Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon will join neighbors Wednesday, Oct. 27, to celebrate the official reopening of Lake Goodwin Community Park’s playground, destroyed this past summer by arson.
Residents, businesses and local leaders will gather at 4 p.m. for a brief dedication followed by a discussion of what steps residents want next to beautify the area.
“Community response to the damage was significant and impressive,” Reardon said. “Numerous fundraisers were held, but mostly residents made it clear they will not tolerate such criminal activity.”
About $30,000 in monetary and equipment donations has made it possible to replace many of the playground pieces lost July 26 in an early morning fire that officials said was purposely set. About $100,000 in damages was recorded, and an investigation is ongoing.
The playground was reopened in mid-September with donated equipment by Kompan and High Wire Inc. Neighbors and businesses also chipped in, offsetting the cost to repair and replace playground equipment.
Nonprofit and business donors have included the Lake Goodwin Community Club, Silvana Meats, Stanwood Haggen Foods, Stanwood QFC, Thrasher's Corner Pub & Grill Benefit Golf Tournament and the Pam Moffett Memorial Fund.
Donations for playground improvements continue to be accepted. They can be sent to Snohomish County Parks, 6705 Puget Park Dr., Snohomish, WA, 98296, with “Lake Goodwin Community Park Playground” specified.
Lake Goodwin Community Park is located at 4620 Lakewood Road, Stanwood.

For more information, contact Parks Director Tom Teigen at 425-388-6600 or tom.teigen@snoco.org.