Newly renovated park to reopen with ceremony Thursday

LAKE GOODWIN – Newly renovated Wenberg County Park will reopen the waterfront and dock with a ribbon cutting May 2 at 2 p.m. The park underwent major renovations to the swim, beach and boat launch areas last summer and fall. Snohomish County Parks, Recreation & Tourism director Tom Teigen said, “We wanted to give this beloved park, boat launch and swim area a much needed face-lift and upgrade its amenities including ADA accessible beach and swim access.”

Teague explained, “I just couldn’t see getting people all the way to the water and then not making a way for them to get into the lake if they wanted to. I am excited for the possibilities of families with mobility challenges being able to swim and play in the water together.”

More than $1.2 million of the $3 million cost came from a state grant, with the remainder coming from SCPRT capital budget. Upgrades and renovations include:

•Accessible routes from the parking lot to the docks

•Three, wheelchair accessible dock bump outs for fishing over deep water

•An ADA ramp directly into the lake for swimmers with mobility challenges

•Disabled parking spots closer to the beach

•Improved boat launch

•Floating docks on both sides of the boat launch (where people can tie up their boats while they park or retrieve trailers)

•Dock for boat moorage (where overnight campers can tie up their boats or day boaters can tie up while enjoying the park)

•Treating storm water that used to flow into the lake

•New picnic shelter

Dave Somers, Snohomish County executive, said, “With more accessibility and cleaner water, a great park has become even better.”

Wenberg boasts 45 acres of park space with 70 campground sites and 1,140 feet of freshwater shoreline. The county took over management in 2009 from the state. For details go to SnoCoParks.org.

The address of the park is 15430 E. Lake Goodwin Rd., Stanwood.