Bike Share Expo

Many have heard of bike sharing from stories about Paris’ Velib or Washington, DC’s SmartBike, but wondered how it actually works. In Paris, Montreal, Washington, DC, and other regions around the world, people are using bike share systems as a new mobility option.

To learn more about bike share systems, King County is hosting three bike share providers in Seattle on August 11^th and in Redmond on August 12^th. These vendors will show you their newest bike share systems, including bikes and stations, and allow you to experience one of the hottest trends in mobility.

• Tuesday, August 11, 10 am - 6pm, Discovery Center (101 Westlake Ave. N), South Lake Union
• Wednesday, August 12, Noon - 8 pm , Redmond Town Center

This event is brought to you by King County, the City of Seattle, the City of Redmond, Vulcan, Redmond Town Center and Cascade Bicycle Club.

So bring your helmet, try out a bike, and learn more about bike sharing. Spread the word and hope to see you there! Click here or call (206) 263-6230 for more information about the Bike Share Expo.

Sustainable Kirkland Volunteers hard at work at Kirkland Uncorked!

Thanks to everyone who volunteered to direct people to properly compost and recycle. Your efforts were greatly appreciated by the Uncorked Festival and the City of Kirkland.

Kirkland Uncorked is this weekend

Join volunteers from Sustainable Kirkland this weekend at the Kirkland Uncorked festival in Marina Park: a festival of art, food, wine, music, and lifestyle.

The festival promenade is free and open to the public. A fee is required for entry to the tasting area, and a portion of the proceeds benefit the Hope Heart Institute.

To support sustainability efforts at the festival, Sustainable Kirkland volunteers will be staffing the composting stations inside the tasting area. Stop by to learn more about our group!

Images courtesy of Kirkland Uncorked

Kirkland walking map posted for comments

Feet First is creating a walking map of Kirkland in partnership with the City of Kirkland and community members. The draft map is now up for comment. See the maps and contact information at http://www.feetfirst.info/mapping.

Comments are due by July 20.

Introduction to GIS course offered in Kirkland - Friday, July 17

Mapping Washington Communities Workshop: An Introduction to GIS & Community Analysis
Friday, July 17
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Computer Classrooms in Seattle
Kirkland, WA

Registration fee.
More info: http://www.nur-online.com/

July 9th meeting notes

Here are some highlights from our July 9th meeting. It was a great evening at Doug and Eileen's!

1) Trails Connection Proposal:

TJ Davis of the King County Parks Department talked about the Community Partnership Grants Program. These grants are given to community organizations and range from a few hundred to $250,000. He assured us that his office will work with us in planning a scope of work, getting permissions and easements, and breaking the project into pieces. He brought a GIS layered map of the 3 parks (St. Edwards, Big Finn Hill, and O.O. Denny). According to the map, it looks like most of the trail building will happen in the middle "skinny" section of Big Finn Hill.

Next steps: Getting a more detailed map with a topographic-layer incorporated (Eileen). Scouting out the trails in the field. Assessing what needs to be done and possibly contacting a trails organization to see exactly how to build a trail. Trail reconnaissance will be on Saturday, July 25 at 9 am. Location TBA.

2) Kirkland Uncorked
Sandy recapped the composting guidelines. At the festival, there will be 4 waste stations, with 3 bins each. There will be signs with velcroed items on them to use as a composting guideline. Wine glasses can't be recycled, but can be reused and can be brought to the entrance if attendants don't want them. When volunteering, check in first with the Volunteer station, and then at the City of Kirkland booth for supplies.

3) Blog
Jackie asked the group to send any interesting blog material to her. This might be anything related to sustainability in the Kirkland area. Also, we need more pictures taken of our group. Please bring cameras to events.

4) Bike Share
Eileen announced that there will be a King County Bike Share demonstration on August 11 at the Discovery Center in Seattle and on August 12 at the Redmond Town Center.

5) Other ideas
Torrey suggested a discussion on Resilient Communities.

6) Next Meeting
The next meeting will be on August 13 at Juanita Beach Park.

Next meeting: Thursday, July 9

Sustainable Kirkland's next meeting is set for Thursday, July 9 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in Juanita. Please e-mail info@sustainablekirkland.org if you are interested in attending, and to receive specific directions.