News~Oct07

October 2007 Mischief Update Walkability Issues NENA Membership Roosevelt Time Garden

On the last blue-sky day before autumn rains began, four moms & eight kids planted perennials along San Francisco.

Above: Maddie Tomala, Leslie Wight & Helena Smith

Lisa Palazzi & Neah Smith

Melinda & Leo Spencer

"Olympia projects aim to encourage walking,"

article in The Olympian, September 24, 2007

Mischief Update (Thefts and Graffiti)

Thefts: Recently, thieves have stolen the gates and plunge locks off the preschool playground and classroom area at Roosevelt. (How pathetic can you get?) Neighbors, we need your help to watch for and REPORT these crimes to the Olympia Police. It is up to all of us to do our part to keep our neighborhood safe for all. Thank you!
Graffiti: You may already be aware of the recent proliferation of graffiti in our neighborhood. NENA Board member Valerie Adrian is leading our neighborhood's response, and will provide additional details soon. In the meantime, we've been working with the Olympia Police Department to do what we can to document and paint over the tags. As stated on the City's graffiti webpage, you can help by:

Reporting suspicious activity by calling the police at 753-8487. It can be difficult to successfully prosecute a graffiti case unless someone actually witnesses the crime in progress. This truly is a crime that the public can help fight by keeping neighborhoods free of graffiti and reporting suspicious activity.

Taking pictures. If you can take pictures of graffiti before it is removed, this will assist the Olympia Police Department. This also helps us gather information about any possible gang activity in the area. You can e-mail us the pictures. Please be sure to include the location of the tagging and the date the pictures were taken.

Walkability Issues
Northeast Olympia Walkaround Guide!
The inaugural version of our Northeast Olympia Walkaround Guide is shaping up! Please check it out and feel free to tell us where your walks take you! Thanks to everyone who has already submitted ideas. I'll be adding a Fun & Fabulous Northeast Gardens Walk soon, and love the idea of a Meet Your Neighbors Walk and Find the Coolest...(leaf, nut, apple, spider web, etc.) walk. Thank you!
Mission Creek Park
On Saturday, October 13th, 10:00 am, one of our neighbors, Tom Badger, lead a tour of the park for over 45 hardy folks. Check out our Photo Gallery!

The Mission Creek Park page on the City's website has been updated with a map that shows all of the new trails, the new entrances, which trail you can ride your bike on, etc.

Roosevelt School Walking Route Map & participation in International Walk to School Day

We prepared a school walking route map based on feedback from parents who completed the School Walking Route Survey last October. However, the Olympia School District did not respond to our requests for permission to distribute the map to all Roosevelt students before our Healthy Steps grant period closed, so we will not be able to get that map out to you this year. In addition, OSD did not respond to our requests for permission to participate in the International Walk to School Day event on October 3, so we will not be participating this year.

Roosevelt Elementary Parking Lot Proposal
At the July 16 meeting of the Olympia School District Board of Directors, NENA received permission to proceed with plans to implement changes to our parking lot so it is safer for pedestrians and less frustrating for parents and bus drivers. Parametrix has finalized engineering drawings, paid for by NENA with funds from our Healthy Steps grant. However, Olympia School District officials have not yet prepared a letter of support so NENA can pursue grant funds to build the new parking lot.

Howard Avenue Neighborhood Connector
NENA hired engineering firm Parametrix to prepare a design for the Howard Ave. trail, which will provide a safe alternative for students and neighbors who walk between East Bay Drive and Reeves Middle School. This work is being supported by our Healthy Steps Active Communities grant from the Thurston County Department of Health. However, we can not proceed any further with this work until we receive a letter of support and a clear process to follow from Olympia School District officials.

NENA Membership
Our next NENA board meeting will be on Wednesday, October 24, 7 pm, at 2013 Bethel Street. If you're interested in specific issues affecting our neighborhood, would like to help NENA accomplish current goals, or lead NENA in new directions, please consider joining us! Yearly dues are just $10.00. However, those who can afford it are welcome to contribute more. If you'd like to join, make a contribution or learn more about NENA, please download our membership letter and brochure then send your completed sign-up form and dues to: