Front porch

EVENTS

Mill Creek park opens

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for Exploration Park, at 13901 North Pointe Circle, is planned for 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Elected officials from Mill Creek are expected to attend, as are city staff. The public is welcome.

The city’s Parks and Recreation Board selected four design concepts for the park in 2016. The public preference was for a natural play park.

The City Council awarded a construction contract in December 2018 and construction began in April.

Field upgrades included grading and drainage, picnic tables, pathways and park entrances that meet ADA requirements. The severe drainage issues proved to be the most expensive part of the construction process.

Exploration Park’s playground includes a parkour structure, balance steppers, rock steps up to a slide, play logs and a beaver den. The cost of this part of the project was offset by a $100,000 grant from Snohomish County.

Exploration Park opened in mid-October, though construction crews continued to install final touches in the following days.

More info: www.cityofmillcreek.com

OPPORTUNITIES

Stuff the truck

Marysville police will kick off a “Stuff the Truck” Coat Drive to get items for 1,000 children in Marysville, Tulalip and Lakewood to stay warm this winter. The drive benefits the Marysville Community Food Bank’s Toy Store.

Volunteers will accept donations of new coats, hats and gloves: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26 at Fred Meyer, 9925 State Ave.; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 2 at Walmart, 8713 64th St. NE; and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 16 at Kohl’s and Ross, 3713 116th St. NE.

More info: fbtoystore@gmail.com.

Bike repair classes

The nonprofit Sharing Wheels Community Bike Shop plans to host its Roadside Repairs Class from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Nov. 13. Cost is $25. Space is limited to six spots per class.

Lessons will make you a better volunteer, safer rider and a happier person. Students learn to fix a flat tire and make minor adjustments to their own bike using proper tools. Bring your own bike or use one from Sharing Wheels.

Work parties to provide used bicycles for the Christmas House charity run Thursdays at Sharing Wheels, from 6 to 9 p.m. through Dec. 12.

More info: 425-252-6952 or sign up at www.sharingwheels.org.

SUPPORT

Head injury support groups

Support groups for brain-incident survivors and their caregivers meet regularly across Snohomish County.

An Edmonds group meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. first Tuesdays on the second floor of Swedish Edmonds Medical Center, 21601 76th Ave. W. Contact: Lou Nash, 425-776-7264 or lou_nash@frontier.com.

An Everett group meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. third Thursdays in the Padovan Room at Providence Medical Center Pacific Campus, 916 Pacific Ave. Contact: Janet Mott, 206-972-9305 or janetm@biawa.org.

A Stanwood-Camano group meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. third Mondays in the library at the Stanwood Community and Senior Center, 7430 276th St. NW. Contact: Karen Furney, 425-268-2934.