Our Accomplishments

May 2009 Happenings of NWONA...

NWONA receives grant monies from the city to create a pocket park

The NWONA Board of directors applied for and obtained a city of Olympia Sustainability Grant. We will use the $1825.00, as our grant proposal states to "Enhance neighborhood livability, spirit of community and sense of place by converting a weed-infested city parcel into a community-building gathering spot and pocket park." The location of the pocket park is on the corner of Thomas and Madison, across from the playfield at Garfield Elementary School and very much in the center of the Westside neighborhood.

The money will be used to purchase materials for a community informational kiosk, build benches to host informal gatherings as well as workshops on community sustainability, and develop a handicap accessible path along Madison to connect up with the existing sidewalk. The grant monies must be spent by the end of November and the association will be planning work parties during the spring, summer, and fall. If you would like to volunteer for this project, you may call Robin at 352-3046. Special thanks goes out to Thera Black for writing a grant that so well expressed our desires for the area, and for doing it in such a very timely manner!

Recently: NWONA held their Annual Earth Day Plant Exchange at the Westside Co-op on Sunday, April 19, from 10:30-3:00. Several folks stopped by the table and either brought plants to leave for others or picked up new plants to take home! It was a very friendly mellow day and many plants found new homes--especially strawberries, spearmint, columbine and peas. Watch for this same event next Earth Day! Come share nature's bounty with your neighbors!

An added bonus at this year's plant exchange was a table set up for the Sustaining Fund. Two NWONA members played guitars and chatted with folks about the amazing Sustaining Fund program which helps fund various community non-profits. One of the main ways the Sustaing Fund is sustained, is by Co-op shoppers "rounding up" their bill when they buy their groceries. The extra change goes to the Sustaining Fund and twice a year, a Board of Directors votes on which projects get their funds! It's a great thing so next time you shop, tell the cashier to "round up" for the Sustaining Fund!

Since its inception. NWONA has been involved in:

• Advocating for and reviewing Traffic Calming projects in our neighborhood
• Sucessfully lobbying for sidewalks and pedestrian improvements
• Planning and participation in Garfield Nature Trail native plant restoration efforts
• Building an association information kiosk at Garfield Nature Trail
• Reviewing development plans that affect our neighborhood
• Disseminating information about important community meetings
• Co-sponsoring events like:
  • Plymouth & Madison Street Party
  • Rogers & Conger Street Tree Planting Projects
• Planning fun and informative Quarterly Meetings on topics such as:
  • NW Neighborhood History Slideshow
  • City Sidewalk Program
  • Intersection Repair
  • Stormwater Environmental Impacts
  • Forum for Candidates for Political Office
  • Crime Prevention
  • Emergency Preparedness
• ... and a whole lot more, so please join the association!

Left to Right: Hugh O'Neil, Larry Leveen, and Paul Brewster at the Olympia-Yoshiro Friendship (4th Ave) Bridge Cutting Ceremony