First upgrades to Mukilteo’s Lighthouse Park almost ready

Published 10:39 pm Monday, June 30, 2008

MUKILTEO — The work won’t be finished, but pieces of the renovation of Lighthouse Park could be finished by this weekend.

A trail alongside a new sand berm on the western edge of the park is expected to be opened for use by Saturday. Also, the park’s new restroom building is scheduled to be open by then, said Larry Waters, Mukilteo Public Works director.

The landscaping at the park is finished, but some of it has been marred recently, Waters said.

“We’ll have tape up and fences,” Waters said. “We already have people stomping through the new landscaping that shouldn’t be stomped on.”

By the end of July, city officials hope to be done with the first phase of renovations at Lighthouse Park.

For a cost of $3 million, the park has been restored with native plants, a new trail, new restrooms and picnic shelters. The renovations also included a children’s play area, a sand volleyball court, more trees and new parking.

At least $5 million in changes are planned in coming years as money becomes available. The next phase of renovations is scheduled to begin in 2009.

An important feature of the new renovations is the sand berm, designed to stop sand on the beach from blowing into the park during wind storms.

“It’s also to provide separation from all the people on the beach and the people in the park, so you can have two different experiences,” Waters said.

Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.

@4. OT ByNumbers hedder:If you go

Mukilteo Lighthouse Park is open April through September from noon to 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays. For more information about visiting and tours, call 425-513-9602.