So I made it back to colonade for the first time since been back in the states this Saturday. What happend there, found bums sleeping on the wood work, trash all over the place and it just looks deserted. We stopped to pick up the trash but what do you do about the bums. I really like riding there and would hate to see it go back to the way it use to be bums and all sorts of other bad things there. On the flip side its good to see all the work that was done and to see alot of the lines finished.
Colonade
- Thread starter keener1830
- Start date
Bums...
I've been trying to keep the bums at bay. The 2 junkies camping in the trials area may not be back after today. One of the builders was there to do some work, hauled away all their stuff, picked up their trash and syringes, and left them a note. If anybody sees someone camping there, please ask them to leave. Stay on 'em. Thanks!
Trash...
I don't know where that's coming from. Maybe because there aren't as many work parties, there just aren't as many volunteers around picking it up. Thanks mucho, Keener, for picking up the trash. It would be awesome if everybody could do the same. Thanks to all who pack out their sh-t when they ride the Nade. And thanks a ton to those who pick up others' trash!!
Deserted...
With the recent dry weather, everybody is out in the woods. Duthie has been packed. Now that the rain is back, let's see what happens.
I've been trying to keep the bums at bay. The 2 junkies camping in the trials area may not be back after today. One of the builders was there to do some work, hauled away all their stuff, picked up their trash and syringes, and left them a note. If anybody sees someone camping there, please ask them to leave. Stay on 'em. Thanks!
Trash...
I don't know where that's coming from. Maybe because there aren't as many work parties, there just aren't as many volunteers around picking it up. Thanks mucho, Keener, for picking up the trash. It would be awesome if everybody could do the same. Thanks to all who pack out their sh-t when they ride the Nade. And thanks a ton to those who pick up others' trash!!
Deserted...
With the recent dry weather, everybody is out in the woods. Duthie has been packed. Now that the rain is back, let's see what happens.
Alot of trash is from the freeway. Stuff like cups, papers, etc, hauled away a run over section of ladder...
Another reason to wear your helmet at the Nade. i don't care how good you are, best to protected from the off-chance of a fender falling on ya skull from a collision up top.
Rant on...
For the off-chance there is someone reading this that is one of the people who don't wear helmets at the Nade think of this. If you do brain yourself and become a salivating droopy eyed zombie for life, your family and/or insurance is going to look for more money to pay for your dumb ass to be hooked up to the machine. Where is that money going to come from? From somebody trying to sue somebody... Protecting your head protects alot more than your head.
i hate mags that show people styling with no lids, so frikkin backwards.
Rant off...
Another reason to wear your helmet at the Nade. i don't care how good you are, best to protected from the off-chance of a fender falling on ya skull from a collision up top.
Rant on...
For the off-chance there is someone reading this that is one of the people who don't wear helmets at the Nade think of this. If you do brain yourself and become a salivating droopy eyed zombie for life, your family and/or insurance is going to look for more money to pay for your dumb ass to be hooked up to the machine. Where is that money going to come from? From somebody trying to sue somebody... Protecting your head protects alot more than your head.
i hate mags that show people styling with no lids, so frikkin backwards.
Rant off...
Fixing... I must have missed that thread. We definitely all appreciate anyone who wants to maintain existing lines by:
- smoothing out brake bumps
- raking up loose gravel and dirt
- picking up debris off the trail
- watering down the dust
Just shoot Mike or Kevin (trails@evergreenmtb.org) or one of the builders an email. That's the only way the dirt lines at Colonnade will stay fun... volunteers pitching in to keep them clean, smooth and packed down.
Screwing... I have seen those threads. We can't have people changing the lines or terrain without specific permission. Examples of obvious "don't do"s are:
- changing jumps (especially lips) in any way
- moving dirt from 1 place to another (I posted photos of the drainage damage and hours of work caused by 1 person and his/her 5 minutes of moving dirt)
- in general, changing, adding or removing features
More on maintenance... Dirt is by far the highest maintenance tread at the Nade. The ladder bridge decks, sandstone pavers, turfstones (cheese graters) and even crushed rock are all holding up well. If we don't get enough volunteers chipping in to keep the dirt lines safe, we'll have to cover up the dirt with turfstones. I personally don't mind turfstone lips, but landing on turfstone sucks!! So we need and appreciate volunteers like you Keener and DamienD pitching in to keep the place up'n'running.
Special call for help... We're still looking for someone willing to run an experiment with our SoilTac soil stabilizer. The K-Line trannies, Drop Zone trannies or the pump track would be great places to try it. Anybody interested? Let us know!
Thanks,
Mike
Been busy at duthie, have not had time to work on k line in awhile, sounds like breaking bumps are getting bad. If you want to smooth out breaking bumps that would be great.
I think the concern was with people building lips up bigger and messing up the current drainage project. We definatly need help maintaining park though, just ask before you dig anything major, thats all.
the so called bums need a place to sleep in these hard times. They have the same right to be there as we do as long as there not doing damage. In fact I think its cool that they are using the place. No one is better than anyone else just because of money or statue. Have a heart! dont kick them out instead offer them something of value whether that be money, food, blanket or maybe just a friendly conversation is up to you. cheers d
Or, give 'em a shovel and put them to work so those braking bumps are all smoothed out when I roll over there in my new SUV with my equally expensive bike on the rack for a couple quick laps between meetings and picking up another seasonal flavored latte. 
Careful not to judge too quickly there, D. Damage is not the only issue -- safety is a big one, too.
The most recent groups camp on the trail, party it up at night and leave a huge mess of garbage, beer cans, syringes and human waste everywhere. Those are the ones who spoil it for everybody. They are quite a bit different than the homeless I got to know quite well through the 3 year construction process (and worked with the city and other non-profits to relocate them, provide them firewood and even a 6-pack or 2).
I won't go into the truckload of garbage, porno mags, syringes, spoons, and blood-stained cotton balls and q-tips I've personally had to pick up. Here's just 1 recent example...
Joel, Zeb and the trials guys spent hundreds of hours building a small trials area. When they are there doing their thing, it's an awesome scene. Park visitors always stop to watch in awe. So Joel shows up the other day and there's garbage, syringes, piss stains and gawd-knows-what all over the features they built. And he has to spend another day cleaning it up and contacting Seattle Parks to take their sleeping bags and "kit".
I don't want to debate treatment of the homeless vs. junkies vs. campers vs. everybody else in between, but the bottom line is simple: Colonnade is a public park, nobody can live there anymore. There are many other places they can go. And most importantly... any help volunteers can provide to talk to them and explain that to them would be greatly appreciated.
OK, I'm done.
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Dang, I had no idea the nade had this problems with the homeless, that really sicks because is an awesome and unique place. I agree with them being people, and I am not going to discuss my point of view as far as them, but I don't think is cool for them to use this place as DBirds2 says. I know is a bit extreme but imagine you fall and pinch yourself with one of the needles they left behind, what are you going to say? Aw now I have HIV, or who knows what disease, but is ok because as drug addict had a place to sleep last night?
Like Mike was saying is a safety and health hazard.
Thanks Mike and all the crew that puts the time into taking care of the park and cleaning all the nasty crap is left behind.
Like Mike was saying is a safety and health hazard.
Thanks Mike and all the crew that puts the time into taking care of the park and cleaning all the nasty crap is left behind.
Schweeeet! Shoot me an email: mwestra@evergreenmtb.org. There is a strict process, but it's easy to follow. The stuff is actually pretty environmentally friendly (certified and in use by the USFS).
Not all of the homeless are bad. I spend a lot of time working on the south end of the park and talk with most of the homeless individuals that live just past the parking lot. They have never given me a hard time and have actually sat and watched the riders come fly by. Times are bad but worse for the homeless so there's no need to be rude/mean.
Nobody is being rude or mean. Nobody ever said all homeless are bad. Read the post! I too have spent a lot of time talking and working with the homeless peeps at the Nade. The guys you see walking alongside Pip's Hips to the south of Colonnade have always been cool. We give them firewood and access to a hose. YoPawn just gave them another 6-pack the other day. Please stick to the point: we can't allow people to live on the trails at Colonnade and trash them. Thanks.
Bums are people too, i've talked to more of em down there while working there than you would probably even imagine.
Me and Mike helped pick this drunk guy up who fell one time.
i talk to anyone that wants to talk but some of them are gonzo crazy and you SHOULD NOT talk to them too much because they are way too unstable and need real help.
Just today i was working there and this bum was pissing on one of the beginner structures in a dry spot that never get's rain. He didn't speak English so i spoke to him in broken Spanish that people ride bikes here, go piss in the trees down the hill. i was stern with a tone like DUDE wtf?, and he thanked me, he probably thought i was going to kick his ass.
We have been MORE than cool to ALL people regardless of why they are there. But a city park is no place for junkies, or the bum guy who was flashing the women in the dog park, or a guy that just pisses on the stunts.
If f'd up people take it back over it will be a great loss. Today i saw 2 riding buddies, 2 guys riding solo, met a guy with a new bike who brought his girl they were both practicing, and a mom with 2 little kids.
Most bums are respectful enough to find a place to sleep with shelter around the park, but the junkies who camp in the park, bums who piss in the park, crazies talking about government aliens, and perverts flashing themselves. i got NO probs calling the cops or tellin them to go take a hike.
You can be respectful to people but they have to give respect back. i don't care how down on your luck you are there are lines people cross and if you cross em sayonara.
Braking bumps OK
Learn where to harvest dirt/rock if you need to add.
Contact Mike Westra so you can get dialed tools/info/etc.
So you're saying you want people to create braking bumps. Got it!
Correct.
I learn from the School of Skookum!For those who want to read more...
Maintenance is OK and greatly appreciated. Braking bumps can be fixed by chopping up dirt with a pick, raking it smooth, watering it and tamping it down hard. As skookum says, if you need to move dirt from 1 place to another, contact us first. We don't want to screw up a drainage path.
Always make sure you shut off *ALL* hose valves when you're done with the water. 1 leak left overnight can destroy a trail. Someone left the water on last week and created a mud pit between the 1st 2 jumps on the upper jump line.
From Google dictionary...
Maintenance = Cool.
1. Actions performed to keep a drain, trail or feature functioning or in service.
2. Keeping a drain, trail or feature in a specified condition.
3. Care or upkeep to ensure a trail stays the way it was originally designed.
Design Change = Not Cool.
1. Transform or convert a drain, trail or feature into something different.
2. When a drain, trail or feature becomes different in essence; losing its original nature.
My reply to you was a few sentences, but I will say it again. Its fine to fix breaking bumps, that would be great! The concern is with people building lips bigger and screwing up drainage. If you want to do stuff on K-Line just send me a msg or talk to Mike W. Thanks!
Nice.
Where can I go around here to get a coffee?
Forgive me from bringing this back from the dead, but I was down at Collinade today and found a nice pile of trash (dirty clothes, cups, cardboard, etc.) that I suspect was from a bum at the upper freeride area. This trash wasn't there Tuesday when I rode (one of the EMBA guys was working on the line, can't recall his name...but if you're out there I was the guy on the SX who made small talk a couple times) so it obviously was dropped off pretty recently. I would have picked it up, but I didn't have any trash bags or a place to put the trash. So is there a dumpster/supply of trash bags around Collinade for the next time I see this? Maybe some rubber gloves for the nastier stuff (needles I hear about, soiled clothes, etc.)?
Additionally, what should be done about the guys who are cracked out/on something when we're riding? Maybe I shouldn't care, but when I was down there today there was a guy roaming around the bottom (by the rainbow jump) who seemed to be on heroin or something of the sort...just leave these guys be?
~Scott
P.S. I figured out how to operate the hoses after reading something about using them on here, and I must say, that helped a LOT for improving traction and keeping the dust down.
Additionally, what should be done about the guys who are cracked out/on something when we're riding? Maybe I shouldn't care, but when I was down there today there was a guy roaming around the bottom (by the rainbow jump) who seemed to be on heroin or something of the sort...just leave these guys be?
~Scott
P.S. I figured out how to operate the hoses after reading something about using them on here, and I must say, that helped a LOT for improving traction and keeping the dust down.
It's getting pretty bad. I can tolerate the guys who live past the parking lot under there, as they don't leave a mess and are actually working immigrants making a living, but living under the highway. I have respect for those guys.
On the other hand, we've been getting a lot of new junkies who are sleeping in the main areas and leaving crap all over the place, along with needles. I can look past everything but needles, especially when little kids are playing all around there. Hep C rate is crazy high for needle users.
If someone called the cops, is there any legal action that can be taken? Seems like the only option. I would hate for a biker to get into a bad confrontation there.
We are all sick of it and it needs to stop.
if drugs are involved then yea they should be able to take them out of there on drug charges mabey that will help clean them up a little. and let them know where not going to deal with it any more
Thanks for offering to help, Scott. I have a group out there today and we'll do another round of trash pickup. I'll leave some hefty bags by the shed, but I don't count on them staying there for long. I'll keep working on the city for a few garbage cans up there.
And thanks again! Awesome! Just make sure to shut all the valves off when you're done. 1 leaky hose or sprayer left overnight in the wrong place can trash a trail.
Yeah, don't know why the surge in junkies lately. I get on 'em as soon as I see 'em. Tell 'em about the kids, volunteers having to pick up their syringes, etc. Tell 'em they can't stay and they usually pack up and leave. If anyone sees them crashed out, please tell them to leave. Thanks! I've never called the cops, but if it doesn't get better, I'm going to have to start.
Re: the leftover syringes, I've heard Hep C stays alive in the needle a lot longer than HIV.
The wife and I went to the Colonade today after a couple hours @ the Greenlake jumps. I have to say that pictures don't do Colonade justice.....the amount of work put into that hillside is staggering....amazing
I was automatically drawn to the K-line. Just by reputation it was the closest thing to what I like so I though I would start there...I'm a creature of habbit
Although it was indeed lofty,floaty goodness....the continuous washboard of braking bumps and potholes made for a sketchy experience for sure. Had I been on my Stab...the brake bumps/potholes would have been transparent for the most part.....but on the Cowan w/55psi in tires......it was "exciting"
Fearing my fillings were gonna get shook out, I just started sessioning the other features with my wife. The "Offramp" area.....super fun,with different line choices. That rockery hillside switchback thing....super fun. All the different skinny lines....awesome. The "Roller Ladder" things....too much fun....etc...etc...
There were NO homeless people in the Colonade bike park....there wasn't any trash to speak of......and there were quite a few people there riding....I'd have to say about....15 to 20+/-. Overall I think it is a great thing that has been created and way beyond anything I had envisioned for sure....Thanks
I was automatically drawn to the K-line. Just by reputation it was the closest thing to what I like so I though I would start there...I'm a creature of habbit Although it was indeed lofty,floaty goodness....the continuous washboard of braking bumps and potholes made for a sketchy experience for sure. Had I been on my Stab...the brake bumps/potholes would have been transparent for the most part.....but on the Cowan w/55psi in tires......it was "exciting"Fearing my fillings were gonna get shook out, I just started sessioning the other features with my wife. The "Offramp" area.....super fun,with different line choices. That rockery hillside switchback thing....super fun. All the different skinny lines....awesome. The "Roller Ladder" things....too much fun....etc...etc...
There were NO homeless people in the Colonade bike park....there wasn't any trash to speak of......and there were quite a few people there riding....I'd have to say about....15 to 20+/-. Overall I think it is a great thing that has been created and way beyond anything I had envisioned for sure....Thanks
I have been meaning to get down and do maintaince on K-Line but right now I am putting all my efforts toward our flowline at duthie.
If anyone wants to tacklel the breaking bump problem that would be a great help. Get in contact with me or Mike Westra and we can get you the tools you need.
-Thanks
If anyone wants to tacklel the breaking bump problem that would be a great help. Get in contact with me or Mike Westra and we can get you the tools you need.
-Thanks
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PM sent. Last time I was there I went looking for a shovel but couldn't find anything...so I imagine they were all locked up.
I'll be back at the nade around 2pm tomorrow.
~Scott
I was out there today...the brake bumps have gotten WAY worse since I was last there (last Tuesday) on the right side of k-line. So for anyone who heads out there this week, might be a good idea to bring a shovel and fix some of that stuff. On the bright side, there were more people then I've seen there in awhile and there wasn't any obvious trash laying around.
I personally forgot the shovel in the garage today.
~Scott
I personally forgot the shovel in the garage today.
~Scott
going to need a pick ax for those bumps are solid. Might have to put in pavers.....
soil hardener
ya, we need to test that stuff out for sure.