News and Events
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Urgent: Your Comments Needed on Proposed Changes to Our Neighborhood
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We want to be sure that our neighbors are aware of the City of Seattle’s proposed Comprehensive Planning Document which is out for review and comment. This proposal has significant zoning changes that will affect our neighborhood and others throughout the City. We believe the plan threatens the integrity of the Ravenna-Cowen National Historic District…
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Neighborhood Heroes!
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ABOVE: FORC Board Member Jackie Lum and Conservation Catalyst Woody Wheeler cleaning up the 15th Avenue NE bridge pedestrian and bike lanes. Hasn’t looked this good for a while! Woody Wheeler, who lives in the Ravenna-Cowen North NHD neighborhood and who has led Ravenna Park bird walks for FORC, was very frustrated about the litter…
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Successful Ravenna Park History Walk
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We had great weather and many enthusiastic walkers for our September 28th Walking Tour through Ravenna Park featuring the park’s history. FORC Board Member, Francesca Renouard with her husband Stephen lead about two dozen people through the park pointing out among other things where the “Big Trees” the park was once famous for were located.…
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A Wonderful Gift and a Fascinating Record!
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FORC Boardmember Lani Johnson met Toni at the Circle Park, which is right near her great grandparents’ old home (green house in the background).
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Check out the Circle Park Plant List!
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Our wonderful neighbor volunteer George Macomber provided the plant list for the Circle Park! This is a comprehensive list with useful links that provide additional information about the many fine plants you can find growing in the Circle Park. This list is a terrific resource not only for gardeners, but for anyone interested in identifying…
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“Circle Park” Celebration
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We had a small, but friendly celebration of the completion of our work to improve our favorite urban oasis in the heart of the Ravenna-Cowen National Historic District. We were able to honor the folks that spearheaded the latest work, as well as the previous efforts of neighborhood volunteers that cleared the obnoxious ivy from…
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“Circle Park” Celebration Saturday, June 8, 2024
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4:00-5:00 PM—Enjoy recent improvements, including new benches and handcrafted wooden stools. See the beautiful native plants in the garden, some blooming now. Watch the unveiling of the new commemorative plaque. All this thanks to Volunteers & Donors! Refreshments served!! 17th Avenue NE traffic circle at NE 63rd & NE Naomi Place For a brief history…
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Peak Migration Bird Walk in Ravenna Park Update
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Woody Wheeler, a seasoned birding guide in the Seattle area, led both the May 25 and June 1 Bird Walks through Ravenna Park. They were well received. We hope to have similar walks in the future. Stay tuned in. If you have questions about birds, including feeding birds and birding optics, please ask Woody. You…
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Successful AADU and DADU Workshop
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Twenty people attended our AADU and DADU Workshop held on Saturday 24, 2024 at the Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center. Maxwell Branham and Katrina Nygarrd from the City of Seattle’s Department of Construction and Inspections provided a comprehensive presentation on adding accessory dwelling units to existing homes. The presentation was followed by a question and answer session.…
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Upcoming Accessory Dwelling Workshop
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Friends of Ravenna-Cowen (FORC) is sponsoring a workshop on adding Accessory Dwelling Units (AADUs and DADUs) to houses within our historic neighborhood. City of Seattle staff will explain the requirements and permitting process, as well as providing advice on design and construction. We will also address how these new housing units can be added without…
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Walking Tour #4
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We held our fourth walking tour on Saturday, October 7, 2023. This tour focused on the Ravenna Park, the beautiful park that is adjacent to and south of the District. Larry Johnson led one of two groups for the walking tour. He was assisted by board member Lani Johnson, as well as volunteer Dante Moreno.…
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Walking Tour #3
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On Saturday, June 24, FORC hosted the third of our walks through the Historic District. This walking tour covered the easternmost section of the District encompassing the University Place and College plats and portions of the Wade, Wasson, Alder Park, and Ravenna Springs Parks plats, ending up at the Ravenna Commercial District.
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Walking Tour #2 – University Scenic Plat
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On May 6, 2023, FORC hosted our second historical interest walk through the central section of the Historic District. About 60 neighbors participated with FORC president, Larry E. Johnson, AIA, leading the group and pointing out points of interest along the way. You can download Walk #2 below and take a self-guided tour too. This…
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Celebration For Our Historic Ravenna-Cowen Neighborhood
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On October 1, 2022, FORC hosted a celebration of the Ravenna-Cowen Historic District in Cowen Park. Over 50 neighbors and 3 local politicians joined in the event. FORC Board President Larry Johnson described the mission of the organization and lead a tour of Cowen Park and the Cowen University Park Platt (east and north of…