David Carlos on June 25 began taking weekly photographs via drone to capture the progress of the fish and wildlife restoration project at Ballinger Park.
And here’s the latest video:
The $5.5 million project aims to transform Ballinger Park into a natural area with wetlands, riparian corridors, natural vegetation, habitat for birds, fish, turtles and amphibians — and hopefully someday to support salmon runs.
A partnership between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Mountlake Terrace, the project includes planting of more than 2,000 native trees and shrubs, redirecting Hall Creek to a new, more-stable channel, and constructing boardwalks, trails and footpaths.
You can read more about the project here.
Our thanks to City of Mountlake Terrace Stormwater Program Manager Laura Reed for captioning the photos.
When is the planned completion date for the project and when can visitors resume walking the entire park? Any chance we’ll be able to access the improved areas in 2024? I check the website regularly for updates, but can’t find a timeline or percentage of completion.
Hi, Heather,
According to the city, the project is anticipated to be completed in summer 2024.
One source for updated information is the city’s newsletter:
https://www.cityofmlt.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/4629
I am glad I can see the big picture now and I wish the community had a chance to understand the full intent before you decided to do this. A lot of people love to use that Park.
It would be nice to know what will be left of the running paths & walking paths that used to be utilized by our local Cross Country runners and the community on the west side of the park. Our community is growing and your public space for recreation seems like it is now shrinking for Lake Ballenger. I for one have watched how many barrier trees and plants appear to be drowning. A large area now floods significantly, and is not usable by the human. Is this permanent ? what percentage of the original park will still be usable and accessible for the community? Please share more so we can all understand. The playfields where many people It’s OK come for recreation are often swamped on the south west . Drainage for the playfield seems to have been reduced in the plan.
This work is PAINFULLY slow. I walk near and around this park two times a day walking our dog. I am also in communication with many regular dog walkers on the Interurban and along Lakeview. The comments are shockingly consistent: when is there actual work happening? We are so appreciative of the work being done on this park and the future it holds for public enjoyment, but holy cow, is this taking a long time. When the dredging of the new creek was taking place – yes – that seemed like there was constant construction. At best, we see a few people here and there at the moment unless I am missing something. Some weekdays, it looks like nobody is there. And the west side of the park has essentially no construction. Why couldn’t that side of the park re-open for public use while some of these final aspects are taken care of? Just cordon off the area where you cannot be and allow folks to start enjoying the open space again. Fully aware I don’t know what I don’t know, but it sure will be nice with the weather we are having to once again be able to enjoy this instead of being forced to be on asphalt the entire time.