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Parks update: skate-park restroom plan, Heart Lake grant bid, Grandview green burials and pickleball mitigation
Summary
Parks staff presented a multi-topic update March 24, highlighting a planned restroom and parking at Ben Root Skatepark funded largely by a $1 million payment from a vacated right-of-way, an ALIA grant bid for Heart Lake improvements, cemetery policy work including green-burial options, and ongoing pickleball noise mitigation efforts.
Parks and Recreation staff presented a broad update March 24 covering senior-center programming, the Ben Root Skatepark project, a Heart Lake grant application, shoreline and trail projects, cemetery policy changes and pickleball management.
Senior center and programs Parks staff described growth at the Senior Activity Center and several programs including intergenerational yoga and caregiver support courses. Staff said a community needs assessment funded by the Senior Activity Center Foundation will be completed in April and a staff member will brief council on the study results.
Ben Root Skatepark restroom and million-dollar fund Staff said the city intends to build a new restroom and parking at Ben Root Skatepark this year. The primary funding source is a $1,000,000 payment the city received after a right-of-way vacation (referred to in meeting materials as the MJB payment). Because the restroom relocation involves state grant conversion rules, staff are conducting a cultural-resource survey with the Samish nation; after state approval the project will go to bid.
Restroom design: staff recommended CXT-style concrete units rather than Portland Loos, citing durability and approved conversion standards for the state grant. Council discussed tradeoffs: some members favored Portland Loos for anti-misuse design but staff said CXT units better match grant conditions and have lower lifecycle repairs.
Heart Lake ALIA grant and parking redesign Parks staff said the city applied for an Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account (ALIA) grant of roughly $500,000 to reconfigure a portion of the Heart Lake parking area, reduce impermeable surface, add bioswales and create ADA-accessible parking and a dock. The project total is estimated at about $1 million; staff said if the legislature funds ALIA at last session's level the city would receive the award and use forest-lands interest earnings as the match.
Grandview Cemetery and green burials Staff said they will bring policy updates for Grandview Cemetery to council soon, including an option to allow green burials in a manner that preserves dignity and meets code requirements.
Pickleball, Clearage courts and new court options Council and staff spent substantial time on pickleball. Staff described repairs and installation of acoustic screening at the Clearage courts to reduce noise, and said staff are negotiating with the school district to convert two southern courts at 20th and K into combined tennis/pickleball surfaces as an alternative to overuse of the Clearage neighborhood courts. Staff noted decibel readings comparable to street noise but acknowledged ongoing neighborhood concerns; they said options include sound mitigation, expansion of sites and possible time limits enforced by dispatch and police.
Other projects - Whistle Lake Dam: geotechnical review is underway with Department of Ecology coordination. - Thompson Trail Trestle feasibility study: presentation scheduled for April 7 with technical findings and Samish and DNR participation. - Maritime Plaza (Depot expansion): stormwater and utilities design will proceed with construction after festival season; engineers are preparing documents for summer bidding and a 2026 market-ready target.
Next steps Staff will proceed with the cultural-resource review for Ben Root, finalize ALIA grant-related design if state funding is confirmed, implement acoustic mitigation at Clearage courts and continue outreach with impacted neighbors and stakeholders.
