The venerable Snohomish gazebo is in need of a remodel

SNOHOMISH — It’s been the scene of marriage proposals, and where the town gathers around a frog each year to gauge how much longer winter will last.

A well-known gazebo along the river near downtown Snohomish is in disrepair, and city leaders would like ideas on how to replace it.

City staff hope to bring a plan to the Snohomish City Council some time in early 2021, Economic Development Manager Wendy Poischbeg said.

Earlier this year the city was in the running for America’s Main Street Contest, where the prize was $25,000. That money was expected to go toward the gazebo, but another town was chosen.

The city still wants to replace it, but it’s a bigger task than previously thought.

“It turned out it was more than just a paint job and fixing a few floor boards,” Poischbeg said. “It needed a complete overhaul.”

Anyone with a suggestion can email Poischbeg. It doesn’t matter where you live.

Another gazebo is going to be rebuilt in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, but it could have different features than before, such as a small stage for speakers or live music.

It’s not clear when the gazebo was built, but it is not considered a historic structure. Poischbeg believes it was constructed sometime in the 1980s, but can not confirm the date.

For more than a dozen years the city has put its own spin on Groundhog Day, calling it Ground-frog Day. The mayor stands in the gazebo with a frog to predict when winter will end.

“You wouldn’t believe how many people show up,” Poischbeg said. “Everybody has a groundhog but no one has a ground-frog.”

People also often use it for marriage proposals. Poischbeg knows of at least eight that happened last year.

She expects the remodel to be complete in 2021 if everything goes as planned.

Stephanie Davey: 425-339-3192; sdavey@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @stephrdavey.

Share an idea

Email ideas to Wendy Poischbeg at poischbeg@snohomishwa.gov. The Snohomish gazebo is at 10 Avenue A.