Hi All,

Thanks so much for signing our petition to "block the ban" of wheels at Green lake! Being new to this world of online petitions and activism, I've probably been a bit of an absentee Admin, but I want to touch base to give an update on what I know, and let you know what comes next.

First of all, there are a lot of us!  As of today (6/5) we have almost 300 signatures! And our Facebook group has almost 200 members. If you haven't joined that group, please do. I post updates and upcoming meetings there, anyone can post an event (protest roll?) there as well. 

Second, there is a meeting of the Board of Parks Commissioners on Thursday, June 9, and while we had been led to believe they would revisit this issue at that time, that is not to be the case.  But public comment is welcome at any meeting, on any topic. I'm hopeful they will put this on the agenda of their July 14th meeting.

We can and should use this delay to build even more momentum for our movement.  Every day when I'm out talking to people, I meet someone who has skated or biked at Green lake "for years," and I think, "me too - why haven't we ever met before?"  Which means there are probably a lot of folks who I still haven't met, who want to use their wheels on the path as they used to.  Some of these folks skate like me, others bike slowly, or use some other set of prohibited wheels, or even just walk around the lake and value the diversity and joy we bring, and they are all our allies in this battle.

So here's what I hope you will do:

1. Join our Facebook group, https://www.facebook.com/groups/wheelsbelong if you haven't already.  If you have, share it with your friends!

2. Send a message, or another message, to any of the following:

A. Acting Superintendent of Seattle Parks & Rec, Christopher Williams at Christopher.williams@seattle.gov

B. Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners via: Rachel.Acosta@seattle.gov, PKS_Info@seattle.gov, Benjamin.Burtzos@seattle.gov, Paula.Hoff@seattle.gov

3. Sign up to make a public comment (usually 1 or 2 minutes in length) at a Board meeting by emailing Benjamin.Burtzos@seattle.gov and Paula.Hoff@seattle.gov

3. Keep using the Green lake path with your wheels! Our continued presence now will insure that we will ultimately be allowed, and welcomed at Green lake.  If people question you, use it as an opportunity to enlighten.  We are working to change the rule!

Thanks for all you can do!  See you on the trail!

Don