By DOTTY DECOSTER

Meadowbrook Pond, located across the street from the Meadowbrook Community Center at NE 107th and 35th NE, looks like an art garden, a wildlife refuge, a restored wetland habitat, and a native plant showcase. It is all of these things. Fundamentally, however, it is part of the Thornton Creek flood control program. Constructed from 1996 to 1998, the plantings are just becoming established and the flood control works fine-tuned. This June, at graduation time, the pond area was "blessed" with graffiti. Meadowbrook Pond is a much loved place.

The nine-acre site has been used in many ways over time. It was originally a wetland providing natural flood control within the watershed. The Lake City Sewerage Treatment Plant was built on the site in 1952 by the Lake City Sewer District to cope with rapid increases in population after World War II. Voters, however, chose a regional approach to sewerage treatment by establishing Metro in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and the plant became redundant. The treatment plant was used as a storage and auto shop facility for Nathan Hale High School. It was not until 1990 that the idea of returning the site to wetland and flood control became visible as the old treatment plant was demolished.

Meadowbrook Pond is a fine example of a constructed urban wetland. It was built and is operated by Seattle Public Utilities. Maintenance is conducted by SPU with the help of many dedicated volunteers. Visitors are welcome during day time hours; please respect the wild flora and fauna by not disturbing the plantings, the animals, and the creek. Drop by the Meadowbrook Community Center and have a look at the large history book if you'd like to see more photographs of the Meadowbrook Pond site over time. (