How to Become a Shoreline Street End Steward
What is a street end steward?
It is someone who volunteers their time to help open and/or maintain a shoreline street end. This usually begins by coordinating with Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and Friends of Street Ends (FOSE) volunteer organization. Then it can include regular visits (weekly to monthly) to check for trash or larger maintenance concerns. Maintaining a street end may include landscape maintenance such as weeding and trimming overgrown plants that is consistent with the site. And also the steward may propose improvements such as paths, plantings and benches or logs for sitting.
What are their roles, tasks and responsibilities?
It depends on the steward’s time and energy. In addition to what is described above, the steward’s role can include organizing annual work parties and bringing others together who care about these special places. The steward can get support through working with SDOT’s Street End Manager, Omar Akkari, who can help with larger requests like bench replacement and disposal of clean green.
How much time is involved?
It depends on the steward’s capacity. It can be as little as walking by once a month to or as much as organizing a major renovation of the site.
What are the steps to become one?
Contact Friends of Street Ends volunteers Marty Oppenheimer, John Barber or Karen Daubert for an initial orientation and to insure than the street end does not already have a steward.
Who is asked to become a steward?
Someone who cares about improving the community by providing special shoreline spaces for recreation, reflection and rejuvenation. Someone who values public access over private use of these public spaces and who is truly interested in improving public access.
How long would a steward sign up for?
Ideally for at least a year and hopefully longer. We recognize that this is a volunteer request position and that situations change.
Are there people who can mentor new stewards?
Yes, there are currently about twenty active stewards throughout Seattle who are eager to help.
What resources are available to stewards?
Friends of Street Ends volunteers, SDOT Omar Akkari, tools, debris disposal and the greater FOSE community.