The Lake Stevens City Council voted July 15 to accept Caballero Park—a 35-acre county-owned park made up of seven parcels—as a donation from Snohomish County and to complete the transfer documents. Parks Director Sarah Garceau told the council the park includes an off-leash dog area, a skate park, playground, basketball court and roughly 8.5 acres of developable open space; it was annexed into the city in 2009 and has grants and conservation overlays attached.

Why it matters: accepting the property will increase the city's park holdings and transfer ongoing maintenance and operations responsibilities to the city. Staff said it will also allow the city to refine recreation amenities and pursue future capital development.

Garceau reviewed the deed restrictions and easements identified in the county title report and an updated parcel map staff prepared to show existing utility and road easements. She noted the property has an existing Everett waterline easement and power and utility easements that constrain certain build locations; a Department of Commerce grant restriction will expire in time but a conservation futures overlay imposes permanent outdoor recreation requirements. Garceau outlined fiscal impacts to the parks budget: about $62,000 per year for maintenance after transfer, approximately $20,000 in equipment costs in year one, and a seasonal part-time position request to help with summer needs. She said staff shifted an already-approved 0.5 FTE from Frontier Heights Phase 2 to create capacity for park maintenance in the first year.

The donation agreement presented to council removes the prior $10 donation transfer and adds covenants to preserve the property as a public park; the county will sign and then the city will finalize recording and a joint ribbon-cutting. Council voted to authorize the mayor to accept the park; Garceau confirmed equipment purchased to support Caballero Park can be used across the parks system.