MUKILTEO — A trail providing public access to a park and beach with views of Whidbey Island and Possession Sound opens today in Mukilteo.
The gravel trail begins near Sound Transit’s Mukilteo station at 920 First St. and continues for about a quarter of a mile, leading to Edgewater Beach. The park will be open from dawn to dusk.
The trail will provide interim access to the one-acre park, which is owned by the Port of Everett. “The long-term vision is to use Mukilteo Lane and the Mount Baker railroad crossing and a nicely paved road,” said Marko Liias, a policy analyst for the city of Mukilteo.
The Mount Baker crossing, which has been closed due to construction at the transit station, is expected to reopen late this year or early next year, he said.
A ribbon-cutting is scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Edgewater Beach “to celebrate the fact that people can get to the beach safely and legally,” he said. It’s not legal to pass through the gates near the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s research lab, Liias said.
Visitors are urged to park outside the fenced area adjacent to the lab, such as along Park Avenue or at Lighthouse Park.
Edgewater beach and park straddles the boundaries of both Everett and Mukilteo. Mukilteo is working with the Port of Everett to provide restrooms and garbage pickup at the park. Police and other public safety will be provided by Mukilteo, Liias said.
The park is part of a 22-acre area where a U.S. Air Force tank farm was once sited. The Mukilteo ferry dock eventually will be moved to the area.
Earlier this year, five government agencies drew up a tentative plan for dividing the site. Mukilteo is searching for a consultant to help the city develop a plan for the far-west end of the property, near the current waterfront business district, Liias said.
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.
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