‘In Motion’ lands on Mercer Island
Mercer Island residents interested in taking a pledge to drive less and try new travel options can now sign up with King County Metro’s In Motion program.
In Motion provides opportunities for Mercer Island residents to try using the bus, walking, bicycling and carpooling instead of driving alone. By taking a pledge to drive less between now and Dec. 6, Mercer Island residents can receive a free ORCA card good for two weeks of unlimited travel or travel mug, as well as request information like neighborhood maps and transit schedules.
In addition, participants who log alternative trips to driving alone will be entered into bi-weekly prize drawings for gift certificates to local businesses, such as Homegrown Sandwiches, Island Books and QFC.
The 12-week program will provide Island residents with the tools they need to begin exploring different travel options.
In Motion has engaged over 20,000 people in 32 King County neighborhoods since it began in 2004. The In Motion team will be at Mercer Island community events and sharing information on social media.
Metro also is promoting the new Mercer Island Community Shuttle (Route 630) with peak-hour service between Mercer Island and Seattle. This service includes a flexible routing area in the Shorewood area of the Island, where residents can schedule a pickup.
Another new pilot project coming later this fall is TripPool, which guarantees a parking space at the Mercer Island Park & Ride and eliminates scrambling to find parking in the morning. Volunteer drivers get free gas, maintenance, and the use of a Metro Commuter Van. Drivers are being recruited now.
To learn more and sign up, visit Metro’s In Motion page and click on the Mercer Island tab, or email theislandinmotion@kingcounty.gov.
Pioneer Park gets new signs
In the southeast quadrant or adjacent to Island Crest Way, horses are allowed on these trails and they have the right-of-way. To remind all park users of this, the city of Mercer Island recently installed educational signs in those locations. The signs summarize the rules with three simple words: Share, Communicate, Respect.
Basic trail etiquette around horses also includes the following:
If you see a horse coming, say “Hello” to let the rider know you see them.
Stop and move off to the side of the trail to let them pass.
Bikers need to be looking out for horses well ahead of time: stopping and standing off to the side is especially important because a fast-moving cyclist can be threatening to a horse.
Dogs should be firmly restrained in the vicinity of horses as well.
Student volunteer programs wrap up
The city’s Youth and Family Services Department (MIYFS) offers two summer volunteer opportunities for Mercer Island students in Grade 6 and above. The middle school Summer Volunteer Program (SVP) is open to current 6th and 7th grade students, and the Volunteer Outreach in Communities Everywhere (VOICE) program is open to current 8th through 11th grade students.
A total of 275 students volunteered this summer and provided over 10,000 hours of community service to over 40 nonprofits throughout greater King County. Participants select specific projects to work on from among several hundred service opportunities; VOICE volunteers complete a minimum of eight projects, while SVP volunteers complete at least four.
Registration for the 2016 VOICE/SVP Programs will be open from March 23 to April 27, 2016 online. To be added to the email reminder of these dates, please contact Tambi Cork, the City’s Youth Development Coordinator, at tambi.cork@mercergov.org.
