Youngsters delight over the young pigs at Forest Park Animal Farm in this 1999 photo. (Dan Bates / Herald file)

Youngsters delight over the young pigs at Forest Park Animal Farm in this 1999 photo. (Dan Bates / Herald file)

Future of Everett’s Animal Farm is uncertain

The petting zoo is funded through 2019, but if no group takes it over it’s likely to be eliminated in 2020.

EVERETT — For more than four decades the seasonal petting zoo at Forest Park has brought the farm experience to Everett.

The fate of the beloved summertime activity is uncertain as the city faces a multimillion dollar budget deficit.

It was set to be canceled for next year to help bridge the city’s financial gap. But at the urging of Everett City Councilmember and budget chairman Scott Murphy, funding for the Animal Farm was reinstated for 2019.

“I just know what a special amenity that is for us,” Murphy said Friday. “And to see that canceled without any additional effort didn’t make any sense from a quality-of-life standpoint.”

He has fond memories of taking his children to see the animals.

Murphy pushed for at least one more year of funding in the hopes another group would eventually take over the Animal Farm.

“Once you cancel something like this, it’s very difficult to get it resurrected, if not almost impossible,” Murphy said.

If another organization doesn’t take it over, Murphy said, funding for the Animal Farm likely will be eliminated during the next budget cycle.

In 2018, more than 35,000 people visited the Animal Farm, which is open for about seven weeks each summer. The activity, which is offered for free, costs the city about $70,000 a year. Paid seasonal staff and volunteers run the program. The largest expense is labor, said Kari Goepfert, a spokeswoman for the city.

The Animal Farm has housed horses, ponies, rabbits, chickens, ducks, pigs and goats.

“There aren’t many municipalities offering this kind of recreation in their communities,” said Lori Cummings, Everett’s director of parks and recreation.

Charging an entrance fee didn’t make sense, Cummings said.

Perhaps 4-H groups or a business already running a small farm could make good candidates for taking over the farm, she said.

“We aren’t sure what the interest will be,” Cummings said. “We’re still waiting. We haven’t heard from many.”

The city is accepting proposals through Dec. 16 from organizations interested in running the program.

Lizz Giordano: 425-374-4165; egiordano@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @lizzgior.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

A wall diagram shows the “journey of the ballot” at the new Elections Center on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County Auditor: No need for feds to meddle with state or local elections

Garth Fell’s comments were in response to a report of Justice Department mulling criminal charges against election officials.

Edmonds Police Chief Loi Dawkins speaks after the city council approved her appointment on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief

Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins will begin in the role Aug. 1. She has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, including three years in Edmonds.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

The Edmonds City Council discuss the levy during a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds votes to place levy lid lift on the ballot

By a vote of 5-2, the council decided to put the $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift to voters in November.

A trash hauler from Republic Services. (Provided photo)
Growing Teamsters strike disrupts garbage pickup in Snohomish County

Republic Services said a temporary work stoppage is causing some customers in the county to experience “temporary service delays.”

Lily Lamoureux stacks Weebly Funko toys in preparation for Funko Friday at Funko Field in Everett on July 12, 2019.  Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Everett-based Funko ousts its CEO after 14 months

The company, known for its toy figures based on pop culture, named Michael Lunsford as its interim CEO.

‘Courageous’ teen dives into Silver Lake to rescue 11-year-old

Gauge Bryant, 13, brought the child to the surface. The 11-year-old is in stable but critical condition, authorities said.

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.