By Theresa Goffredo

Herald Writer

EVERETT — Wiggums Hollow Park got a little extra protection from development Wednesday.

Everett City Council members passed an ordinance amending the designation of a portion of Wiggums Hollow Park from public/quasi-public facilities to parks/public open space.

That means that the portion that was changed — .7 acres, or about 30,000 square feet, — will always be a park.

Over the years, the city has been buying land so that now the demand on the need to develop on park property has been reduced. Now the city is trying to change the designations of these quasi-park land areas to strictly parklands.

Wiggums Hollow got the change Wednesday. Other parks pieces, such as land at Silver Lake and at Phil Johnson ball fields, are coming up for the new designation in the near future.

Though it may seem like a housekeeping item, the new parks open space designation has significance, said Hal Gausman, development construction supervisor for the city’s parks department.

"We really feel parkland is important and a critical piece of the public landscape, and we want to take care of it," Gausman said.

Coincidentally, Wiggums Hollow Park, 2808 10th St., will be holding a grand opening and public art dedication April 16 to showcase the efforts of a two-year volunteer project that brought community involvement and a celebration of cultures to the park.

Volunteers and local businesses helped install new playground equipment at the 10-acre park under the guidance of the Everett Parks Foundation and Parks and Recreation Department. Donations paid for much of the project, which includes stewardship programs.

The playground will have a multicultural theme, with rooflines from other parts of the world and a sign pointing to various countries with the number of miles from Everett to reflect the diversity of the neighborhood.

The $1.2 million park renewal also includes walking paths, picnic areas, a play field, a learning garden and an outdoor plaza. People who use wheelchairs will be able to access the playground.

The two-year project began with a neighborhood survey.

You can call Herald Writer Theresa Goffredo at 425-339-3097

or send e-mail to goffredo@heraldnet.com.