Major new additions are coming to the east end of Mountlake Terrace’s Ballinger Park, including a new boat launch, floating boat dock, fishing pier and pathways by fall of 2020. But visitors to the recreation area won’t have to wait as long for new public restrooms planned for the site.

City of Mountlake Terrace officials hope to have the old 1970s-era restrooms at the Ballinger Park boat launch area torn down and replaced with a new facility by “spring of 2020,” said Ken Courtmanch, the city’s Parks Services and Property Management Superintendent.

New public restrooms are part of a $1.123 million upgrade to Ballinger Park currently in its design and engineering phase, but restroom replacement can be fast-tracked, said Courtmanch.

“We expect to be able to accelerate the restroom installation due to different design and permitting requirements,” Courtmanch said.

The new restrooms are anticipated to be a big improvement over the site’s current facility, which has suffered from age and vandalism. The restrooms have been unaccessible lately as the city has locked the doors with heavy-gauge wire and padlocks.

“We are currently in design with the intention of having four family-style ADA restrooms as well as an outdoor shower/rinse station,” Courmanch noted.

Access to the boat launch area of Ballinger Park is located at 23600 Lakeview Dr. in Mountlake Terrace.

— By Doug Petrowski