Mosaic update!

The mosaic work for our P-Patch sign is coming along beautifully, thanks to Vicki and Cheryl! Vicki sends us these pictures from the work parties held on Nov 26 and Dec 7.

Here is the progress of the mosaic to date! Beautiful, isn't it? I've tried to get the colors to match from picture to picture, but they might be different in reality.



The volunteer group (Cheryl, Vicki, Paula, Jack) at work!

Beckey and Toby working away on the work party on December 7:

Hazel Heights gardeners Judy & Sara busily working away!

Mosaic in progress

After over two years gathering great ideas from our gardeners, neighbors and other community members, the design work for our mosaic is almost complete! Artists Vicki Robinson and Cheryl Knox have a template for the final artwork. There will also be more opportunities to participate during our mosaic production and installation process, so make sure to keep an eye out for those announcements if you'd like to help out.

Mosaic design taped to front wall

The materials will be very durable (grouted glass). Seattle Mosaic Arts in Wallingford has volunteered their time to tutor the two artists though the process, as the 4x 7' mosaic involves a good deal of steps. Claire and her assists have provided ongoing support to the process.

The glass pieces are put on a semi-adhesive surface (contact paper) underneath is the original drawing.  

Vicki and Cheryl try out iridescent glass on the honeybee's wings.

When the image is ready to be put in place, a much more adhesive film of plastic is put on top, and then it's pulled away from the contact paper. The piece is then ready to be set into the permanent surface with thinslip.

Here's Claire Barnett at Seattle Mosaic Arts tutoring us in the process.

Claire Barnett at Seattle Mosaic Arts

Vicki and Cheryl created sample mosaics to learn more about the indirect process of making mosaics.

Sample "test" leaf made by Vicki and Cheryl

It's going to bee beautiful!

P-Patch Construction Update - Updated January 21, 2010

With the addition of the beautiful new fence, the garden is continuing to take shape.

Although it seems like construction is taking forever, we really are nearly done. If you have ever built or remodeled a house, you know that there are always snags in the schedule. And since we're doing several environmentally progressive projects, such as the rainwater cistern, we have been exploring new territory with the City's permitting process. Our work should ease the path for future gardens that may also want to harvest rainwater and reduce stormwater overflow into Puget Sound.

Construction on the main site itself is 90% complete, with only the handrail installation and a few "punch-list" type items on the irrigation and cistern systems left to go before the contractor turns over the site for gardening to begin.

A major focus now is completing the drain tie-ins to the City system at 42nd and Baker Ave NW. This work will include digging up a portion of the street at 42nd and Baker Ave NW. We are continuing to work with the City to finalize the details for this work and expect it to be complete by the end of this month. When this is complete, the sidewalk along Baker Ave NW will be reopened.

We are currently assigning P-Patch plots with the City's P-Patch Program. Priority is given to those who have volunteered their time to the creation of the garden. If you want to be included in the waiting list for a garden plot at Hazel Heights P-Patch, please call Rich Macdonald at the P-Patch Program (386-0088) and specify that you are calling about a plot at Hazel Heights.

Be sure to save the date for Sunday, March 21 at noon for the grand opening of the garden!

Groundbreaking Event, May 11, 2009

On May 11, 2009 volunteers and elected officials celebrated the groundbreaking for the construction of Hazel Heights P-Patch.

City, County and State funds have contributed to the construction of the garden on this steep site, and to the innovative rainwater harvesting system and 8,000 gallon underground cistern.

On hand at the celebration were the following elected officials, or their representatives, who have played key roles in this project: State Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles, State Representative Mary Lou Dickerson, King County Councilmember Larry Phillips, Seattle City Council president Richard Conlin and Councilmember Jean Godden.

Media coverage of the event included:

Seattle Channel's CityStream 6/4/09: http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3070922
Fremont Universe blog: http://www.fremontuniverse.com/2009/05/11/groundbreaking-at-hazel-heights-p-patch/
Ballard News Tribune: http://www.ballardnewstribune.com/2009/05/06/news/groundbreaking-new-fremont-p-patch-monday
P-Patch Post: http://didia.smugmug.com/Fremont/Hazel-Heights-P-Patch/Media-Hazel-Heights-P-Patch/4525926_9TyBf#564922737_ZwT5V-X2-LB