Now that we’ve “Got the Grant”, I thought I’d explain in more detail what we’re planning to do with the money and how YOU can become a part of this project!

The project: we will be installing three, 5′ diameter/17″ deep Dura Art Stone planters in the north and south end of each median on 14^th Ave NW between NW 59^th St and NW 63^rd St. These planters will be planted and maintained by community volunteer stewards including neighbors, local school groups, and community organization members. School groups will be creating artwork and growing plants, in addition to plant donations from local businesses. The plants will be watered by contract during the first year of establishment, but we’d like to eventually harvest our own water.  Local businesses, individuals and groups will sponsor individual planters in future years to support watering costs during summer months.

Here’s a more detailed work plan to get you thinking about how you’d like to become involved. Don’t miss our kickoff event on December 16th!

December 16th, 2009 – Planter Partnerships Kickoff event 6:30 pm at Nervous Nellie’s Espresso Company 1556 NW 56th St. Like all great projects, ours is starting with a fun and informative kickoff! This event will give you the opportunity to learn more about this project, meet your neighbors, local businesses, schools and organizations who have already pledged their support, and choose how you will contribute to the success of this project. There’ll even be supervised child care at this event!

Mid January 2010 – Collaborate with St Alphonsus Elementary School students to design and create art that will be installed in the planters. We’d like to see this collaboration as an ongoing project with these students so that we can display different art pieces on a regular basis. If you’re an artist, this would be a great opportunity for you to get into the classroom and inspire these kids! We have budget in our grant to kickoff the first art project.

End January 2010 – Kickoff a plant growing program with the Ballard High School Horticulture program. The high school has a great horticulture program and the students are excited about getting involved in a project that is close to school that they can take pride in.

End February 2010 – Meet with plant donors and consultants to develop a plant list, layout and maintenance plan. Swanson’s Nursery has generously pledged $1,000 wholesale worth of plants. We’re also getting help from local professionals, like Plant Amnesty and Seasonal Color Pots for plant selection and maintenance advice.

Februrary/March 2010 – Work with Plant Amnesty and Seattle Department of Transportation to develop a planter steward program.

End March 2010 – Install new gravel in the median ends. Thank you to Salmon Bay Sand and Gravel for their generous gravel donation! We will also be digging out the weeds beforehand, so look for a notice in March for a work party!

Early April 2010 – Planters arrive and get filled with soil. Thank-you to SDOT for donating the planters, and to Pacific Topsoils and Cedar Grove Composting for their offer to donate potting soil!

April 17th, 2010 – Planter steward training and planting event, in conjunction with Adopt A Street Cleanup. We will also have a celebration lunch/party afterward & thank-you to Department of Neighborhoods, volunteers, and  donors. This will also be the kickoff for our planter steward training.

April – October 2010 – Establish plants through the first summer with scheduled watering service, and continued community stewardship per the established program. Our grant covers cost for the first year of watering. We’re looking for a way to harvest our own water for the planters for the following years. If you have ideas, we’d love to get you involved!

If you’d like to find out more about this project, make sure to attend our Kickoff event on Dec 16th! If you can’t make it, but want to find out more, please contact me (Dawn Hemminger) at eastallard@gmail.com.