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Public Golf course hearing March 28

The Board of Park Commissioners will hold a public hearing on management of the Cityıs major golf facilities, including Jackson Golf Course in Northeast Seattle, at its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, March 28 at 7 p.m. The hearing will take place in the Parks Department Board Room at 100 Dexter Ave. N.

The hearing will be preceded by brief presentations from Seattle Golf, the non-profit corporation that manages the Cityıs three golf courses, and John Masterjohn, the labor representative for the Cityıs golf course employees.

Seattle Golf operates and develops the Jackson, Jefferson and West Seattle golf courses under an agreement that expires Dec. 31, 2007. Seattle Golf favors assuming responsibility for golf maintenance with City backing of financing for capital improvements. Parks Department staff recommend modifying the current contract, but retaining City responsibility for maintenance. The staff also favors City backing of capital improvements with joint City-Seattle Golf business and capital planning.

Those unable to attend the meeting can send written comments to: Board of Park Commissioners 100 Dexter Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109, or by sending e-mail to michele.daly@ci.seattle.wa.us. Letters can also be faxed to 206-233-7023. For details, call the Parks Department at 684-5066.

Meridian playground dedicated

On March 17, Friends of Meridian Playground hosted a grand opening celebration for the nearly completed renovations at the Meridian Playground, located on the southeast corner of N. 50th Street and Meridian Ave. N, next to the Good Shepherd Center.

The renovation project, which took three years to complete, was funded with a semi-annual matching funds from the Department of Neighborhoods and the Parks Department, and donations from the community. Playground improvements include new play equipment and art installations (created by local artists Kevin Pettelle, Benson Shaw, Lisa Burgess and Patrick Maher.)

For details, call Parks Department project manager Toby Ressler at 615-1482.

Walking tour to view trees at Green Lake

On Saturday, April 13, Seattle Tilth will present a tour of Green Lake parkıs tree collection led by Arthur Lee Jacobson, author of ³Trees of Green Lake.² The tour will take place from 2-4 p.m. The tour costs $14 for Seattle Tilth and PCC Natural Markets members and $18 for non members. Preregistration is required. For details, call 633-0451.

U-Playfield fund drive launched

The Roosevelt Neighborsı Alliance has launched a campaign to raise $35,000 in donations from the community to qualify for neighborhood matching funds from the City to build a new landmark fence at University Playfield. The project would bring art to the University District, as well as improving the playfieldıs ball field and tennis court, according to a flier that is being circulated by the group. The total amount that the group needs to raise for the project from all sources is $380,000. The donations can come in the form of grants, volunteer hours, in-kind donations and neighborhood cash support. The University Playfield is located at NE 50th Street and 9th Avenue NE. The RNA park committee co-chairs are Nancy Bocek and Mary Hausladen. For more information about the project, call 632-7760.