At Station 1, we are located just underneath the bridge of 20th St. NE. Its concrete imprints on the ravine walls may draw wonder from your weary mind. What did all of this look like before the bridge?
Dating back 50,000 years ago, melt-off from the Vashion Glacial Ice Sheet that once formed Lake Russell worked to cut and shape a giant ravine through new glacial fill. After Lake Russell receded northward, various elements, like the ravine of Ravenna Park, were left behind. Today, Ravenna Creek flows through the ravine into Lake Washington, being fed by brooks and springs that flow from Green Lake.
Peter Blecha, on Washington State History has claimed Ravenna Park's current state to be "A ghost of its former self," and likewise, "A weed patch in comparison to the magnificent forest it once was," (Ravenna Park (Seattle)). What does this all mean? Who has scarred the undergrowth of this beautiful habitat? When I learned this information, my brain was filled with questions.
Dating back 50,000 years ago, melt-off from the Vashion Glacial Ice Sheet that once formed Lake Russell worked to cut and shape a giant ravine through new glacial fill. After Lake Russell receded northward, various elements, like the ravine of Ravenna Park, were left behind. Today, Ravenna Creek flows through the ravine into Lake Washington, being fed by brooks and springs that flow from Green Lake.
Peter Blecha, on Washington State History has claimed Ravenna Park's current state to be "A ghost of its former self," and likewise, "A weed patch in comparison to the magnificent forest it once was," (Ravenna Park (Seattle)). What does this all mean? Who has scarred the undergrowth of this beautiful habitat? When I learned this information, my brain was filled with questions.
Ravenna got off on a lucky streak as its steep canyon-like topography made it too difficult for loggers in the early 1800's to 'do their job'. Luckily, huge old growth Douglas Fir trees were spared in the mass eradication of forest life. However, they could not remain safe forever. When Seattle bought the park from a private owner in 1911, city management took a "turn for the worse" in the words of Blecha, when Superintendent J.W. Thompson hollowed out the forest for his personal gain, cutting down loads of old growth trees and falsely claiming their diseased nature in a sordid lie to the public.
Today, however, with the addition of play-fields and open park spaces, tennis courts and covered picnic areas, the park is protected by the Ravenna Creek Alliance. This group works to restore the park back to its peak condition, beautifully landscaping the trails and repairing some of the damaged habitats from their long abuse along Ravenna Creek.
They work to restore the park, and faith in society.
They work to restore the park, and faith in society.
Citations:
Blecha, Peter. "Ravenna Park (Seattle)." HistoryLink.org. N.p., 23 Jan. 2011. Web. 10 June 2013.
"Ravenna Park." Seattle.gov Home Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 June 2013.
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