A Glimpse of Progress on the Project

It's time for "Before" and "After" comparison photos to help us recognize the progress made on this project.  

This photo was taken in January 2018

This photo was taken from the same spot on May 13, 2020

What a difference!  And, all due to volunteers from Rotary and the neighborhood.  Wow!

Semaphore is UP!

Thanks to a donation of a semaphore from Bob Tjossem, volunteers from Kirkland Rotary, and Kevin and his crew at  Apex Steel we now have a semaphore installed at the site!  This was no small task!

First Bob had to locate, purchase, and have the semaphore shipped to Kirkland.  Then  several trusty Kirland Rotarians had to move part of it to the site  and install the base, then move the rest of it to the Apex Steel yard for assembly, then Kevin and his Apex crew moved the assembled semaphore across the street to the site and placed it on the base.  Quite the impressive process!

Rotarians moving Semaphore pieces from storage locker.

And, moving part of the semaphore onto the truck.

Then, installing the base.

David assembling Semaphore in Apex yard.

Kevin and Apex crew installing rest of semaphore on the base.

Semaphore installed!  (thanks to Don Winters for the photo)

More to come:  red, yellow, and green lenses in the signal.

And, watch for signage regarding the native plants and Kirkland's railroad heritage.  Not to mention, a picnic pavillion some day!

Have you checked out the project lately?

Sorry to take so long to bring you up to date on the progress!  Although you will need to actually see the project site to fully appreciate the changes, here's a quick preview:

•  60 feet of railroad track from the CKC is now fully installed!  It was quite the show!

• Most of the split rail fence is up, and the native plant area has been cleared of invasive species.  It now has quite a number of native plants in it with more to come.  This area will be even more impressive when Spring finally arrives and more plants start sprouting leaves.  (A sign identifying the plants in the garden is finished and will be up soon.)

Next steps:

• Installation of various railroad signage and artifacts
• Historical signage explaining the role the railroad has had in Kirkland's history
• Actual installation of the Rotary Central Station picnic pavilion!  (The City hopes to start in March.)

Status Report June 2019

Great news!  David was recently notified that 4Culture has approved the grant request.  That means the project is fully funded!

The City of Kirkland is working on designs for the picnic pavilion and should soon have chosen one.

Meanwhile, watch for action on other parts of the project: actual installation of rails and signal, creation of a native plant garden, historic signs about the role of the railroad in Kirkland, and more!

Thank you for your interest and support.  If you would like to help with the planting or other parts of the project, feel free to email David Aubry at daaubry@hotmail.com.

Project Status - April 2019

The Rotary Pavilion project on the CKC is chugging right along!

1-Kirkland Parks Foundation has reached (exceeded, actually) their funding goal for removal of trees, fencing, native garden (thank you to all the generous donors!)

2-The Rotary Club of Kirkland has completed raising funds for the pavilion structure

3-Rotary District 5030 has awarded a grant to cover 2 picnic tables for the pavilion

4-The rails were moved to the site on April 4th with the help of Rotarians with safety vests and signage in front and in back of the truck. (Here are some photos - it was pretty spectacular!  Those rails weigh almost 1 ton each.)

The rails had been part of  siding behind what is now Chain Line Brewery.

  It just took a bit of digging to get them ready to move.

Moving the rails on the CKC to the project site 

Unloading the rails at the project site.

5-The cottonwood trees (aka giant weeds) are down

Here's what the site looks like now with the trees down.  

Help yourself to some wood!

 (The construction trailer is there for major city work on Kirkland Avenue.)

6-The Rotary Club should hear from 4Culture soon re a grant to cover installation of rails and historic signage

7-David Aubry gave a progress report to the Kirkland City Council on April 16th.

WHEW! (Good work, David!!!!)

Funding Update - Good News!

Good news!  We are close to securing all the funding needed for this project!  We just need your help to finish it off.

Here’s the latest.  TheKirkland Parks Foundation is raising funds so we can remove two large cottonwoods and create a labeled Native Plants Garden with a split-rail fence (using weed-block material to avoid the use of herbicides).  This will cost $3,500, and $1,105 has been pledged so far.

But here’s the great news: If we can raise $1,000 more, an anonymous donor will contribute the remaining $1,395!

So spread the news and go to TheKirkland Parks Foundation and help us raise that $1,000!

More Progress! (March 3, 2019)

Have you been following postings on Kirkland Weblog (https://www.kirklandweblog.com/)?  If you are not familiar with this blog, you really should check it out!  It’s one of the best ways to keep up to date on happenings in Kirkland.  And, the latest posting was all about this project on the CKC!

Further good news:  The Kirkland Parks Foundation (https://www.kirklandparksfoundation.org/) has now raised more than $1,100 towards the CKC Picnic Area Native Vegetation Restoration part of the project.  That’s 30% of their fundraising goal. 

Thanks to both Kirkland Weblog and The Kirkland Parks Foundation for your support and help in getting the word out about this project!