By Judith Yarrow

MT. BAKER – The Friends of Charlestown Hillclimb (FCH) are moving forward with landscaping the Charlestown Hillclimb. Based on input from a community meeting on Aug. 21, local landscape architects Johnson+Southerland have developed several design options. They will present at the Mt. Baker Community Club membership meeting on Mon., Sept. 10. Rainier Valley residents are urged to come to the community meeting to weigh in on the proposed landscape options.

The Hillclimb is located between 37th Avenue South and Courtland Place South on the Charlestown St. right-of-way.

FCH plans to implement the landscape design with volunteers over two years. The group will seek grants and donations to fund implementation. FCH’s goal is to have an SDOT permit in hand in time to start the first phase of clearing and planting in late October 2012.

Johnson+Southerland, a local firm with offices in Columbia City, have done many projects in Southeast Seattle including the Seward Park playground and the Cheasty Greenspace at Mountain View.

A lot of progress has already happened with the Charlestown Hillclimb project this summer. Seattle Dept. of Transportation were able to replace the unsafe dirt path with the majority of a stairway and the landing. The stairway includes a bike trough that bicyclists can use to walk their bikes up or down the hill. Still to come are the final set of steps and walkway at the top of the hill and permanent handrails, which they expect to finish next summer.

FCH invites your participation in the Hillclimb project. Your cash, in-kind, and labor donations are crucial for completing this project. Go here for more information.

Neighborhood children play on the new Charlestown Hillclimb stairway during the Seattle Night Out potluck. The Seattle Department of Transportation constructed the first phase of the stairway this summer and will complete it next summer. Photo/FCH