Traffic Circle Volunteers Needed!

Please note: The City of Seattle has decided to postpone its participation in the America in Bloom contest until next year. With the limited time until judging and the need to mobilize multiple neighborhoods and community groups, Seattle could not put its best face forward in time. However, the city is very excited about participating in next year's contest and urges citizens who are interested in helping to let us know. You can do so by contacting Urban Forestry at 684-TREE (8733). We will be sure to contact you as we take steps later this year to become an America in Bloom champion.

Neighborhood volunteer groups often choose to beautify their area by planting wonderful landscapes in their traffic circles – (Traffic Circles are traffic calming structures at road intersections that help create safer, more pleasant neighborhoods by reducing speeds and crashes on residential streets.) Neighbors remain responsible for maintenance of the traffic circle after it has been built.

Often volunteers move or are no longer able to maintain the circle. The resulting “orphan” circles wait until an interested neighbor comes to their rescue.

If your nearby traffic circle has been orphaned, you may want to consider becoming a traffic circle garden volunteer. The process is easy! Simply call the TREE LINE at 684-TREE to let us know of your interest. You will be requested to fill out a no- fee “Beautification Permit” with your contact information. You will also get information about the types of plants that are appropriate for circles and how to maintain the area.

Traffic Circle volunteers receive a tip-filled newsletter about once a year. They are also invited to attend Traffic Circle volunteer events and to enter annual award contests.

Look here for a traffic circle near you.

No traffic circle? Check here to learn about the program.

Already have a circle and need maintenance tips? Check here to get information.

For more information, call the SDOT Urban Forestry TREE LINE 684-TREE (8733).