Restoration at Mercerdale Hillside

For safety, volunteers are required to wear:

• Long pants made of sturdy material
• Sturdy, close-toed shoes
• Gloves (provided)

In addition, we recommend that participants bring:

• Warm layers, especially during the fall, winter, and spring
• Rain gear
• Big sack lunch
• Long sleeved shirt
• At least one full water bottle
• Small daypack for lunch, extra layers, etc…

Google maps: https://goo.gl/maps/B7EZJvj5bEJ2

From Interstate 90 East: Take the Island Crest Way exit (Exit 7B). Turn RIGHT onto SE 30th Street, turn LEFT onto 78th Ave SE, turn RIGHT onto SE 34th St, turn LEFT onto 76th Pl SE drive to the top of the hill and park along the front of the Mercerdale Hillside Park.

For I-90 Westbound: Take the Island Crest Way (Exit 7) and turn left onto Island Crest Way. Turn RIGHT onto 28th St., turn LEFT onto 78th Ave SE, turn RIGHT onto SE 34th St, turn LEFT onto 76th Pl SE drive to the top of the hill and park along the front of the Mercerdale Hillside Park.

Mercer Island is graced with 35 parks, over 300 acres of natural areas, and more than 50 miles of trails. Popular among joggers, walkers, and families, Mercerdale Hillside provides an urban open space experience for residents of all ages.  However, the natural area has become over-run with non-native ivy, laurel and holly which threaten its ecological diversity.  Volunteers will be crucial to the restoration of this local forest by returning over the next few years to remove invasive plants, plant native conifers, and support the growth of these young trees.  Through these persistent and targeted efforts by volunteers, Mercerdale Hillside will be become, once more, an ecologically diverse forest.