3rd Annual Heybrook Hoedown

www.heybrookridge.org

PO Box 265
Index, WA 98256
501(c)3 EIN 51-0629674

9/7/10

Dear Friends,

I would like to update you on the activities of the Friends of Heybrook Ridge over the past several months.

As a supporter of FOHR, you know that two years ago we saved Heybrook Ridge from being logged, with the help of you, the Cascade Land Conservancy, and Snohomish County Parks and Recreation.  Our current efforts focus on developing a trail system for Heybrook Ridge Park’s 139 acres.   Roughly 2/3 of the park’s land is heavily forested and lies on the north side of Heybrook Ridge, bordering the North Fork of the Skykomish River and the town of Index, and facing the Index Wall across the valley, beloved by climbers and hikers.  The other 1/3 is rapidly filling-in clearcut on the south side of the ridge, bordering Highway 2 and the South Fork of the Skykomish River, with stunning views of Mount Index, Bridal Veil Falls, Mount Persis and several miles of the South Fork valley.

We are preparing to develop trails and viewpoints on both sides of the ridge, and to connect our trails with the adjacent Forest Service trails, whose land borders both Heybrook and the magnificent Wild Sky Wilderness.  To become the “Gateway to the Sky” we must first create a trailhead with available parking.  So here’s what we’ve been working on in collaboration with Chris Mueller, esteemed Planner from Snohomish County Parks:

Ø       Mandatory boundary survey of the purchased land was completed ($24,000, covered by FOHR).

Ø       We are partnered with the Index School District on trail-head and educational projects.  The school district owns acreage bordering the north boundary of HR Park.  Friends are financing a 5000 sq-ft parking lot on school property, which will be the trail-head for building trails, beginning soon.  We plan eventually to help develop an outdoor educational center.  Index Fire Department will also utilize parts of the school property for rescue training programs, and there is interest in further collaboration with us on future projects.

Ø       We met with the US Forest Service and agreed to link Heybrook Ridge Park trails with USFS’s trail to Heybrook Lookout Tower.

Plans are afoot for the 3^rd Annual Heybrook Hoedown on 10/2/10 from 4 to 10 pm!!

Please join us at the Index River House, located just across the bridge into town.  We will have live music and dancing, featuring local musicians and “Index’s own” bluegrass and rock band, “Spare Rib and the Bluegrass Sauce” and other special guests.  Our silent auction will feature artwork by local artists (our area boasts several) and donations from businesses and individuals.  We anticipate books, gear, jewelry, trips, getaways and meals, to mention a few.  And of course, we’ll have great food!

We know that times are tough and we thank you for your support.  The recession has slowed both our ability to raise funds and the pace of our progress, but we continue to press forward with our dreams for Heybrook Ridge Park.  We invite you to join us again, if possible, with a donation to the Friends of Heybrook Ridge.  We would be most grateful for a monetary gift or an item for the Hoedown auction. But whether or not you can give again, do come to town for some down-home fun at the Heybrook Hoedown on October 2^nd.

Sincerely,

Sue Cross

President , Friends of Heybrook Ridge

Heybrook Hoedown II