Lake Stevens moves to acquire Cavalero Hill Community Park; council authorizes transfer and extra maintenance hiring

Lake Stevens city council authorized the mayor to coordinate with Snohomish County to transfer ownership of Cavalero Hill Community Park to the city and approved recruitment for an already‑budgeted maintenance position to support the site.

Parks staff presented the site overview and costs before the council vote. Sarah Garso of the parks and recreation department said the park comprises seven parcels totaling about 35 acres, with roughly 8.5 acres reasonably developable outside wetlands and critical areas. On‑site amenities include a two‑section off‑leash dog area (about 3.25 acres of the site), an 18,000‑square‑foot skate park, a 4,400‑square‑foot playground (previously reduced for safety), one basketball court and 47 parking stalls.

Garso said the property was annexed into city limits in February 2009 and that some of the parcels were originally acquired using Conservation Futures and Department of Commerce grant funding; those funding sources carry restrictions on allowable future uses. Staff estimated first‑year operating costs at $62,500 (pro rated if the transfer occurs midyear), about $20,000 in equipment purchases (mowers, hand tools, blowers) and a half‑time maintenance equivalent (roughly 20 hours per week) to provide routine cleanings, trash collection and faster response to graffiti and vandalism.

Parks field supervisor David Green told council that the largest equipment need is an additional stand‑on mower so crews can operate concurrently across multiple sites. Garso said the city would continue to partner with volunteer groups that maintain the dog park, while formalizing city waivers and volunteer agreements.

Council voted to authorize the mayor to coordinate the transfer and approved recruitment for the maintenance worker position; both motions carried with voice votes. Councilmembers discussed timing for staffing and equipment procurement; staff said recruitment and onboarding takes a minimum of two months.

Garso noted several parcels have development restrictions: Conservation Futures funds require outdoor public recreation uses, and one Department of Commerce grant tied amenities (including the skate park) to the site through an expiration date noted in staff materials. The parks and recreation planning board recommended the city pursue acquisition; staff said future development would proceed by master planning and additional budgeting decisions.

The council also discussed using an existing full‑time maintenance hire budgeted for quarter 3 to provide immediate capacity for newly acquired properties and agreed to move forward with recruitment as described.

The transfer gives Lake Stevens direct control over maintenance standards and future park planning; staff said the city would include Cavalero in upcoming master‑planning work to identify longer‑term amenities and associated costs.