Ideas sought to reclaim Everett's first park

EVERETT -- Clark Park is the city's oldest.

In its 117-year history, it's been home at various times to a grandstand, a cannon and a little house made from a giant stump.

Disgruntled workers protested there and flocks of churchgoers enjoyed picnics on Sunday afternoons.

Generations of children have come to kick cans, throw balls, ride bikes and play hide-and-seek among the chestnut trees.

In recent times, the park -- earned or not -- has developed an unsavory reputation for crime and vandalism. The down-on-their-luck sometimes sleep there. On a recent afternoon, a man with a shopping cart full of plastic bags laid out a piece of cardboard on a bench and spread out for a nap.

On and off for the past decade, a beloved gazebo at the park has been locked behind a fence, the only effective way the city has found to prevent vandalism to the historic structure.

Now Everett staff would like to come up with a way to make the park safer, and they'd like the community to help with the solutions.

Starting tonight, the city plans to bring together various people from around Everett to brainstorm ideas for Clark Park. Those meetings are scheduled for 6 p.m. today, April 4 and April 18 at the Weyerhaeuser room at Everett Station, 3201 Smith Ave.

It's not just about the gazebo -- although that's been a lightening rod for complaints, said Everett parks director Paul Kaftanski. The conversation is about improving the entire park.

"What we want to do is take a step back and work with stakeholders to understand their views," he said. Those stakeholders include, just for starters, park neighbors, the churches that flank the park and the nearby Everett branch of the Y. The public is invited to watch the process.

Those who attend will get a primer on the park's history from Everett historian Dave Dilgard and information about crime from Everett Police.

Then they'll be asked to come up with some "reasonable actions" the city can take, Kaftanski said. By reasonable, he means doable with little to no money.

Those actions could be just about anything. As an example, Kaftanski said the city could schedule more programs at the park.

The park has actually experienced a significant reduction in crime the past two years, said Everett police Sgt. Robert Goetz.

"Historically we've responded to the park for a lot of different reasons: suspicious circumstances, kids fighting, assaults and even an occasional robbery," he said.

In that time period, police have increased visits to the park on a regular basis, he said. The presence of a uniformed officer has helped.

The park, originally called City Park, is located in a north Everett neighborhood at 2400 Lombard Ave. It features mature trees, a wide expanse of lawn, a playground and tennis courts

People visiting Clark Park on Thursday had a few ideas for improvement.

Paul Nelson, out walking his dachshund Julius, said the park could use some lighting at night.

Although he recognizes there's a problem with vandalism and the gazebo, "it would be nice to get rid of that fence."

Michael Earle, a 15-year-old sophomore at nearby Everett High School, walks by the park sometimes after school and hangs out with his friends.

He's seen some fights at the park. He thinks Clark Park would be an ideal candidate for several cameras the city is proposing placing in its parks.

So, too, does Phillip Shaw, a homeowner who lives across the street from the park.

He's lived in his home for two decades and seen crime wax and wane over the years -- most of the worst of it happens at night. He called 911 once after spotting "about five people stomping the hell out of one kid."

Shaw said the park should mount a security camera up high and point it toward the gazebo.

"They should either take that stupid fence down or get rid of the gazebo," he said.



Reporter Debra Smith: 425-339-3197 or dsmith@heraldnet.com.