How should The Kirkland Highlands spend the Neighborhood Connection money? Highlands residents have a chance to pick from the many suggestions proposed by neighborhood residents.  The $29,000 neighborhood connections grant is the result of a city program designed to help neighborhoods make improvements which will benefit the entire neighborhood. The reward stipulates volunteers from the neighborhood must help the city to complete any needed work.

There are great choices to pick from.  Below are photos of the the projects up for a vote with a description of each proposal from the Neighborhood Potential Projects. The estimated cost for the project follows the description.

1.  116th Walkway improvement:  widen and place a gravel path along the east side of 116th south of 94th.   $15,000.

2. 116th Walkway Improvements:  Asphalt a portion of the 116th Avenue NE walkway between NE 87th and NE 94th. $8200.

3.  Entrance enhancement:  Enhance the entrance to the Highlands at 116th Ave NE and NE 87th at the curve in the road.  Landscape with drought tolerant plants, and either remove or refurbish kiosk.  $2500.

4.  Entrance Enhancement:  Enhance the entrance to the neighborhood at 112th Ave NE and 87th St. by the railroad tracks.  Landscape with drought tolerant plants, possibly install a Highlands sign, remove or refurbish kiosk.  $7500.

5.  Highlands Park:  Install a fence or barrier to stop balls from rolling into the street.  Block cars from driving on the grass. $3-5000.

6.  Cotton Hill Park: Build raised gravel trail to help keep trail dry year round (approx 750 feet) The trail is used by Kirkland Jr. High students to go to school. $5000.

7.  Cotton Hill Park: Plan and fund Phase Two of park restoration by possible goat rental again (they are here now!), continuing to removing invasive species, and plant native species. $1000- $4,000.

(Even though the Earth Day project is cleaning up Cotton Hill Park, planting will need to be done at a later date)

8.  Spinney Homestead Park:  Remove roots and resurface asphalt walk where damaged along the perimeter walkway.  $2,500.

9.  Cedar View Park:  Remove swings and install a play structure. Play structure to be chosen by neighborhood association along with City’s Park Department.  Swings would be relocated to another city park.  $9-25,000.

10. Forbes Creek Park:  Patch and resurface both the tennis and basketball courts.  The city is scheduled to resurface these courts in 2011-12.  $8900 and $5600 for a total of $14,500.

11. Stairs at Forbes Creek:  Rebuild stairs from north end of 116th down to railroad tracks. Project to include purchase of materials, wood timbers, and gravel. (This would be a volunteer neighborhood work project) $7000.

12. Street light: Add street light along 114th between NE 85th and NE 87th close to neighborhood entrance sign. $6000

13.  Street lights: 115th Pl NE.  two new light poles.  One at the corner of 104th and 115th PL NE and the other at the bottom of the hill.  Contingent on approval of adjacent property owners.  Each pole is $6000.  $12,000 total.

14  Way finding signs for Highlands walk:  Install directional arrow signs and location signs along a selected walking route within neighborhood. $1000- $3000.

These are all good options and it would be great to have many of these projects completed.  My vote goes to the entrance areas by 112th and the corner of 116th and NE 87th.  The weak entrance areas to our neighborhood affect everyone who lives here, taking away from the charm and beauty of the neighborhood. Fresh looking entrances will improve the feel of our neighborhood for all.  Remember to vote for three choices in order of preference.