Volunteers needed to complete planting project at Auburn’s Environmental Park

Published 6:27 pm Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Auburn’s newest treasure is taking shape.

Construction on the city’s first elevated boardwalk in a wetland is progressing with more than 400 feet of the 1,200-square-foot boardwalk completed in the City-owned and -operated Auburn Environmental Park (AEP).

The boardwalk will traverse the park between West Main Street and the City’s existing bird viewing tower on Western Avenue Northwest, which opened last year.

As part of this project, the City is in the process of planting 2,500 native trees and shrubs in the park to enhance habitat and buffer the park interior from the noise and glare of State Route 167. Last Saturday, 36 volunteers helped plant 650 plants. Another planting party is Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m.

Anyone interested in helping, please join other volunteers at the bird viewing tower entrance on the west of Western Avenue Northwest, approximately a quarter-mile north of its intersection with West Main Street. The weather is expected to be rainy and cool, so please plan to dress warmly and bring rain gear, boots and gloves as the ground is wet and there is standing water in some places. The plan is to plant 1,200 willow stands and approximately 1,000 plants. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

The boardwalk is anticipated to be open to the public at the end of November. The boardwalk will feature three viewing platforms that will provide visitors with places to stop and stand, observe, learn, or just sit and relax as they take in all that the park has to offer. Boardwalk amenities will include interpretive signage, benches, bicycle racks, and a small picnic area at the Western Avenue entrance. Funding for this project is through a State of Washington grant with matching City dollars.

For more information on the boardwalk and planting project and the park, contact Jamie Kelly, environmental planner, at 253-804-5092 or jkelly@auburnwa.gov.