PARKS

The Haller Lake Community Service Committee volunteers provide services to benefit our community. People become involved in community service for a wide range of reasons. For some, serving their community is a way to simply give back to their community. The term "community service" refers to projects that members of an organization perform for the betterment of the community. Examples of community service projects include (but are not limited to): Providing transportation to those in need, grocery shopping, pharmacy etc., cleaning a park, providing food or clothing to the homeless, hold a clothing drive for the needy, reading, singing or just visiting people in nursing homes or hospitals, helping a local school by regularly donating supplies for needy students, joining a Block Watch program in your neighborhood.

We welcome your suggestions and assistance so please feel free to contact us.

The Haller Lake Garden Club celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2006. We still have eight active charter members. Over the years, we have changed from a monthly meeting to four times a year.  We have had guest speakers and gardeners who demonstrated various gardening techniques. For the last few years we have been more out and about, visiting wonderful and amazing gardens all over the Seattle area and vicinity from Heronswood on Bainbridge Island to Bastyr College Herb Garden, and all places in between. In the spring, we have our Annual Plant Share and Potluck. Anyone who has a surplus of plants can bring them for members, neighbors, or visitors, to take home. We also have hands-on projects, usually in the fall.  We have made everything from Backyard Blackberry Brandy to Mason Bee Condos. We welcome anyone who loves nature, the beauty of gardens, and/or curiosity about all things growing.  You don't have to be a gardener to enjoy gardens!

The Membership Chairperson/Committee is responsible for collecting and recording the yearly membership dues. We track by type – single, family, business, etc. and compile membership information such as: name, address, email, phone, length of continuous membership (Life Members). Periodically we mail new homeowners in the neighborhood an invitation to join the HLCC. We are looking for additional help to brainstorm and implement ideas for recruiting new members.

Velva Maye is our Haller Lake community representative in the Northgate Stakeholders Group. There are 22 seats on the Northgate Stakeholders Group, representing community groups, businesses, Simon Properties group, King County/Metro, major institutions in the area, condominium owners, labor, senior citizens, and youth. The chair is Dr. Ronald H. LaFayette, President of North Seattle Community College.

The Northgate Stakeholders Group was formed in February of 2004 as a result of the agreement reached in December 2003 by Mayor Nickels, the Seattle City Council, and members of the Northgate community, and represents a wide range of interests in the revitalization of Northgate.

The group has advised the City on: the Thornton Creek Water Quality Channel, a plan for open space and pedestrian connections, the 5th Ave. NE Streetscape Design, integration of Northgate Area Comprehensive Plan elements into the City of Seattle Comprehensive Plan, the public involvement plan and baseline assumptions for the Seattle Department of transportation’s Coordinated Transportation Investment Plan, Northgate Mall Redevelopment, and Northgate Common (the Lorig mixed use project with ERA Care senior housing).

Stakeholders are preparing to give further advice on the Coordinated Transportation Improvement Plan, and to continue monitoring current projects.

The Northgate Stakeholders group holds community forums from time to time to update the public on their work and gather public opinion on major projects coming to the Northgate area.

Our representative to the Northwest District Council is Dave Nurney. The Northwest District Council is one of thirteen District Councils. A representative from each District Council serves on the City Neighborhood Council, which is under the Department of Neighborhoods in Seattle city government. The City Neighborhood Council (CNC) is a citizen-led advisory group, comprised of
elected members from each of the City’s 13 Districts, organized under the authority of Seattle City Council Resolution 27709 in October, 1987. Subsequent resolutions have refined or altered this initial resolution. They are Resolutions 28115 December, 1989; Resolution 28948 in July, 1994; and Resolution 29015 October, 1994.*

The CNC's purpose is to provide citywide coordination for the Neighborhood Matching Fund, Neighborhood Budget Prioritization, and Neighborhood Planning programs.

The CNC also provides a forum for a discussion of common neighborhood
issues and is available for advice on policies necessary for the effective and equitable implementation of the Neighborhood Planning and Assistance Program. Its monthly meetings are open to the public.

The Northwest District Council meets once a month on Wednesday at the Greenwood Neighborhood Service Center, 8515 Greenwood Ave. N.