MALTBY — The Snohomish County Parks and Recreation department has compiled an environmental checklist for the proposed construction of the Wellington Hills County Park.
The checklist was released March 20. According to the Washington State Department of Ecology website, “information provided during the SEPA review process helps agency decision-makers, applicants, and the public understand how a proposal will affect the environment.”
Construction of Wellington Hills County Park, which is on county land along 240th St SE, is estimated to begin in 2014.
The park has about $12.5 million dedicated to its construction, although total costs will remain unknown until a master development plan can be put together.
The report details plans to improve 240th Street and the construction of lighted athletic fields, playgrounds, picnic shelters, walking and biking trails and parking lots at the new park.
Among many topics included in the report, the checklist detailed the park’s estimated effects on traffic flow, noise levels, water drainage and wildlife. After the Parks and Recreation department has considered all public comments and possible appeals it will move onto the presentation of a master plan to the Snohomish County Council, according to the department’s website that could be as early as May 2013.
The public is encouraged to send in comments, questions or concerns regarding the proposal through April 4.
People can contact the department by mail or email.
Send mail to Tom Teigen, Snohomish County Parks Director, at the county administration office at 6705 Puget Park Drive, Snohomish, 98296.
Send emails to comments.wellingtonhillspark@snoco.org.
The approximate 105-acre property sold for about $9.7 million. It was bought by Snohomish County from The University of Washington in 2012.
The park will be paid for by money from the Brightwater Sewage Treatment facility deal in 2005, which totaled $70 million.
Some of that money was allocated towards community assets, which the proposed park would count as.
The Wellington Hills Golf Course closed down in October 2012 — after over 80 years of operation — to make room for the park after the sale the property.
For more information about Wellington Hills County Park visit the Snohomish County Park and Recreation website.
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