Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Natural Areas topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge city to adopt Penny Creek Natural Area; volunteers request written agreement and entrance fixes
Summary
Two residents and a nascent stewardship group asked the council to accept the Penny Creek Natural Area as a city park, provide written documentation of land use arrangements, address a frequently flooded entrance and communicate a long‑term plan.
David Scudder, a Mill Creek resident, and Jeff Doan, organizer of the Friends of Penny Creek Natural Area, urged the council during public comment to accept the Penny Creek parcel as a city park and to provide clearer documentation and support for volunteers.
Scudder said he has spoken to the council about Penny Creek several times since 2011 and thanked the Farm LLC, the Mill Creek Planning Commission and Kiwanis for contributions to the site. He said the farm committed to maintaining the area for five years and that that period is “close to being complete.”
Jeff Doan identified himself as a resident of the Northpointe community and said the Friends group now has “over a 25 local community members” and that the natural area provides low‑maintenance habitat and educational opportunities. Doan asked the city to publicly document the arrangements and any conditions governing use of the land, to resolve the entrance off 30 Fifth Avenue — which he said is frequently impassable because of flooding — and to communicate a clear long‑term plan so volunteers can support and steward the site.
Doan’s description for the location was: “the area that's East Of 30 Fifth and South Of 130 Second for identification purposes.” He told the council the group can provide volunteer support and requested a written reference to clarify responsibilities and conditions of use.
Mayor and staff responded that the issue is on staff’s radar, that the city manager has an upcoming meeting with Mr. Pattison from the farm, and that staff expect to bring the subject back to the council in the weeks ahead. The council made no formal action at the meeting.
Residents and volunteers framed three concrete requests: 1) a written description of property status and terms of use, 2) remediation or design work to address the 30 Fifth Avenue entrance flooding and emergency access, and 3) communication of the city’s long‑term plan for the site so volunteers can partner with staff.
The council’s staff indicated follow‑up meetings and future consideration; no formal transfer or park acceptance occurred at the meeting.
