MUKILTEO — A new park dedicated to the memory of three young people killed last year likely will be developed at Byer’s Park.
Two designs are now being considered for developing a portion of one-third of an acre at 601 4th St. into Peace Park.
The park will be dedicated to the memory of former Kamiak High School students Anna Bui, Jacob Long and Jordan Ebner, all 19, killed July 30, 2016, during a shooting at a house party. A fourth person, Will Kramer, was seriously injured.
“We want to honor them in whatever way is appropriate, but also include other words of peace, reflection and hope,” Mayor Jennifer Gregerson said.
Family members and friends of the three students, including some young people who were at the house party the night of the shootings, have made suggestions on how the park could be designed.
“I think they wanted something simple,” Gregerson said. “Being able to have a place of peace is what’s most important to them — a place they can go.”
Support has grown for Peace Park to be developed on the Byers Park property because of its tranquility.
It offers a peaceful view of the waterfront without Lighthouse Park’s crowds — “a place quiet and a little removed,” Gregerson said.
The park will serve another purpose, too. A number of the community’s young adults have died by suicide over the past five years. A local family whose daughter died by suicide has been among those involved in planning for the park, Gregerson said.
“We plan that it can be a place of hope and peace for people who might be feeling depression, and for those who experience loss, to find some respite,” she said.
Two designs for the park are now being considered: one with tiles, bricks and a small pond and one with a brook, bridge and small waterfall.
City staff are still working on the 2018 budget, but $100,000 may be included for development of the park site. The amount ultimately will be decided by the City Council.
Park construction is planned to begin in the spring and might be completed in two phases, the first opening next year and the final work completed in 2019.
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
