The next community meeting for the Ballinger Park Master Plan is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 2 at the Ballinger Clubhouse, 23000 Lakeview Drive in Mountlake Terrace.

Berger Partnership will review and discuss three preliminary drawings that show different elements in relation to environmental and activity spaces in the park.

At the first meeting, over 75 interested people attended to help shape the future of Ballinger Park. The 42-acre property was previously used as a municipal golf course and was converted to a passive park when golf course operators stepped away in 2012.

Meeting participants had an array of suggestions for the park including keeping it natural as an “escape” from city living as well as adding walking and bike trails, benches, drinking fountains and community gardens. Other ideas for enhancements such as a bandstand or amphitheatre, fenced area for dogs, fishing pier, concession for canoe and kayak rentals, a play area for children, and more beach access were provided.

Several attendees emphasized the need to keep the park as an area of solitude and a natural habitat for water and bird wildlife. Some of the concerns raised included protection of wildlife, noise, geese control, invasive plants, water quality, and funding for improvements.

The purpose of the Ballinger Park Master Plan is to create a clear and concise set of goals, policies and objectives that will provide direction to the city for future development, redevelopment and enhancement opportunities of the park.

Next steps include continued public outreach, development of the preferred plan, identification of capital needs, and funding strategies.

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Recreation and Parks Director Jeff Betz at 425-640-3101 or jbetz@ci.mlt.wa.us.