Subject: Marymoor again
Date: Feb 16 14:15:00 1995
From: "Nunnallee, Dave" - DNUN461 at ecy.wa.gov



I certainly didn't intend to start a flame war over model airplanes. I am
the first to recognize that model plane enthusiasts are neat, decent people.
I also recognize that the model plane area at Marymoor is more popular, in
terms of people using the area, than is the nature trail. Furthermore, I
think that flying model planes would be a lot of fun, and I wouldn't mind
trying it myself.

However, I have to suggest that locating a model plane field immediately
adjacent to a nature trail is incredibly stupid! How can one possibly enjoy
the nature of the area with that incessant, piercing noise?

A much more appropriate area for the model field would have been between SR
520, the Belladrome and the playing fields. There it would have been well
buffered from the natural areas of the park.

I am not angry with model plane enthusiasts; but rather with the incredibly
short-sighted planning that went into siting the facility.

BTW, before the plane facility was sited there, I used to enjoy bushwacking
through the fields and shrubs under which the planes now fly. There used to
be good numbers of finches, warblers and flycatchers in the small trees in
that area. After establishment of the model plane field, several trips into
this area were so "birdless" that I stopped going there altogether. Not
very scientific, I agree, but there appeared to be a dramatic
cause-and-effect relationship.

Dave Nunnallee
dnun46 at ecy.wa.gov
Bellevue, WA