Damage to Amon plant restoration area

From Kathy Dechter:


I’ve just returned from replacing the wooden stakes/red ribbons marking the walking path on the side of the Amon plant restoration area. Most were yanked out and thrown out into the shrub-steppe. This is the third time I’ve done so this week.



Kids are also riding their bikes and motorbikes right through the middle of the restored plants. I am very worried about what may happen during all the nice upcoming spring afternoons/ weekends.



In late November, Tapteal Greenway spent over $2250 to purchase native plants, not to mention the nearly 40 volunteers who gave a day to help to plant them.



Willowbrook parents—We desperately need your help! Please keep track of where your kids are after school and on weekends. Do not allow them to damage/vandalize this fragile area.



If we are all vigilant, we can ALL enjoy the benefits of this beautiful wetland area in the heart of the Amon Basin Community Preserve.

If you see/suspect any illegal activity, call the Richland Police Dispatch line at 628-0333, and also call me at 627-0950.



Kathy Dechter

627-0950

Kdechter@charter.net

Photos from last weekend

Amon Creek Preserve Restoration Update

Willowbrookers--Treat yourselves to a visit to Amon Creek Natural Preserve to see the plant restoration work just finished! On Saturday, Nov. 28, more than 35 intrepid volunteers –including some from Tapteal Greenway, Friends of Amon, Team Battelle, and the Restorative Community Service Crew--planted 263 healthy young specimens of native vegetation selected by Tapteal’s own Dr. Ed Rykiel.

Remember, everyone in Willowbrook benefits from having Amon Basin Community Preserve at our doorsteps. Please help to protect this incredible natural asset.

Here’s the list of new plants:

25 Red Osier Dogwood 30 Black Cottonwood
30 Sagebrush 30 Rabbit brush
20 Bitter brush 30 Currant
50 Globe Mallow 30 Basin Wild Rye
6 Smooth Sumac 6 Mock Orange
6 Blue Elderberry

The largest concentration of these is along the old roadbed running N-S along the large wetlands just north of the KID Pumphouse and pond. You can park on Center Drive and walk down: look for the sawhorses and yellow pennants, and of course, stay on the marked trail. Bright pink flags also mark plants and the many cages built and installed Saturday to protect young trees from hungry beavers.

You’ll find many more of these pink-ribboned beaver-proof cages ringing the large ponds at the far south end of the Preserve all the way south to the “Yellow Gate” access road (at the Kiosk off Leslie).

And as you hike, please stay alert for off-road motorized vehicles—motorbikes, snowmobiles, ATVs. These are illegal in the Amon Creek Natural Preserve because they irreparably damage Amon’s delicate lands and vegetation. Report ANY violation by calling the Police non-emergency number at (628-0333). We encourage you to program that number into your cell. Please call Kathy at 627-0950 so we can follow up. If you see damage (shudder!), we also need to know that.

Next summer, we’ll need folks to water our new plants—many hands make light work. Can you help? If so, please call or email me at kdechter@charter.net or call Scott Woodward (627-3621).

Thank you!
Kathy Dechter
627-0950

HALLOWEEN PORTRAITS

MICHAEL KLOTH is offering Halloween portraits to Willowbrook neighbors & trick or treaters in our neighborhood again this year. His studio will be set up in his garage at
318 Piper St. Permission slips signed by the parents or guardians will be required and they can be downloaded at: http://michaelklothphotography.com/TrickOrTreatPermission.pdf.
He is offering 5x7 prints for $20 ($21.65 with tax). Payments can be made with Visa, MasterCard, cash or checks payable to Michael Kloth Photography. Larger prints are available upon request. Proceeds will benefit the Tapteal Greenway Association.

2009 Halloween Parade & Hot Dog Feed

Attention Ghosts and Goblins! Our annual costume parade around Willowbrook will start promptly at 5:00p.m. on Eastwood between Rocky Mtn. Ct. and Sitka Ct. and led by the RICHLAND FIRE DEPT.
Chad & Bonnie Mitchell will host the Hot Dog feed this year at 305 Piper St. immediately following the parade.
The parade route: walk north on Eastwood, turn left at Piper St., follow it around Willowbrook Ave., left onto Center Blvd., and left back to Eastwood. Take the walk-through to Scouler Ct. and left on Piper St. The Mitchell house is the 2nd house on the left.
Willowbrook residents are free. Visiting friends, please donate $1. per person.
Children, please bring your parents- we'd like to see them in costume, too! As always, we have the cut-through at Willowbrook Ave. to Rocky Mtn. Ct. for those little ones that can't walk as far. THIS year, we will have a scary walk-through to Scouler Ct. on our way to the Mitchells- don't miss it!
And if you would like to volunteer to help set-up, serve, or clean up, contact Gayle, Lara or Bonnie at 396-6373.
If you haven't purchased your Trick or Treat candy yet, please consider buying candy made in the USA for everyones safety. Speaking of safety, remember to have something reflective on your little goblins.
There will be a Community newsletter for you to take home from the Mitchells. It has our 2010 event dates and dues information.
Thank you for joining-your donation helps us fund all these great events!!

Kids Opportunity

Kids who live around Amon Basin who would like to learn about the flora and fauna with some scientists on a regular basis (say, once a month ), please contact Alex Amonette @ 509-943-0705

New Site for the Willowbrook Homeowners Association

Our new link is http://willowbrook-hoa.blogspot.com/


The Willowbrook Homeowners Association has a new website. Go to this site for neighborhood governance issues, such as:
Community news
How to contact the Willowbrook Homeowners Board
Minutes of Board meetings
How to contact the Architectural Control Committee
Willowbrook Covenants and By-Laws

The Willowbrook Community Club website (this BLOGSPOT) remains the go-to spot for social events around the neighborhood.