Go fly a kite - at Meadowbrook Farm

UPPER VALLEY - Dave Battey is proud to say he has given more than 70 tours of the Meadowbrook Farm.

Battey has taken many trips around the farm, not only as secretary of the Meadowbrook Farm Preservation Association (MFPA), but as the man who used to mow it in order to keep its abundant botany under control.

"Outside of the people who have owned this land, no one knows it better than I do," he said.

He would like to give even more tours, but the interpretive center that was to be the centerpiece of the historic farm, has been delayed. All of the permits were in place but the project got backed up over a 10-inch water main that needed to go from North Bend to the interpretive center. The pipe has yet to be installed and no construction can begin until it is in place.

Building has also been stunted by construction crews moving onto other projects in the meantime. And the MFPA's administrator, Greg Watson, resigned, leaving the association without a constant presence to monitor the project's progress.

"Things have just been kind of dropped for a couple months here," said Mary Norton, association president.

The interpretive center is an important component of the farm, but it's not the farm's only use. The MFPA would like create a Meadowbrook stop on the Northwest Railway Museum line between North Bend and Snoqualmie.

Possibilities for paths in and out of the farm are endless, and Battey said he would eventually like to see cows or horses able to graze at the farm again.

For the complete story, pick up a copy of this weeks Valley Record

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