It was uplifting to see the many people who came to Kirkland’s Earth Day (with goats) event. When I left my house in Juanita to walk to Cotton Hill Park in the Highlands, I stepped over some small snow patches in my yard and looked at the dark gray clouds hovering above, wondering if people would attend the carefully-planned event. When I arrived, a few minutes late, there were already over 100 people anxious to start work. Later I was told the final number was close to 150.

In addition to the people who cleared a huge swath of invasive blackberries along the steps descending to the railroad tracks, 60 happy goats were clearing an area on the south side of the park. In total, people and animals cleared about 20,000 square feet of blackberries that had choked out the native vegetation.

This event is worth noting not only to thank the many who came out for Earth Day, but to acknowledge how this event came to be. In the past such events were planned and organized by the City of Kirkland. This event was different. The neighborhood initiated it, and they worked in collaboration with the city.

In the Spring of 2006, Leslie Batten from the Cascade Land Conservancy spoke to the Highlands neighborhood association about how invasive plants are destroying the city’s urban forests. Cotton Hill Park was on the list of parks targeted for invasive species removal, but it was low on the priority list. The neighborhood showed interest in restoring the park and building trails there.

In the fall Sharon Rodman, Kirkland’s outreach and education specialist, and Jason Filan, Kirkland’s park operations manager, met on-site with Highlands community activists and agreed to start working on Cotton Hill Park. The goal for 2008 was to hold two or three restoration events and do trail work. The Highlands agreed to help with publicity and provide logistical support and refreshments for events.

Since the neighborhood felt it was overwhelming to remove two acres of blackberries with just people power, they asked the city to use some of the grant money to hire goats. Intrigued with the idea the city agreed. Because the Highlands neighborhood showed a commitment to help with planning, organizing and getting volunteers, the city proposed that Cotton Hill Park host the 2008 Earth Day event. They also proposed a July 12 restoration event and a planting event later in 2008 or 2009.

In February, March and April the Highlands neighborhood got busy preparing for the event. They hosted a planning meeting with a small group and invited Sharon to help them create a list of action items. The neighborhood sent out e-mails and a flyer informing people about the event and asking for help with specific tasks. One resident sent over 100 handwritten notes to his neighbors introducing himself and asking people to support the event. Local newspapers and TV were contacted. KING 5 ran a nice news story a few days before Earth Day and KOMO ran a great ad for the event.

It was a wonderful success; not only was half an acre of blackberries removed, but, as I saw it, the many volunteers were pleased to see the progress and impact they were making. I believe many of the young people were very proud of their work, and they should be.

Such an event builds a real “sense of community” and makes Kirkland a better place to live. It was a great way to meet new people in the neighborhood and in the city.

Now, wouldn’t it be nice if every day were Earth Day?

For those who would like to join our next event, we will have an invasive plant pull at Watershed Park in Houghton on Saturday, May 10, from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information visit www.greenkirkland.org.

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