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Everett parks report: restroom upgrades, changing-table challenges and where park impact fees will be used
Summary
Parks Director Kimberly Moore told the committee that restroom renovations and automated alerts are underway, baby changing tables are repeatedly vandalized prompting a search for durable alternatives, and the city has about $1.5 million in park impact fees collected since 2023 to fund projects including Walter Hall expansions.
Kimberly Moore, Everett's parks and facilities director, updated the committee on facility upgrades, accessibility requests and funding at the May 13 meeting.
Restrooms and automation: Moore said restrooms at Thornne Sullivan, Forest Park and Legion Park were recently renovated to include family-style facilities and that the city installed an automation system that alerts custodial staff (4 a.m.'midnight) if a restroom door is left open. The automation aims to reduce labor spent checking every restroom and to respond quickly when restrooms are in use or compromised.
Changing tables and accessibility: Moore addressed a petition and council inquiries about universal and adult changing tables. She said baby-changing tables (typically under $500) have been damaged almost weekly in some locations—examples cited included burning, drug use and other misuse—and that staff are researching more durable solutions and whether to site adult-sized changing tables at one or two ADA-accessible parks or downtown restrooms that host festivals. Moore also noted safety and design constraints (straps and weight capacity) and cautioned that concrete-built fixtures can attract other misuse.
Funding and park impact fees: Moore described park impact fees assessed on residential and commercial properties (with a discounted rate for low-income housing adopted by council at 50% of the recommended amount). The city began collecting park impact fees in 2023 and staff report approximately $1.5 million currently in the fund, with a ten-year spend window. Moore said staff hope to use impact fees for projects such as the SEMX property just north of Phil Johnson ballfield and for expanded playground investments; she asked council to consider trade-offs and timing during the fall budget process.
Insurance and repairs: Moore said Wiggums playground, replaced after a 2025 fire, cost roughly $500,000 and the city's deductible meant the replacement used park CIP funds rather than insurance. She also said a prior contractor failed to complete floating-dock repairs at Thornne Sullivan Park; a new vendor will complete the work this month ahead of YMCA and community programming.
Moore closed by noting departmental constraints: facility lifecycle schedules, capital funding priorities and the need to balance permanent structures against concerns about camping and winter maintenance. Council members requested more data on park use and asked staff to continue work on accessible changing solutions and funding plans.
