Copyright Everett Herald
EVERETT — Lake Stevens’ residents gathered in Cavalero Hill Park on Tuesday to celebrate the park’s official transfer from Snohomish County to the city. In May, the Lake Stevens City Council voted to take ownership of the park at 7708 20th Street SE, a press release said. In August, the Snohomish County Council voted to donate the park to the city. The transfer became official on Monday, one day before the celebration. The park was annexed into Lake Stevens in 2009, but remained under county control because the city was not yet ready to take on park maintenance and development, County Council member Sam Low told The Herald in August. Now, Lake Stevens has a “robust parks department,” Low said. “The timing made sense.” “The City plans to immediately increase routine maintenance, and evaluate opportunities to further develop the park by adding new amenities and expanding recreational offerings,” said Sarah Garceau, Lake Stevens Parks and Recreation Director, in the release. Lake Stevens will put out a request for proposals in the next few weeks to solicit designs and explore opportunities for 8.5 acres of land set aside for development, Garceau said in an interview Wednesday. The request will focus on proposals for a community recreation center which facilitates programming, events and sports, Gareau said. The existing dog park, skate park and playground will remain unchanged. “It will likely be a 1-2 month process to receive solicitations and evaluate them. If a proposal is selected, it will advance through Council and the public process,” Gareau said in an email. “The goal is to ensure Cavalero Hill Park remains a functional and accessible space meeting the needs of the community,” Mayor Brett Gailey said in the release. Taylor Scott Richmond: 425-339-3046; taylor.richmond@heraldnet.com; X: @BTayOkay
