Work party to restore native plants to part of Japanese Gulch

MUKILTEO — For years, Japanese Gulch was the city’s favorite unofficial park. People visited the wooded area to enjoy wildlife, trails and views, even though most of the land was privately owned.

That changed last year with the final, and largest, acquisition by the city of 98 acres, the capstone to a 144-acre park.

The city is formally planning the future of Japanese Gulch. As part of that effort, a volunteer event is planned for Saturday to help restore an area that had been heavily used by bicycle motocross (BMX) enthusiasts. The event is organized by the non-profit Seattle group EarthCorps.

“Some energetic people went in there and constructed some pretty significant hills and gullies,” said Bill Brosseau, a field director for EarthCorps in Seattle. “Clearly the area was impacted. No one could argue that.”

Grading occurred without permits, Brosseau said. That meant there was a use occurring in Japanese Gulch that is no longer permitted.

The nonprofit worked on an assessment of the property as part of the city’s master planning process.

Saturday’s plans call for restoring native plants and trees to the area, including salmonberry and thimbleberry, which grow quickly, and conifer trees such as hemlock and cedar, Brosseau said.

The group hopes to have 30 volunteers turn out for the event. Gloves, tools and water will be provided.

A similar event is scheduled March 21 by the city’s Youth Advisory Committee, said Mayor Jennifer Gregerson. High school students plans to clear invasive plants and clean up trails, she said.

“That kind of energy is what we want to continue in the Gulch — people who value it and are part of taking care of it, being good stewards,” Gregerson said.

The City Council is to be updated on park planning March 30. An open house is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. May 30 at City Hall, where a draft of a preferred plan for park development will be presented.

“I’m interested to see what the consultant has come up with, based on some open house meetings with a lot of attendance and interest in helping craft a vision of the Gulch,” Gregerson said.

The park’s master plan is expected to be completed in the fall. “That will help get us ready for recreation grant cycles that will begin next year” to pay for park improvements, Gregerson said.

One idea that’s been suggested is the development of an environmental center “so that people could appreciate the environmental value of the Gulch,” perhaps in conjunction with a senior center, Gregerson said.

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.

Japanese Gulch restoration

An event to restore a former bicycle motocross site in Japanese Gulch is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Volunteers should meet at the Japanese Gulch Park entrance at 4405 76th St. in Mukilteo. Registration and more information is available at www.earthcorps.org/volunteer.php.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.