Northshore School District and Wellington Hills Park

October 2015 (almost a year ago) we discovered there had been secret meetings and a deal between Snohomish County bureaucrats and Northshore School District bureaucrats at which Snohomish County would sell Wellington Hills Park to Northshore School District. for $11.2 million. 

The public was never informed or asked for comments on this "deal".

As citizens we've attended all sorts of Snohomish County meetings, we've followed the flow of ECAFs (Executive/Council Approval Form) ... we've regularly contacted various County offices and inquired, "Anything new concerning Wellington?"

Not once was there a peep, hint or statement concerning the County's plan to sell the Park.

Now, back to that School Board meeting.

That evening the School Board was asked to vote their approval on the purchase agreement for Wellington Hills Park.

It was painfully obvious - the Board was not aware of many of the issues and details associated with Wellington Hills Park... such as, there were existing lawsuits in existence concerning the site.

Two board members wanted more time to look into the matter ... they were voted down (3 to 2).

To justify the potential purchase, an enthusiastic bureaucrat declared to the Board:
For new school property, we look for 'cheap, flat and dry' land.

At that point, I thought to myself -

"It doesn't sound like the Board has all the facts concerning the Wellington Hills site, its particular uniqueness or its value to the local community - yet they voted to purchase it, how odd."

My second thought, "I wonder if I could sell them the Brooklyn Bridge?"

I have many more photos of the "flat and dry" Wellington site.... but that's enough for one post.

Important NSWP Event - September 22, 2016

New sign for Montevallo Estates

Within every community there are particular and memorable words with unique meaning to local residents.

It might be the name of a pioneer monument, an old bridge ... maybe a small lake or totem pole. Sometimes those "words" were in the news and perhaps they became a rallying call - but those words also produce an acute awareness whenever the words are spoken.

Locally, the Wellington Hills community (in Woodinville WA) is very aware of the words,
"Wood Trails-Montevallo".

The Wellington Hills community spent 10 years and a lot of money in a fight over the Wood Trails-Montevallo land development plan ... if you want to read more about that, see the webpage: Concerned Citizens of Wellington

It's with that background someone call me and said, "Did you see the new sign on 156th Street?"

I'm posting photos of the sign, not as a criticism or objection ... it's about awareness:

Montevallo Estates is in King County and located next to the county line with Snohomish County.

Wellington Hills Park is a Frisbee toss from Montevallo Estates into Snohomish County.

I hope everyone involved with the sale - both buyers and sellers - have adequate information concerning the status and issues currently happening with Wellington Hills Park.

The way it was & how it should be

The beauty of a park is more than the sum of its trees, grass and vistas. For most people, parks are pleasant places to visit... parks lift our spirits and we used infrequently used words: Relaxation, Calmness, Refreshed, and Serenity.

Have you noticed; towns and cities that have natural parks usually take great pride in "their" parks. Parks often become focus points of civic pride … proof of that, take a look at the advertising cities use to promote themselves ... almost always they mention or feature their parks.

Wellington Hills Park is an island in the swirl of nearby development and urbanization – This is the time to save it - because once it is gone it won’t be replaced when we become nostalgic for touches of nature – and serenity.

.........................................

Not too long ago the unnecessary gate into Wellington Hills Park was mostly open and people came, enjoyed themselves, met-up with friends and then quietly went about their days ... it was quite pleasant.

And before the parks dept. decided to stop mowing the grassy-weedy open areas (they called it "naturalization) ... it was indeed an open and easy place for walking, strolling and playing with friends, children and dogs.