E-mail To The Editor: Check Out This "Birth Announcement"

I just received this e-mail from the Friends of group, who want people about the newest "birth" in University Place:

ANNOUNCING THE BIRTH OF A NEW GROUP!

The Friends of Colegate Park group was officially mandated by the city of University Place this January 2011. Colegate is a 12-acre park that is bounded by Crystal Springs road on the east, by Curtis junior high on the west and by Curtis senior high on the south.

We are a group of neighbors, concerned citizens, and representatives of the city who seek to protect, preserve and promote the few acres of forest and grass that constitute the park. Weare not affiliated with "Colegate Playground."

Historically the land was given to University Place by the Colegatefamily. Ithaschangedagreatdealovertheyears. A member of our group played in the park as a child. We still walk our children to school, observe nature, bird watch, and walk our dogs. We pick blackberries. We cheer on Curtis students as they run cross country races and watch soccer games from the grassy hill.

So far our group has removed litter,  garbage, scotch broom and brambles. We have cleared trails and painted picnic tables. We have requested from the city and been granted a sign announcing the park. It is just beyond the tennis courts. We have held an orienteering and geocaching event. And we greatly appreciate the help given to us by volunteers, by the students of Curtis, and by the scouts.

There is a lot more to be done to make the park a clean, safe, enjoyable refuge for all the citizens of UP. If you would like to help or comment or express your concerns, contact Sheri Clark, secretary, at slclark27@gmail.com.

Sincerely, The Friends Group