MUKILTEO – Blackberry bushes nearly hide the trail leading down into the gulch, which is filled with trees and wildlife.
The Kiwanis Club of Mukilteo wants to turn the patch of land along Goat Trail Road into a community park.
The civic organization plans to pull out the sticker bushes and add trails and park benches to the city-owned parcel up the hill from Old Town. The club would maintain the park after the work is finished.
“I think the community will be happy to see something there that never has been there,” said Tim Taylor, vice president of the local Kiwanis club.
The parcel – about 41/4 acres – borders Goat Trail Road and 15th Place.
On Thursday, the city Parks and Arts Commission signed off on the club’s plan. Next, the club must get approval from the City Council.
Several council members voiced support for the park plan during the public comment portion of a council meeting earlier this year.
“I think it’s fantastic,” City Councilman Marko Liias said Thursday. “I’ve wanted to see that property redeveloped into some sort of park facility ever since I got on the council.”
Gus Whitney, who lives across the street from the parcel, said the gulch is home to birds, opossum, raccoons, snakes and frogs. His family often sees bald eagles across the street. Long ago, they saw a coyote emerge from the trees.
Whitney said he supports turning the property into a park if it helps prevent further development.
“I’d rather leave it just like it is, but the biggest thing is not to build houses there,” he said.
Diane Almgren has lived on Goat Trail Road next to the property for more than 30 years. She said she’d welcome a park at the site.
“I think it would be fine, I don’t think it would cause any problems,” Almgren said.
Native plants at the site would be preserved if the parcel is turned into a park, Taylor said. Only the blackberry bushes and other invasive plants would be removed.
Taylor is hoping for work to begin later this month.
“Our idea is to give something to the community that has some tangible value to it,” he said.
Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.
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