Mercer Island, WA - The Rock Trivia Quiz

Answer: Luther Burbank

Luther Burbank was responsible for developing over 100 new varieties of plums and prunes, 10 varieties of apples, 35 fruiting cacti, in addition to many other new varieties of fruit, vegetables, and flowers. His peers criticized his methods as being too unscientific, but Burbank was more concerned with achieving results than following a prescribed academic methodology.

Answer: The park was built on top of a freeway tunnel, so it's the "lid".

In the late 1980s the state of Washington widened Interstate 90 to accommodate the increasing traffic flow from the east side of Lake Washington to Seattle and vice versa. As part of this project, the state agreed to cover part of the freeway with a "lid" and build a large green space on top of it to compensate the city for the loss of usable space. Today the Lid Park is used for many types of activities from Little League Baseball to family picnics.

Answer: Mercerdale Park

In the late 1960s and early 1970s the Mercer Island School District was considering the development of a second high school on the property that is currently Mercerdale Park. However, district enrollment began to decline, the plans for the second high school scrapped, and the property was sold to the city for park space. Today, the Island Arts Council and other organizations present the "Music in the Park" series each summer and a host of other activities throughout the year for members of the community to enjoy.

Answer: True

Ms. Dunham's family moved from the Midwest to Seattle in 1955 and then to Mercer Island in 1956 when Ms. Dunham entered eighth grade. Ms. Dunham lived on the Island until she left for the University of Hawaii in the fall of 1960.

Answer: False

There is no troll under the I-90 floating bridge, there is, however, a troll under the Aurora Ave. bridge in Seattle. It is called the Fremont Troll and was built in 1990 by four Seattle artists as a project for the Fremont Arts Council. The Fremont Troll is approximately 18 feet high and is clutching an original Volkswagen Beetle.

Answer: Thomas Mercer

Not Asa Mercer as many people believe, but his older brother Thomas. Both men were well know pioneers of Washington Territory. Thomas Mercer was a wagon train captain and gave English names to several bodies of water in the Seattle area including Lake Washington and Lake Union.

Answer: Lakeridge Elementary

South Mercer is the former name of Islander Middle School and no longer exists. Island Park Elementary School is mid-Island and is not too close to The Lakes. Tivnan Elementary is named after long-time Mercer Island School teacher and administrator Tom Tivnan, but has not yet been built.

Answer: HOV lane use by single occupant vehicles

As part of the agreement between Island government and the State of Washington when the I-90 corridor was widened, Mercer Island drivers are allowed use of the express lanes at any time with only one occupant in the vehicle. If the driver stays on the highway beyond Mercer Island he or she is subject to ticketing by the State Patrol; and in fact, the gore point just beyond the final Mercer Island exit is a favorite place for State Patrol vehicles to sit and wait for Express Lane violators.

Answer: True

Summer Celebration begins with a parade down the center of town on Saturday morning and concludes with a large fireworks show over Luther Burbank Park on Sunday evening. Other events typically include a street fair, vendor booths, numerous activities for kids, and a variety of musical performances by area performers.

Answer: There are no cemeteries on Mercer Island

The size of the Island and the value of its real estate have persuaded city officials to prevent the development of cemeteries on the Island.