Scene in Edmonds: At work on Shell Creek 

The Edmonds-Woodway High School’s Students Saving Salmon Club has received well-deserved press for their restoration work in Shell Creek. But there is another important person working behind the scenes: Bob Mooney. For seven years now, Mooney has volunteered to help keep this wild area of Shell Creek — located just south of Holy Rosary Church — under control. 

Edmonds Chris Walton wanted to make sure Mooney was recognized for his efforts, so sent in some photos of his work.

For years, Walton said, Mooney has cleared invasive blackberry bushes, tree-climbing ivy, and obstacles on the trails around the stream. Recently, he was working hard to remove debris from huge trees that were downed during a winter storm. According to Walton, this area of Shell Creek is not only a place for salmon to spawn, but a special place with little waterfalls offering the tranquility of a beautiful forest within an urban setting.

Walton has been helping with tree clearing this week, and said that he and Mooney took a break to have some fun. Walton launched into the creek his recently completed scale model of the Washington State Ferry Spokane. Unfortunately, Walton noted, the ship went aground in the shallow waters.

Walton describes himself as “an Edmonds hobbyist woodworker who occasionally takes a break from writing fired-up letters to local news editors to engage in more creative pursuits.”

— Photos by Chris Walton

  1. The students work along Shell Creek on Holy Rosary Church property was only possible because of all the work Bob Mooney had done to remove invasive blackberry and ivy at the site. We all thank Bob for all his dedication to improving and preserving Shell Creek’s natural habitat.

    On Saturday, March 23rd, Students Saving Salmon will be replanting native plants at this site (replacing those eaten by mountain beavers) and hope Bob will be there with us again along with other community volunteers and members of the Edmonds Tree Board.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Real first and last names — as well as city of residence — are required for all commenters.
This is so we can verify your identity before approving your comment.

By commenting here you agree to abide by our Code of Conduct. Please read our code at the bottom of this page before commenting.