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

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Cassie Franklin, Mayor of Everett, delivers the annual state of the city address Thursday morning in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington on March 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
At Everett mayor’s keynote speech: $35 entry, Boeing sponsorship

The city won’t make any money from the event, city spokesperson Simone Tarver said. Still, it’s part of a trend making open government advocates wary.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

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.