IU Cares Month Project

I-5 Colonnade Mountain Bike Skills Park – Work Group

Pertinent Information

In keeping with the biking spirit of the Little 500, the Seattle Chapter of the IUAA has chosen to volunteer for the Backcountry Bicycle Trails Club. This non-profit group is working in conjunction with Seattle Parks and Recreation to bring a mountain bike skills park to Seattle — right underneath I-5! Talk about a great use of space!

This really is a work party, but it will be a FUN work party! The BBTC has a wide variety of tasks for us, from minor carpentry (for those skilled in that arena), to spreading mulch and grass seed for those of us less “skilled”. No experience is necessary!

Other things "good to know"...

• Coffee and donuts will be provided at 8:15 a.m. at the bike park
• The work party will be outside, regardless of weather
• Volunteers and other interested spectators will adjourn to Jillian’s to watch the Little 500 broadcast live at 11 a.m. Jillian’s is located at 731 Westlake Ave. N in Seattle, phone (206) 223-0300. Note that Jillian’s is opening early just for our group. We’ll provide beverages (your choice) at Jillian’s for all of our thirsty volunteers!
• This work party was organized specifically for IU. Seattle Parks and Recreation is so impressed that our group wants to give back to the community; they are excited to have us — let’s give them a great turn out! We’ll have IU Cares T-shirts for everyone!

What should you bring?

• Boots/sturdy shoes
• Work gloves if you have them
• Eye protection if you have it
• Water
• Your bike (lots of fun off-road stuff to play on if you want to take a little break)

How do I get to the park?

The park is located under the deck of the I-5 freeway between Seattle’s Eastlake and Capitol Hill neighborhoods. The boundaries are Lakeview Boulevard East , Franklin Avenue East, East Howe Street, and East Blaine Street. The best place to park is near the east entrance off of Lakeview (for directions on a Google or Yahoo map, type in: 1850 Lakeview Blvd E, Seattle, WA 98102 ). There’s more parking near the west entrance off of Franklin (1800 Franklin Ave. E, Seattle, WA 98102).

Directions:

From I-5 northbound, take Exit 168A. (Lakeview Boulevard exit). Take a left at the stop sign and we’re just on the left under the freeway.
From I-5 southbound, take Exit 168A (Boylston Avenue exit). Follow Boylston for a half mile and veer left under the overpass onto Lakeview. Colonnade is on the right under the deck of the freeway.

Where do we meet?

In the Phase 2 Area, south of the Novice Area. Head south-southeast from the main gathering area, walk up the hill, and keep heading south until you see people looking like they’re getting ready to work. Tom and Gretchen will be there at 8:15 a.m. with the coffee and donuts (Top Pot!).