Monthly Archive: December 2009

The Friends of Green Lake was approved for 501(c)3 charitable status by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service in December, 2009. This means that the IRS has reviewed FOGL’s files and determined that the Articles of Association, Bylaws, procedures, and activities comply with federal requirements for an non-profit charity whose purposes are protection of the environment and education of the public. The action is retroactive to April 18, 2006 for claiming donations on federal income taxes. The Friends of Green Lake tax identification number is 33-1212539. Donations can be mailed to Friends of Green Lake, P.O. Box 30544, Seattle, WA 98103.

Every year on the second Saturday in December, Green Lake is bedecked with luminarias as throngs of visitors walk its paths to celebrate the season. Carolers and musicians near the Green Lake Community Center, Bathhouse Theater, and Aqua Theater offer beautiful seasonal music, inspiration and peace. Oar-propelled Christmas boats had to break up the ice in places. (Photos by Catherine Anstett.)
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Volunteers pulled milfoil and leaves from the northeast Green Lake shoreline near the dock by the Boat Rental on Saturday, Dec. 19 and raked the debris and unwanted vegetation into piles. Park Department staff were there to help and pick up the muck. Many thanks to event manager, Travis Boyd for organizing the effort!

Each fall as trees are starting to show their fall colors, milfoil starts collecting and rotting along parts of the shoreline, interfering with boaters and swimmers, providing nutrients for algae blooms, and reducing oxygen in the water. That’s when FOGL gears up for a fall cleanup party. In 2009, there were two shoreline cleanups because of increased spread of milfoil on the lake. Volunteers meet at the dock near the Boat Rental (pedal boats). A rep from the Seattle Parks Dept. brings supplies and arranges pickup of raked-up debris.
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