Responding to advocacy from Thornton Creek Alliance, the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department is seeking funds to acquire the pieces for a new, two-acre natural area along Willow Creek, just north and east of the Shanty Tavern, at 9002 Lake City Way NE.
In March, Seattle Parks included the acquisition on a short list of projects it submitted to King County for funding from the Conservation Futures program. Seattle Parks Sustainability Strategic Advisor and Communicator Todd Burley expressed confidence that the funding will be provided.
Five years ago, during an analysis of potential acquisition opportunities across the entire Thornton Creek watershed, TCA identified this site as its top priority because of its size, lack of any development, and the lengthy reach of Willow Creek running through it.
The acquisition could potentially be made at a cost of less than $250,000. The largest parcel, almost one acre, is owned by John Spaccarotelli, who also owns the Shanty Tavern. The parcel includes part of Willow Creek, adjacent riparian and wetland areas, and part of the tavern’s parking lot.
Mr. Spaccarotelli said that he would be happy to trade the natural portion of this parcel for the unused City right-of-way that currently occupies the western portion of his tavern’s parking lot. If that does not prove feasible, he is open to selling the natural portion of the site directly to the City.
A second parcel for the acquisition, nestled in a corner of Mr. Spaccarotelli’s parcel along Ravenna Ave NE, was recently taken off the market after more than two years, even after its asking price was reduced from $135,000 to $90,000. It is assessed for $6,600. Most of the rest of the site is made up of SDOT or WSDOT right-of-way.
Currently, knotweed infests much of the border of the site, especially along the edges of the Shanty Tavern’s parking lot and along Ravenna Ave NE. The Thornton Creek Noxious Weeds Knockout Project, initiated by TCA and now led by the nonprofit Forterra, began treating knotweed on the site last year and should make substantially more progress treating it later this year.
Healthy patches of skunk cabbage (with the large green leaves and bright yellow spathe enclosing its flowers) are found near the creek on this site. There is also a substantial amount of willow, salmonberry, and osoberry in the uplands, along with nonnative blackberry and ivy.
With the knotweed, blackberry, and ivy removed and native vegetation restored and expanded, this site could be a beautiful “Gateway to Lake City” and a major amenity for the surrounding neighborhood. While passage obstacles downstream make it questionable that anadromous fish would be able to occupy the site, it could provide healthy and productive habitat for birds and other wildlife.
