The Mountlake Terrace City Council has approved the purchase of a three-acre parcel of undeveloped land adjacent to Terrace Creek Park.

The land will be purchased using grant funds from Snohomish County’s Conservation Futures Program for $270,000.

Snohomish County established the “Conservation Futures Program” in 1988 to preserve open space, farmland, agricultural land and timberland. The program is funded through a levy on properties throughout the County.

The Harms Family owned the property for many years. Ken Harms was a former Mountlake Terrace Recreation and Parks Director back in the 1960s. Jo Harms explained that it was the family’s wish that the land would provide more open space to the city and be protected from development.

“On behalf of the city, I would like to thank Jo Harms and her family for their generosity in offering this property to the city,” Mayor Jerry Smith said.

Terrace Creek Park, also known as “Candy Cane Park” is a 60-acre park located along 48^th Avenue, north of 236^th Street S.W. to 221^st Street. It is the largest park in Mountlake Terrace. Its amenities include paved and natural hiking trails, a large playground, a gazebo, picnic tables, barbecue grills and a grass field. It also features an 18-hole disc golf course.