On March 5, 2016, two dozen folks from the Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood and other volunteers with SOLVE planted just over 500 native plants in the Alameda Ridge stairway beds at NE 43rd and Wistaria. They were evergreen huckleberry, Oregon grape, mock orange, tiny sword ferns, and other Oregon natives.
Since they were planted, the beds in the stairway have been certified as official Backyard Habitat through the Backyard Habitat Certification Program. Groups of volunteers have been maintaining the plants in the beds over the last 10 years and helped them grow into fully mature native plant beds. If you look closely in the spring, you’ll have a chance to see a trillium blooming. Spring is a great time to walk the stairs because many of the native plants are in bloom, and native birds are flying in and out of the area. Last weekend, for instance, I saw a pair of hermit thrush hanging out around the beds.
This year, on the 10th anniversary of the planting, seven volunteers came out on a beautiful Saturday morning to clean leaves, pull weeds, trim plants, and cut back the laurel hedge. Many of the volunteers have returned over the years to help make this stairway one of the favorite walking destinations in the neighborhood. Thanks to John and Kathy Sandie, Randall Baker, Geoff Wickes, Steve Sandie, Kristin Lensen, and David Whitaker for their help in keeping the stairway clean, safe, and looking splendid.
David has lived in B-W for 32 years and served on the BWNA board for several years. He loves Sunday morning walks with his wife and pooch and breakfast at High-Top. He really enjoys growing vegetables in their front yard garden and visiting with neighbors as they stroll by.