Update - Neighbors to Save Wellington Park now has a webpage & we're in Facebook too

Click here for NSWP's new webpage.
NeighborstoSaveWellingtonPark.com

And, we also have a Facebook page:
Check out (and like) NSWP's FB Save Wellingon Park.

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... a few popular blog postings

What is going on? 

Evolution of park plan

What is a Mountain Bike Building?

Part 1: Miner's Corner Park - w/ links to Parts 2, 3

The Teigen Plan

Artificial turf fields are expensive non-essentials

Change one thing ...






and, thank you for following this blog.

It's been cold, there's a bit of snow on the ground along with patches of road ice - Now's a perfect moment to look-back at a past November

Wellington Hills Park and 240th St. during a typical "Convergent Zone" snow. 

photos taken November 27, 2006 by Bill Stankus

71st Dr. SE, walking towards 240th St.

                                                       

Golf Course, south side of 240th

                                                    

240th St. and view to the west

                                                         

Looking downhill, first curve 240th St.

Stuck cars seen from first curve 240th St.

Walking past cars, view of last 240th curve before Rt.9

240th St. curve uphill of Primus Bldg./asphalt recycling co.

Drivers attempted going up or down 240th St. - same results

Powerful vehicles - stuck in ditch

Waiting for a tow

Sanding trucks could only go so far uphill from Rt. 9

Obviously the "Road Closed" sign was effective

Down on Rt 9. plowing & sanding helped - once the snow stopped falling

One after another, ditch parking on Rt 9 from 240th St. south to 195th St.

Happy & safe holiday driving - Remember, keep faith in yourself and the drivers near you - real winter is about to begin.

Beyond Wellington Hills Park: Why Preservation of the Park is Critical - Part 3

links to Part 1 ... Part 2   Part 4  Part 5

Travel-wise, as we journey to the west of Wellington Hills Park -

... the asphalt & concrete recycling business located just outside the boundary of Wellington Hills Park.

The following photos were taken before the retention wall re-building project we are currently witnessing.  

View southward from Wellington Hills Park (from that line of skinny trees).

featured:
• Roof of building no. 1, "Wellington Business Park"
• Used car lot inventory
• Glass manufacturer 

 

View southward from Wellington Hills Park (from that line of skinny trees).

featured:
• Roof of building no. 1, "Wellington Business Park"
• Route 9
• Costco

View southward from Wellington Business Park parking lot.

featured:
• Costco - store and parking lot
• Route 9
• Exit ramp from Highway 522
• Back of billboard

Photos by Bill Stankus

The message still applies - from August 2012

WILL YOU PUSH BACK?

If you saw a punk throw a rock through a neighbor’s window ... would you call the police?

If a loudmouth insulted your family ... would you tell them to shut up?

What if there's a terrible winter’s storm and power was lost ... would you help your neighbors if they were cold and hungry? 

What pushes you to stand up and do the right thing? What is your tipping point?

Guess what, with little regard for you or me, Snohomish County is saying that your house and property is no more important than a vacant lot in some dingy urban area.

The fact is - Snohomish County is deciding to force-fit a tournament-level sports complex on top of the Wellington Hills Golf Course ... and they don’t give a rat’s ass about how it will negatively change your daily life and alter the quality of living you’ve come to expect in your quiet residential locale.

Make no mistake about it … if they build their over-sized commercial sports complex there will be constant traffic, maddening traffic congestion and loud, erratic noise throughout the area.

To make matter worst, the greatest amount of traffic and noise will be during your weekends and evening hours.

So I ask, can you afford to be a bystander regarding this issue?

The choice is simple … don’t let bureaucratic bullies change your life.

Please, contact us, make a donation to our legal fund or drop a note telling us you'd like to be part of the effort to Save Our Neighborhood … Neighbors to Save Wellington Park.

Bill Stankus
August 3, 2012

Route 9 & 240th St. SE - The Costco Intersection

The following photos were taken during a 15 minute period, just after 10am, March 17, 2014

Why take photos at this location?

Because this intersection is considered, by the people who have proposed the sports complex, as the main entrance to their warped re-make of Wellington Hills Park.

 

 

 

  

 

photos by Bill Stankus
March 2014

ps: While I was taking these photos a number of westbound drivers shouted positive encouragements.. such as, "Hey, Bill, keep up the good work!" ... "Yeah! Tell 'em they're crazy." ... "Way to go!" ... and there were a few that just smiled, waved and pumped their fists. 

So, whoever you are, thank you for the good vibes.

Another Letter to the Editor, Woodinville Weekly, March 10, 2014

in the Woodinville Weekly

It is unfortunate that the government official, Parks Director Tom Teigen, continues to make many misleading and false statements about his plans and actions.

I feel it is essential to continue to call him on that. Ms. Stewart was generous when she said Teigen makes “a lot of statements that are only half true.”

Mr Teigen says he’s met with the community repeatedly and has responded to their concerns. In truth, he had the entire complex designed before ever meeting openly with residents. At the first actual public meeting his message was that it’s a “done deal.”

Teigen has said he’s being open with residents. In truth, during the recent “public comment period” for his permit application, the plans residents were supposed to comment on simply weren’t available.

Teigen said critics of his plans make up a small percentage of the community. In truth, at the recent Woodinville Council meeting over 25 residents spoke out in firm opposition to Teigen’s sports complex. Residents in favor: Zero.

Yet Mr Teigen, as quoted in your article, dismisses the residents who have expressed an opinion and arrogantly claims those who haven’t spoken up are on his side. (Support from zero people?)

Teigen claims only 25 acres will be developed. In truth, his application asks permission to clear nearly twice that amount.

Teigen’s traffic study describes Woodinville-Snohomish Road as being a “five-lane” road. In truth, it has five lanes ONLY from the exit from Costco to the 522 on ramp. A distance not even half the length of Costco’s parking lot.

The one accurate thing he said is that the Wellington area is a buffer between the commercial and industrial area and the residential area. A buffer which Teigen wants to eliminate by filling the area with a commercial complex.

“They say we’re ruining the rural character, but we’re actually preserving it,” he said.
No doubt Mr Teigen also believes he has to destroy the village to save it.

Sean Martin, Woodinville

My Letter to Editor, Woodinville Weekly, Jan. 27, 2014

Woodinville Weekly, Letters to the Editor - Jan. 27, 2014  

Does the Snohomish County Council or the Parks Department understand the difference between "appropriate" and "inappropriate" or the concept of fiscal responsibility?

Their plan to replace Wellington Hills Park with a "regional tournament-level athletic field site" puts both the City of Woodinville and south Snohomish County in a precarious situation.

Their plan is so huge and so disruptive that it would radically change the area and the quality of our daily lives. Look through your kitchen window and imagine this … a sports complex that would cover as much ground as Safeco Field … in a rurally zoned residential area.

If their plan proceeds, the areas on both sides of 240th SE (between Costco and 195th) will be drastically changed.

Drastic means de-watering the area and then removing 250,000 cubic yards of soil from the south side of 240th and dumping it on the rolling terrain seen on the north side of 240th.

Once both sides of 240th St. are flattened, the existing natural scenery would be replaced with four artificial-turf fields with stadium lights and three grass fields. Additionally, there would be parking for 700+ cars, a traffic circle, a 60,000 square-foot "activities building" and a 50,000 sq. ft. commercial indoor mountain bike facility.

Not only is the proposed plan for a regional sports complex inappropriate for a residential neighborhood, it is rife with problems, contradictions and waste.

If it’s built, we will have new traffic jams and more congestion, unprecedented noise and light pollution, an increase in crime, lower property values and the possibility of required sewer and water hook-ups.

The proposed special interests plan is a waste of public money that will result in unnecessary development and the inappropriate use of an existing natural park.

Please, speak up and tell the Snohomish County Council, the County Executive and their Parks Department to act responsibly with our taxpayer money and rethink this outrageous plan.

Bill Stankus, Woodinville

The Teigen Plan for Wellington Hills Park

from the County's webpage

Kinda makes Costco look small, doesn't it?

Note - The intersection at Costco (Rt. 9 and 240th St) is intended to be the main entrance to the proposed Wellington Hills Regional Sports Complex.

Yes, what she said

A tale of two County properties

Despite whatever is occurring in the backrooms of Snohomish County's Dept. of Parks and Recs, there's the reality of "today".

There's also the perception of how the Land appears and the potential of what can happen.

Here are two photos - both taken today.

The first is at Wellington Hills Park (quite naturally) and the other is what Snoco's Parks and Rec is doing at Miner's Corner (228th and 45th).

photos by Bill Stankus
July 2013

Round One - Citizens score, Snohomish Parks & Rec gets rebuked

As the story unfolds, Sauron, Dark Lord of Mordor, in his quest for world domination, sends vicious orcs to consume The Land and everything on it.

I wish it were that simple.

During the past months, a few bystanders have said, “The County will do whatever they want, they don’t listen to citizens, no one can stop them – there’s no reason for me to get involved.”

Oh, that is so wrong!

The first battle with Snohomish County and their minions has happened… and they did not “win. We won the battle.

On Wednesday, June 19th, the Snohomish County Hearing Examiner ruled that he does not have jurisdiction to hear the SEPA appeals. In his Order Regarding Jurisdiction, the Hearing Examiner agreed with our position that the “Notice of Action was improperly used”.

What that means: The Department of Parks and Rec screwed-up. 

And now, the Department of Parks and Rec has to re-set, go back to the beginning and devise another plan for exerting their development plans on the Good People of Wellington Hills, Woodinville and their Wellington Hills Park. 

Bottom line … People can make a difference.

But it ain’t easy.

Neighbors to Save Wellington Park has committed to a legal battle with Snohomish County.  And, before you ask, yes, we’ve tried many times to talk with County people about their plans – and the County Council has consistently remained at arm’s length, essentially refusing to engage in meaningful dialog. Others in the County have simply lied to us.

If you want to help stop the over-development of Wellington Hills… and the Park, now is a good time to step-up.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

•• Join us, come to our planning meetings and lend a hand.

•• We need your donations.  Whether it's combat with orcs or waging a legal battle with bureaucrats, the process is expensive.  Our guy, Rick Aramburu, is a top-notch Land Use Attorney who knows the issues and has been successful in prior cases.

•• Send us a check … as often as you can.

•• Go to the easy-to-use PayPal button in the side column.  It permits you to use any type of credit card.  If you’re not familiar with PayPal – it has been an eBay financial tool for years. 

Help us.  We don’t want or need commercial development, traffic jams and huge parking lots in residential neighborhoods.

THIS IS A LINE-IN-THE-SAND ISSUE!

HELP US TO STOP A CRAZY PLAN!

JOIN US & SAY “NO” TO UNCHECKED OVER-DEVELOPMENT AND SPRAWL!

Tragedy on 240th St. SE

Saturday, June 22, 2013, about 11:15am. I was stopped as I was driving west on 240th St. and told to turn around, the road was blocked and a most awful of tragedies had happened.

A bicyclist was hit by a vehicle and killed.

The accident occurred midway between the western boundary of Wellington Hills Park and the intersection with Route 9.

I feel nothing but sadness and grief, how horrible.

 -----

The photo.
The caution tape is currently wrapped around the gate for the Wellington Hills Park parking lot - the reason for it - I don't know - but it seems appropriate considering what happened a few hundred feet to the west.

-----

Bill Stankus

Recap. Links. Message.

Instead of photos of a beautiful park and majestic hawks

 ... I thought I would provided links to several past postings.  Just click on the following and it will take you to the original story.

• This is how it is

• Wellington Hills Park-Woodinville-Snohomish County. What's going on?

• What is a mountain bike building?

• Revisiting a Bad Idea

• Google views and the County's Master Plan for Wellington Hills Park

• County Public Works, plans for 240th SE

• Public space at Brightwater

I realize we live in tough economic times but it is expensive for your neighbors to have a legal battle against our own government.  We know they're in error but unless we proceed with legal actions I'm afraid their wrongs will be lost in bulldozer dust.

  • Change one thing expect large ripples

Check the right side column for donation information.  

You can send a check to our POB or you can use a credit card and PayPal.

Thank you,

Bill Stankus

Where will they go? UPDATED

If Snohomish County and their Department of Parks and Recs have their way and bulldoze Wellington Hills Park for parking lots and concession stands ...

I wonder where birds, such as this magnificent hawk, will go?

 just added - another photo

Seen today in the Wellington Hills forest.






"Human cruelty goes by many names"

Change one thing, expect large ripples

Building the proposed Wellington Hills Park Sports Complex just might be the same as pulling a loose string in mommy's wool sweater.  Pull hard enough and the sweater is ruined.  Guess what? That heirloom sweater will never be the same. Snohomish County seems to be in the string pulling business.

The issue of the County's inappropriate plan for a "Regional Tournament-level Sports Complex" is fueled by several factors:

• To build the Brightwater Sewage Plant in Snohomish County, King County gave Snohomish County 70 million mitigation dollars ... which caused Snohomish County authorities to swoon (free money!).

• The nearby Brightwater Sewage Plant is a housing, infrastructure & business growth generator.

• Special interest groups and land developers whispered their siren songs to County authorities.

• In existence, near Brightwater, is a quiet rural community with a jewel-like park.

• The plan: A Sports Complex with artificial turf fields, stadium lights, PA systems, 50,000 sq. ft. indoor sports fields w/ offices, 60,000 sq. ft. indoor mountain bike building & parking for more than 750 cars...

Brightwater Sewage Plant

Wellington Hills Park

In the backwash of the mitigation agreement, a community park was to be provided for those living near Brightwater.  That wasn't good enough for the County, a community park was myopic - They wanted a park that would generate revenue ... So, instead of an appropriately designed park for local residents they proposed a humongous sports complex.

Once again, we're facing another short-sighted version of Manifest Destiny: There's 100 acres of land (the park) - "Let's develop it!" ... We're witnessing another attempt that spreads urbanization where it need not be.  This is local version of the story that's transformed the United States, with all it's aftershocks and fallouts ... sprawl - traffic jams - unnecessary noise and light pollution - almost no land-use planning - spread-out population - minimal effort to design harmony between people and nature leaving people with jangled nerves and zero tranquility.

The following photos are the arc of the boom years of World War II to the present.

It begins with a bulldozer and it never quite ends … except it will probably end badly for both humans and the planet.

It certainly will end badly for Wellington Hills and Woodinville Washington.

Bulldozing orange tree orchards

mass produced housing

frame houses for single families

row upon row

housing engulfs orchards

The myth was born - everyone could own a "castle"

Business was good, lines of people look at model homes

Instant neighborhoods

Old was out, freeways were in

Today's version of a super highway

 Today's landscape: distant city, freeways and sprawl

Of course more cars are needed

Tract homes in the 1960s

Tract homes 2013

Instead of urban planning, every community has this

factories get bigger - people want stuff

Oil is needed for all those homes, cars and factories

Offshore oil is also a boom industry

Coal is in big demand

Open pit mining for more and more consumables

Waste on a grand scale

e waste, another booming business

But, hey, that's progress, right?

Tell me again why a sports complex is more important than a Green Space?

Wellington Hills Park Trees

Photos are from LIFE Google,  Edward Burtynsky's "Manufactured Landscapes" and several are mine.

Bill Stankus
April 2013