A journey into community engagement, restoration, and stewardship "t'aqa park"

In the 38 years since George Gregory first founded Kaleidoscope Landscape Inc., he has wanted to do something not only to give back to the city where he runs a business but to a larger part of the community that he calls home. George has been searching for a project that many people would be able to enjoy, that would make a positive impact on the environment, and that would provide fulfillment and learning opportunities for all who wanted to get involved.

George's vision came to light through the diligent work of Katie McGowan, Kaleidoscope's Training and Education Manager, who, after contacting multiple organizations, heard back from Kirk Peterson, Shoreline parks Superintendent, and Joseph Callaghan, Urban Forester for the City of Shoreline. Kirk and Joseph had just the space in mind for us: Darnell Park (which we have respectfully dubbed t'aqa Park). Darnell, more green space than a park, needed extensive restoration work.

Darnell Park is located on what is now known as the Boing Creek basin; the length of the main stem of Boeing Creek is approximately 1.55 miles long – measured from the beginning of the identifiable channel at the intersection of Carlyle Road and Greenwood Avenue North to its confluence with Puget Sound.

Darnell Park is also located on the Interurban Trail, which runs between Seattle and Everett, stitching together a dense residential and commercial patchwork that the original electric railway helped to grow in the early part of the 20th century. The 24-mile trail also goes through the communities of Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace, Edmonds, and Lynnwood. The rail trail is a 10- to 12-foot-wide paved path that travels through park or greenbelt settings. Several long sections rolled adjacent to noisy Interstate 5, which replaced the railway corridor.

The groundbreaking went well; it was all about grubbing the invasive Blackberry on the West side of the park near the entrance. The next step will be to put down a layer of landscape cardboard, then a layer of bark mulch as a preventative measure to stop the Blackberry from returning. We’ve also decided to increase our visit intervals at the park to stay on top of the Blackberry regrowth throughout the park; then, we will be able to move on to the care of the other areas of concern.

Kaleidoscope's goal in partnering with the City of Shoreline is that this Greenspace Park is restored to its native and natural state and will be an accessible and inviting place to be enjoyed by the whole community.

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