By 
Hello Meydenbauer Bay Neighbors. It is spring on Meydenbauer Bay, and the rain is warmer!
Sadly, our longtime MBNA board member and past President, Aaron Dichter from 10,000 Meydenbauer, passed away last week from natural causes. Aaron was a founding member of the MBNA, was the second President, and he devoted hundreds of volunteer hours working with the neighborhood and the city planning for the Meydenbauer Bay Park. He will be greatly missed.
Some of you may have noticed a series of lighted orange buoys around the bay a few weeks ago. These were gillnets placed there by the Muckleshoot Indians who have treaty fishing rights to Lake Washington and its surrounding area. Recently, their chief fish biologist informed me that they are trying to increase the sockeye salmon runs by identifying and catching non-native predator fish, such as Bass, Pike, Carp, and others that feed on salmon fingerlings. I was also told that they caught a significant number of predator fish both in Meydenbauer Bay and elsewhere in the lake and that they may continue this process through the summer in various locations.
REI has significantly increased their rental Kayak and paddleboard inventory at the city dock adjacent to the park. Therefore, you should expect more renters out on the water this summer. While boating, please be on the lookout for novice paddlers around the bay. The MBNA is working with REI and the city to ensure there is room for everyone on the bay.
In addition, the City of Bellevue, the City of Medina, the Mercer Island Marine Patrol, MBNA, and Meydenbauer Bay Yacht Club are looking into proposing a 7 Knots no wake zone in Meydenbauer Bay. If adopted, this would extend from Pickle Point to Groat Point across the mouth of the Bay. With the increase in paddling, swimming, floating, sailing, and other water-related activities, this is viewed as a water safety issue for all Bay users.
Please follow and like MBNA’s Facebook page which will be updated regularly with news and happenings around the Bay, including the City’s plans for expansion of the park. As summer approaches and traffic around the Bay increases, this will be the best place to stay up to date on neighborhood news. You can also feel free to post questions and comments about issues facing the neighborhood such as traffic and safety. (Please keep comments kind and constructive.)
The MBNA is a 501C3 Non-Profit Corporation. Our mission is to preserve, protect and enhance the quality of Meydenbauer Bay. As we approach the planning, design, and eventual construction of Phase II of the park, it is anticipated that we will be hiring consultants in the areas of Traffic, Parking, Design, and Legal. Donations can be made using Paypal or mail check to:
MBNA
1100 Bellevue Way NE, Ste 8A
Box 278
Bellevue, WA 98004
