By LEAH WEATHERSBY

The Seattle Parks Department has earmarked $70,000 to clean up Licton Springs Park and would like the public's help in how that money should be spent.

Licton Springs Park, which is bordered by N. 95th on the south, N. 97th on the north, Ashworth Avenue on the west and Densmore Avenue on the east, includes the stream for which the park and surrounding neighborhood is named after, a playground on the park's east side, and wetlands area that includes trees and other vegetation.

Over the years, portions of the park have become overrun with invasive non-native plants, including blackberry vines and reed canary grass, which the Parks Department would like removed. Some silver maples near the playground also need to be removed because they pose a potential hazard, according to Jenny Benz, an urban forester with the Parks Department.

Benz said she hopes to start planting more desirable native plants in the wetlands area next spring. The Parks Department would like suggestions from the public on what plants should be planted as well as ideas on other ways the money allocated for cleaning up the park should be spent.

A $70,000 budget "for this size of park, that's a lot of money," said Benz, who noted that Licton Springs Park has been given the same budget for its cleanup that has been allocated for a similar project at Discovery Park, which is several times as big.

The Parks Department will hold a meeting on Thursday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m. at Wilson Pacific School (1330 N. 90th, Building 300, Room 307) to discuss the Licton Springs Park clean up. For more information, including the time of the meeting, contact Jenny Benz at 206-233-5019.

In related news, Treemendous Seattle, a nonprofit organization based at Sand Point, is planning to get the ball rolling on cleaning up Licton Springs Park with a work party on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 9:30 a.m.-noon. Volunteers are encouraged come help remove invasive vegetation. Tools and gloves will be provided by Treemendous. For details about the work party, contact Katie Moller of Treemendous Seattle at 206-985-6867.