On Monday, March 6, 2017, the Area Council held its regular monthly meeting. Topics included: (1) Communication with the Public and (2) Ravensdale Community Park and Meadow.
Communication with the Public
The Area Council has maintained a comprehensive web site for many years (www. greatermaplevalleyareacouncil.org). Our site provides the Public with many useful pieces of information on not only Area Council activities, but pertinent information on State, Regional, and County plans, decisions, and laws that affect Rural Area citizens.
An effort has commenced to enhance our web site to provide members of the public opportunities to communicate directly with us between our regular monthly meetings. This will include conducting our Biannual Elections and Citizen Survey online.
Please continue to visit our web site as we make enhancements to even better serve Rural Area citizens.
Ravensdale Community Park and Meadow
The Ravensdale Community Meadow is a partnership between the Ravensdale Park Foundation and King County Parks. Over the past few years, with input from local residents, an open area has been created on the land between the Ravensdale Post Office and the Fire Station for residents to enjoy.
Progress to date has included a graveled parking area; a rail fence; a 4-ft wide Meadow History Trail around the perimeter; a variety of Ravensdale History Interpretive Signs along the trail; and a kiosk at the entrance of the trail with key maps and historical photos.
A Community Meeting will be held on Saturday, March 25, from 3:00 – 4:30 PM at the Gracie Hansen Community Center at 27132 SE Ravensdale Way in Ravensdale. King County Parks and representatives from the Ravensdale Park Foundation will discuss Phase 3, improvements to the Ravensdale Park and Meadow and specifically desires public input on Phase 3 improvements, so it can proceed with planning, funding and permitting.
There are two parts to Phase 3 with the biggest to: (1) replace the existing grass baseball fields by Gracie Hansen with a large, multi-purpose, turfed field with field lighting; (2) greatly expand parking by creating a 140-vehicle parking lot between Gracie Hansen and 272nd St which runs through the Park by the Post Office; and (3) control truck traffic through the Park on 272nd St (e.g., close street; construct round-a-bout; install speed bumps; prohibit truck traffic through Park; other?). The second, much smaller, part of Phase 3 is to construct two Picnic Shelters and widen the History Trail to 8 ft. around the perimeter of the Community Meadow. All members of the public are invited and comments and questions are encouraged to help with the Plan.
Next Area Council Meeting
Monday, April 3, from 7:00 – 9:00 PM, at the Fire Station located at the SE corner of SE 231st St & SR-169 intersection. All members of the Public are welcome to attend.
Our Guest Speaker will be Bob Burns, Deputy Director of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP), who will discuss identifying existing County lands with high conservation value.
Meetings are held the first non-holiday Monday of each month. A Public Comment period at the beginning of each meeting provides an opportunity to voice issues of concern to Area Council members and government officials in attendance.
Your Area Council serves as an all-volunteer, locally elected advisory body to King County on behalf of all rural unincorporated area residents living in the Tahoma School District. Please visit: www. greatermaplevalleyareacouncil.org.
*** NOTE: Four positions are open on the 16-member Area Council. If you live in the Tahoma School District outside the City of Maple Valley (see Service Area Map on our web site), you are invited to apply to become a member by sending a letter of interest to GMVUAC, P. O. Box 111, Maple Valley, WA 98038 or attend our next monthly meeting. ***
