We are excited to have wrapped up the first phase of the creek restoration project! We have submitted our grant documents to close out our TWIG funding. We plan to apply for future TWIG funds. We thank everyone who helped during this past year and are proud to have planted around 1850 plants, covering more than 2500 square feet of mostly denuded ground, along 500 linear feet of the creek.
As we continue our work, you may note dead, brown patches along the creek. In April, the HOA hired a certified environmental firm, Plantscapes NW, to spray the reed canary grass. This grass may seem pretty in the summer (green and lush), but, in fact, it is an invasive plant that will take over. It spreads quickly and is very hard to eradicate. Eliminating this invasive species will be a long process. We have completed the first steps: whacking the grass down so it could be sprayed, and then the spraying. We have been sowing seeds so that a native annual grass (slender hair grass) will fill-in over the summer. Thus, hopefully you may soon notice brown areas gradually turning green.
In late summer we will cut the reed canary grass back before the seeds mature to prevent re-seeding and this fall Plantscapes NW will return to spray a second time. Next spring (2027), Plantscapes NW will spray the reed canary grass for a third time. If our efforts are successful, we will then be able to plant perennial native grasses and shrubs in these areas, continuing the creek restoration effort.
We plan to focus our developmental efforts on the area just south of the SW Village Lane bridge. This is a highly visible, large, open area that allows for wildlife viewing. Over the next few years, we hope to transform this area. With the help of an environmental consultant, we plan to develop a vision and design to make this a true amenity that is accessible and showcases the native plants of our region. We will keep the neighborhood informed and post all plans on the creek website, here.
Stay tuned for meetings and other opportunities to stay informed, stay involved, volunteer, and contribute your ideas and thoughts on the creek restoration. (Posted May 31, 2026)
