Mukilteo Lighthouse Park party planned

Published 10:06 pm Sunday, July 27, 2008

MUKILTEO — A celebration is planned to mark the completion of the first phase of renovations at Lighthouse Park on Old Town Mukilteo’s waterfront.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony and keynote speakers are planned for the event, which is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 9 at the park next to the Mukilteo Lighthouse. Plastic shovels and buckets are planned to be handed out to children for playing on the beach.

Mayor Joe Marine, who plans to speak at the event, believes the renovations will benefit the entire city.

“The waterfront is really kind of the face of Mukilteo, and for that whole downtown area,” Marine said. “It’s what people see as they come in on the ferry.”

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

An important feature of the new renovations is a sand berm separating the park’s lawn and beach. The berm is designed to stop sand on the beach from blowing into the park during wind storms.

At least $5 million in changes are planned in coming years as money becomes available. The next phase of renovations, which will involve improving the park’s Front Street entrance, is scheduled to begin in 2009.

The renovations should be enjoyed by many, Marine said.

“I’d be willing to bet that more than half of the people in the park are not from Mukilteo,” Marine said. “There aren’t a whole lot of opportunities where you get a park like that on the water with beach access like that.”