Everett’s Forest Park to Undergo Restoration

Everett’s Forest Park, which lies along Mukilteo Boulevard in the center of the city, has been selected as a site for the Urban Forestry Restoration Project, administered by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program. Here’s a press release from City Spokesperson Kate Reardon…

Forest Park is the largest park in the City of Everett and is one of the oldest. Its forested area was planted by WPA crews in the 1930s. As this area approaches maturity some eighty years later, a five acre section of the forest is in major decline. From the loss of the forest canopy, invasive species such as blackberry, ivy, holly and laurel have exploded in numbers. These invasive non-native plants prevent forested areas from providing our community the full benefits and services of healthy forests by competing for water and nutrients, and in some cases even killing trees. Many undesirable plants that grow in dense thickets also harbor rodents that may create public safety hazards.

During the month of June, a Washington Conservation Corps team will remove the invasive species and a number of dead and dying trees from the forested area between the lower ball field and Mukilteo Boulevard. Everett Parks and Recreation crews will assist in the removal of a number of dead and hazardous trees.

Once the unwelcome plants are gone, the WCC crew will participate in the planting of the new plant materials for the forest to include both trees and understory plantings. The trees were chosen for disease resistance along with attempting to resemble the original plant palette, while introducing more native species. This list includes:

Thuja plicata -Western Red Cedar

Picea sitchensis -Sitka Spruce

Acer circinatum -Vine Maple

Rhamnus purshiana -Cascara

Pinus strobus -E. White Pine

Thuja plicata ‘Sensation’ (aurea) – Golden Cedar

Sequoiadendron giganteum -Giant Sequoia

Calocedrus decurrens –Incense Cedar

Sequoiadenron gigan. ‘glacum’ –White Giant Sequoia

For more information about the Urban Forestry Restoration Project, contact Micki McNaughton at 360-902-1637 or micki.mcnaughton@dnr.wa.gov. The Washington State Urban and Community Forestry Program is made possible through a partnership with the USDA Forest Service.