The City of Mountlake Terrace and partners celebrated the major renovations at Ballinger Park with a ribbon cutting Saturday.
The park re-opened earlier this year with nearly $1.5 million in improvements. New amenities include the 220-foot aluminum fishing pier, boat launch and floating dock, and restrooms, along with shoreline restoration and the addition of 20 trees and 5,000 plants.
Ballinger Park is a 55-acre regional park near I-5 and future light rail, connecting the Interurban and Lakeview Trails. The city completed the Ballinger Park Master Plan in 2015, charting the future of the large passive green space and former golf course.
The city extends its deepest thanks to the agencies that provided grant support: the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office ($500,000) and Snohomish County ($100,000).
City, regional and state officials were joined at the event by members of the design team.
After the ceremony, the group celebrated another new asset at the park: a life jacket kiosk. This resource was made possible through a joint project by Mountlake Terrace Recreation & Parks, South County Fire, Safe Kids Snohomish County, and Kevin Sayson, who has helped build several life jacket stations in memory of his brother who drowned. These jackets will be available for public use.
Additionally, guests were treated to the sight of South County Fire’s new rescue boat stationed at Lake Ballinger. This is the only motorized craft allowed on the waters there, as it serves a life-saving mission.
The years ahead will bring even more local, state and federal contributions to Ballinger Park. Also on tap:
- Connecting the waterfront area via accessible trail to the Mountlake Terrace Community Senior Center this summer.
- Constructing a Universally Accessible Playground later this year.
- Realignment of Hall Creek to enhance habitat for plants and wildlife in 2023.
- Building new trails and a wildlife viewing platform on the west side of the park, starting in 2024.
Please note the dates are tentative, keeping in mind potential challenges that include the global supply chain.
For more information, contact Jeff Betz, Recreation and Parks Director, at 425-640-3101 or jbetz@mltwa.gov.
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Caption for above photo:
City, regional and state officials join the design team in celebrating the new renovations at Ballinger Park.
Back row, from left: Carl McNabb with PND Engineers, Mayor Pro Tem Bryan Wahl, Councilmember Steve Woodard, Fire Commissioner Derek Daniels, Fire Commissioner David Chan, and Councilmembers Erin Murray and Doug McCardle.
Front row, from left: Dean Koonts with HBB Landscape Architecture, Councilmember Rick Ryan, state Rep. Cindy Ryu, Mayor Kyoko Matsumoto Wright, state Sen. Jesse Salomon, and Councilmember Laura Sonmore.