LYNNWOOD — After more than two years of planning, the city is close to renovating the only park within walking distance of its most diverse neighborhood.
A turf soccer field, sheltered picnic area and accessibility improvements are some of the upgrades planned for the 4.2-acre South Lynnwood Park off 208th Street and 61st Avenue W.
“Very loudly, we heard that soccer play was very important to this neighborhood,” said Sarah Olson, deputy director for the city’s parks department. “The lawn improvements and picnic shelter will probably be the most used features.”
The project in the South Lynnwood Neighborhood also includes an expanded playground, new connection with the Interurban Trail, resurfaced basketball and tennis courts, improved drainage and a new bike station.
The renovations will cost about $2.5 million. Federal and state grants and donations are covering $1.6 million. The city is handling the rest.
Before the city can bid the project for construction, the National Parks Service has to authorize the final environmental permits, Olson said.
Construction could start this spring or summer and will last about six months.
The tennis courts at South Lynnwood Neighborhood Park in Lynnwood. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
South Lynnwood Park’s renovations started with a $260,000 grant from the Trust for Public Lands intended to fix up the park’s play area and quickly expanded to the whole park, Olson said.
The city then landed grants from the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Youth Athletic Fund.
When completed, the 42-year-old South Lynnwood Park will also be in better compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Accessibility improvements include two new parking stalls, upgraded walkways, artificial grass in certain areas, a bucket swing and a slide down a hill.
Additionally, the park’s connection with the Interurban Trail will feature bike racks and a service area.
The upgraded restroom building will feature a mural from a local artist working with fifth-graders at College Place Middle School.
The artwork will likely be finished by the end of the school year, Olson said.
Joey Thompson: 425-339-3449; jthompson@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @byjoeythompson.
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