City Manager Report – March 28, 2025

The City is receiving a Grant for Nature Trails Park

The City of Normandy Park is proud to announce that we have been awarded a $45,450 grant to restore a 2-acre portion of Nature Trails Park. Since 2016, the City has been managing its urban forest restoration activities. While much has been accomplished, considerable work remains, and this grant will help with this effort.

Using grant funds, the City can hire a professional firm to focus on restoration services to target noxious weed removal, including English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, and other invasive species as outlined in the 2016 Nature Trails Forestry Plan. The widespread invasive species generally reduce the urban forest’s overall biodiversity and ecosystem function. They suppress native plant growth, vigor, and natural reproduction. These grant funds will help change the outlook for the park overall and improve the northeast corner of the park located along 8th Ave SW, near the main entrance and trailhead. 

Fun Facts about Nature Trails Park:

Nearly 500 homes surround the park within a quarter-mile distance. That means an estimated 1,300 residents live within a 5-minute walk to this park. Marvista Elementary School is located roughly within a 10-minute walk from the park. An estimated 400 students from kindergarten through 3rd grade get to walk to Nature Trails Park twice a year for outdoor educational field trips. They learn about the park, its trees, plants, shrubs, and animals.

Nature Trails Park is identified as a Critical Area due to extensive wetlands and plays a pivotal role as a 100-year flood zone. The park is also the general location of the headwaters of Normandy Creek, which originates as a short stream that gathers just east of the park and courses directly through it. Normandy Creek drains directly into Puget Sound. This critical area is linked to the shoreline, and improving the park’s habitat and diversity has a meaningful impact on the neighborhood, shoreline, and salmon health.

We thank the Improving Indoor Air through Forestry Grant (IIAF) offered through the Washington Department of Ecology and King County for this grant. The first phase of the work should be completed by summer.

If you have any questions, please contact me at aarrington@normandyparkwa.gov. Have a great week!

“Fun Facts about Nature Trails Park: Nearly 500 homes surround the park within a quarter-mile distance. That means an estimated 1,300 residents live within a 5-minute walk to this park. Marvista Elementary School is located…”