Mukilteo begins mapping out future of Japanese Gulch

MUKILTEO — Volunteers begin their work later this month on planning the future public uses in Japanese Gulch park. One of the group’s first steps is getting a better idea of the land and its trails.

The 140 acres of park land is long and narrow. Its main entrance is at the corner of 44th Avenue W. and 76th Street SW near Paine Field. The dog park is downhill, and the park continues below Mukilteo Boulevard and includes a parcel of waterfront property overlooking Possession Sound.

Most of park’s forested land had been privately owned, but for more than 30 years was treated as a public park. A spaghetti-like system of trails sprang up, built by the hikers and bicyclists who used the area.

“One of the concerns that has been expressed by the city is they think there’s too many trails in there,” said Richard Emery, a member of the committee charged with developing a plan for the park’s future. “One of the topics for discussion is ‘What is the right number of trails and where do you want them to be?’” he said.

Some of the trails were developed decades ago, before thinking about wetlands and sensitive slopes evolved, he said. “We want to be respectful of the environment.”

Yet the group should find a way to include a variety of activities in the park, he said. One of the reasons government officials were persuaded to set aside money for its preservation is the wide variety of uses people enjoy there, such as hiking, biking, jogging and off-leash dog areas.

“Because it was a park that touched so many people in so many ways, it became a reality for us all,” Emery said.

Jennifer Berner, the city’s recreation and cultural services director, said the work of developing a plan for the park will take about a year. The park property was pieced together over the years. The biggest chunk, 98 acres, was purchased with money set aside for conservation uses, she said.

“Some pieces of property don’t have any restrictions on them, others do,” she said. For example, playgrounds would be allowed in the areas bought for conservation but ball fields would not.

The city has awarded a $40,000 contract to Barker Landscape Architects to help develop the plan. The Seattle firm also worked with the city on development of phase 2 of the city’s Lighthouse Park.

“We want to take into consideration the needs of all (the park’s) visitors and what the city is doing to provide an enjoyable, safe experience,” said NicMorin, the firm’s project manager for Japanese Gulch. Some have suggested making the upper part of the Japanese Gulch trail near its main entrance accessible to those with disabilities, said Kristin Kohorst, another member of the park planning group.

“I’m very excited for this first meeting,” she said. “I’m curious to hear what other ideas, other perspectives, people have.”

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.

Gulch meeting

The first Japanese Gulch sub-committee meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Aug. 27 in the council chambers at Mukilteo City Hall, 11930 Cyrus Way. The meetings are open to the public.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Ariel Garcia, 4, was last seen Wednesday morning in an apartment in the 4800 block of Vesper Dr. (Photo provided by Everett Police)
Everett police searching for missing child, 4

Ariel Garcia was last seen Wednesday at an apartment in the 4800 block of Vesper Drive. The child was missing under “suspicious circumstances.”

The rezoned property, seen here from the Hillside Vista luxury development, is surrounded on two sides by modern neighborhoods Monday, March 25, 2024, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Despite petition, Lake Stevens OKs rezone for new 96-home development

The change faced resistance from some residents, who worried about the effects of more density in the neighborhood.

Rep. Suzan DelBene, left, introduces Xichitl Torres Small, center, Undersecretary for Rural Development with the U.S. Department of Agriculture during a talk at Thomas Family Farms on Monday, April 3, 2023, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Under new federal program, Washingtonians can file taxes for free

At a press conference Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene called the Direct File program safe, easy and secure.

Former Snohomish County sheriff’s deputy Jeremie Zeller appears in court for sentencing on multiple counts of misdemeanor theft Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ex-sheriff’s deputy sentenced to 1 week of jail time for hardware theft

Jeremie Zeller, 47, stole merchandise from Home Depot in south Everett, where he worked overtime as a security guard.

Everett
11 months later, Lake Stevens man charged in fatal Casino Road shooting

Malik Fulson is accused of shooting Joseph Haderlie to death in the parking lot at the Crystal Springs Apartments last April.

T.J. Peters testifies during the murder trial of Alan Dean at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Bothell cold case trial now in jury’s hands

In court this week, the ex-boyfriend of Melissa Lee denied any role in her death. The defendant, Alan Dean, didn’t testify.

A speed camera facing west along 220th Street Southwest on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Washington law will allow traffic cams on more city, county roads

The move, led by a Snohomish County Democrat, comes as roadway deaths in the state have hit historic highs.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.