Tell Us What You Think - Park System Needs (closed)

We are asking community members what kinds of improvements would make Lynnwood's parks more welcoming, inclusive, environmentally resilient and support better health to help us identify and prioritize capital projects for the next ten years. So, we want to know:

What makes a park feel welcoming to you? 

How can parks support your health?

What environmental issues matter most to you?

What park improvements would make our parks more useable for people of all ages and abilities?

  1. Laura St. Germain
    I would like to see some improvements made to North Lynnwood Park. This park is used daily by so many community members (I would guess it averages over 100 daily users, especially on weekends and summer days). I walk my dogs there daily and also bring my two kids there to play at least 3-4 times per week. I would advocate for investment made to the south side of the park where there used to be a wading pool and now there is a climbing rock only with the wading pool area as mostly unused space. There could be a skate park added, or an additional climbing structure for kids, or another shelter that families can use for events. I propose to keep the climbing rock, as kids love it, but add something more useful to the area. Also, there could be additional trees planted in that area, as families often seek the shelter of the trees in the summer. There are so many options to make better use of that space!
  2. Yuro G
    Parks are good but right now transients should be number one priority 196th and hwy 99 , I-5 and 44th, areas around grocery stores both Fred Meyers on 44th, 164th really bad, Walmart on hwy 99. Do not let Lynnwood become Seattle. Programs that take officers off the street like kids and cops should be suspended until transient problem been dealt with. Use city’s resources appropriately. Thank you.
  3. Christi Hendrickson
    I think Lynnwood parks are great but would love it if pickle ball courts were added to Lynndale park.
    1. Kristi C
      Agree on adding pickleball courts at Lynndale park.
  4. Brandon Duncan
    The parks would be more usable if there were more of them well distributed throughout the city.
  5. Katie McKeown
    Love our Lynnwood parks! My dog and I walk through Meadowdale Neighborhood Park and the Meadowdale playfields several times per week. They are well cared for and the playfields always have an energetic, happy vibe.

    Additional trails in the Lund's Gulch area are a huge opportunity--we could have a world class trail system in our backyard, connecting to the already popular Meadowdale Beach. Would also love to see Lynnwood have its first ever disc golf course, which could be designed around natural features and provide another activity for people to enjoy in the outdoors. The parks are such a huge reason I love living in Lynnwood--keep up the great work!
  6. Vernon Huffman
    We should practice permaculture in the parks. Rather than wasting fuel for lawns, we could produce free food for the community with minimal inputs. We could sequester excess atmospheric carbon into the soil and fight catastrophic climate change. Engage people overwhelmed by grocery expenses to help plant food forests, as Atlanta and other cities have done.
    1. Nina Fox
      What a fantastic idea!!!
    2. Marcia Smith
      YES! I support this idea. I was thinking of raised garden beds similar to the ones by the Senior Center as part of the permaculture project.
  7. George Smith
    Pickle ball is an extremely popular and fast growing sport that can be played by people of all ages.
    Several of us pb players would like to see the tennis courts at Lynndale Park, as well as other City of Lynnwood court facilities, re-striped to include pickle ball courts.
  8. Nina Fox
    I like the maintenance team at north lynnwood community park. The park itself is amazing, although I wish there would be more shade in the summer. Suggestion - trees planting.
    Also, over the summer time, the number of people at the park, especially picnic shelters can reach up to 100 of people. I wish there would be a limit on the crowd. Otherwise, it is not enjoyable to be at the park.
  9. Sang Kyung Kim
    My souse is disabled from a car accident and currently he cannot walk without a cane, also he cannot walk on not flat ground. so if the park ground would be made being flat, it will be so helpful for my spouse to practice/exercise by walking around the park. thanks.
  10. Trang Nguyen
    I know all these require money and it will be entirely up to budget. Many of these suggestions most likely have been given consideration. Priority for me would be: 1.Bathrooms 2.Proper lighting &parking spaces 3.Trash & Recycling Bins for plastic/compost 4. Some exercise equipment for grown ups 5. Trailway paths that are pebbled
  11. Lynn Caiazza
    I found the below in the2016-2035 Parks, Arts, Recreation & Conservation Plan. I still believe this is a great idea and know it needs time for planning. While that is being addressed, there are improvement that can be made at the Lynndale Dog park. The park is great for community time with neighbors and dogs. However, there is only a poorly designed water fountain outside the park to provide water for the dogs. And in the winter it's complete shut off requiring dog owners to provide water for the park. People have put up makeshift shelves to hold old water containers for people to take home and fill up. Dogs need a water source, especially when actively playing.

    There are also no additional light sources around the park. As people don't get off of work until dusk or dark, it makes the park inaccessible as the park closes at dusk. It also just feels very unsafe as the park is located next to a wooded area with paths.

    Last - there is only parking for about 6-7 cars. Not many people realize they can park in the Parrinville lot on the opposite side of the park and leave. The park can get very busy, especially in the summer.

    An off-leash dog area provides a location where residents can exercise and socialize dogs.
    This is especially important for residents who have small yards. With higher density planned
    for the City Center, Lynnwood should evaluate the future need for designated off-leash
    areas. As the City grows, residents with smaller yards will seek out alternatives to exercise
    their dogs, and consideration should be given before dog/people conflicts become common
    along trails or in City parks. Respondents to the community survey placed off-leash dog
    areas in the upper third of development priorities for outdoor recreation facilities.
    At least a one- to two-acre site should be considered, in a location away from natural
    resource areas, for future development of an off-leash dog area. The site should also be
    safe, not isolated, and noise impacts on neighbors should be considered. Ideally, a dog park
    would be a component to a larger community park, where infrastructure (parking, restrooms,
    garbage collection) exists and supports multiple activities. Lynnwood should look to partnership
    opportunities in the development of future (or additional) off-leash dog areas; communities
    throughout the Northwest have relied on grassroots or non-profit organizations for the on-
    going operations and maintenance of such facilities
  12. Barry Stone
    Lindane Dog Park needs more parking, better water supply and lights for late afternoon in winter.
  13. Stephanie Wu
    Love the Lynndale park! Maintained trails, fields for kids and the dog park. Would be great if we could add lights to the parks - skate park, dog park & courts so folks can still get out after 4 or 5 during the winter season.
  14. David Barber
    I would like to see Gold Park re-developed into a new Dog Park, similar to the one at Lynndale Park. Clear out existing trees and add fencing. I've lived in the area a couple of decades now, and this park has always been under utilized. This change would also address the ongoing criminal issues that have plauged this park over the years that continue to escalate.

    https://lynnwoodtoday.com/update-body-dead-man-found-gold-park/
  15. Rick Proctor
    Bicycle friendly infrastructure with restrooms.
    1. Sarah Olson
      @Rick - do you have specific park locations in mind? I'm sure you mean them all but we would love to know what are the priorities! Thank you!
  16. Amy Turner-McVey
    Parks should have useable spaces for a variety of uses. Great kid friendly playground structures ( like Logan Park, NOT like Martha Lake Park. Off leash dog parks. Beautiful wooded areas that are groomed and well maintained.
    The more inviting the space the more people are there. This reduces the likely hood of homeless people moving in and drug deals running rampant.
  17. Keith Kendall
    Rehab Scribber Lake Make it our crown jewel. Maintain existing & keep dedicating more land to parks & protected habitat.
  18. Sherry Baker
    Pioneer Park desperately need waste receptacles. I would also like an enclosed off leash area for pets. Folks are currently using the tennis courts for this purpose so it’s obvious that this is a much desired feature. The tennis courts are in terrible condition anyway maybe converting one of them would be a cost effective measure.
  19. Gordon Sata
    It makes sense to develop parks that engage new communities, and that exactly what indoor and outdoor Pickleball courts will do.

    It is a striving advantage for any city.
  20. Gilbert Jacqueline
    It would be nice to have some energy efficient lighting for the lynndale dog parking lot and maybe some around the perimeter of the dog park itself.
  21. Jennifer Swift
    Lynndale off-leash area is fabulous but could definitely use some love. Parking is minimal, water accessibility is poor, and lighting in the winter is non-existent. I'd also love to see both lighting and improvements to Pioneer Park. I think converting part of the space into an off-leash area would be amazing for the neighborhood, as there are no other close-by areas - thus why I go to Lynndale, but having one closer would be great. Currently the tennis courts are being used as off leash areas, which goes to show how much of a need there is.
  22. Melissa Zimmermann

    North Lynnwood Park ("Dragon Park") is in dire need of upgrades! This is quite a well-utilized park from what I have seen. The play equipment is pretty dilapidated and small. Barely anything for the 2-5 year olds. For bigger kids, it’s just tiny. The park has a ton of underutilized space. The open field is fine for kite flying, kicking balls around, etc, but it has serious drainage problems and seems to stay muddy into July. Closer to the school boundary is a very strange area with a sunken wood chip ‘field’, a ‘stage’, and a climbing rock. What is this area meant for? I never see kids in there unless they are big enough to clamber up onto the rock. That whole area should be reimagined --- a space that can be actually used/enjoyed – a community garden? A separate play area for the 2-5 year olds? As it is, it is really wasted space.

    We visited a newly updated park in Everett, Emma Yule Park. We were really amazed at the quality and quantity of play equipment there, all set in a springy fake turf setting with a path for scooters/bike all the way around. It also lacked shade but it was so refreshing and fun with unusual play structures that we just loved it.
  23. Don Fornoff
    Utilize volunteers in improving the infrastructures of each of the parks (other than built structures like bathrooms and tennis/pickleball courts, etc.) Friends of the parks?
  24. Duane Karna
    Thank you for seeking comments from Lynnwood residents for recommendations on improving access to Lynnwood’s parks. My comments concern mainly our neighborhood Pioneer Park, but may have application for other parks.

    Signage: Lynnwood has blue signs posted around the city directing traffic to the mall, golf course, convention center, etc. Pioneer Park is tucked between the Alderwood Heights apartments and residential housing to the west where access is possible directly from the east ends 180th and 184th Place SW and indirectly from 185th. Blue signs posted at the intersections of 180th & 40th and 184th & 40th would be helpful in directing foot traffic from the west to this small park by new residents and people visiting the neighborhood. I am aware of the large signs on 36th, but the additional signage would be helpful to those coming from the west.

    Similar signage at the intersection of 189th and 68th for Lynndale Park would be useful for me as I am never quite certain which street to turn on when visiting that park.

    Improved Access: When Pioneer Park was developed in the 1980’s, the home owner living on the south side of the east end of 180th Place, as part of giving his blessing to the park, discouraged any access to the park as he had been living next to the undeveloped Hunter homestead for years and did not want the increased traffic in front of his house. (You can check the administrative record on this, if you can find it. I believe the guy also was also not in favor of a neighborhood effort for a larger park which was being negotiated with the developers.) The sidewalk now ends at a 6 ft high chain link fence which has an opening mid street for access. I believe the fence needs to be removed and the sidewalk continued into the park. The chain link fence at the end of the street should also be removed be removed and the gravel area at the top of the stairs leading to the path into the wooded area should be paved. This is the second time I have made this comment to the Parks Department.

    I am very thankful for the local Boy Scout troop that has been involved in developing and maintaining this path.

    Sincerely,
    Duane Karna
  25. Jimi Vernie
    There are so many Pickleball players searching area-wide for covered Pickleball courts. This isn’t just a sport it’s a way to keep people fit and socially active- sure ways to promote mental health. Please ask the Pickleball community for ideas!