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www.northcountyoutlook.com
Vol. 14 No. 36 n May 19, 2021 - May 25, 2021
MARYSVILLE • ARLINGTON • SMOKEY POINT • LAKEWOOD • TULALIP • QUIL CEDA VILLAGE
Stronger Together event highlights local diversity By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com This year’s Stronger Together event had discussions around issues of equity and celebrated diversity throughout the Stillaguamish Valley. The event had online activities, such as classes and book readings, and outside activities such as a guided tour through the Stillaguamish Valley. “We want to bring awareness through education,” said Will Nelson, one of the organizers of the event and a member of the Native American Blackfeet Nation. “We want to create unity through community." The House of Tears Carvers from the Lummi See STRONGER on page 2
PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER ANDERSSON
Lakewood Elementary students Nylah Smith, left, and Nolen Smith leave their car for school on May 14.
Most Lakewood students back at school full time By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com
PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER ANDERSSON
Douglas James, left, and Saim’elwit James perform a traditional Native American song during Arlington’s Stronger Together event on May 16 in front of a traditional totem pole going on a national journey.
Lakewood elementary and middle school students returned to full-time inperson instruction in May which will continue to end their school year. Elementary school students returned to five-daysa-week instruction begin-
ning on May 3 while middle school students returned on May 10. Local schools have been closed since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020 and have relied on online learning over the past year. The Lakewood School
See LAKEWOOD on page 3
Marysville opens Olympic View Park By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com Marysville’s new Olympic View Park gives the Sunnyside neighborhood a place to sit and enjoy the sights of the Qwuloolt Estuary and the Olympic mountains. City officials held the grand opening for the park on May 7. The park is located at 4202 59th Dr. NE, Marysville, and connects with the Ebey Waterfront Trail. It features a couple of benches, picnic tables, a restroom and a couple of musical activities for children. A slide is also at the site, however it is not open quite yet. “We identified a slight correction that needed to be fixed for the installation,” said Marysville city administrator Gloria Hirashima.
She said that is a ‘minor fix.’ City officials began working on plans for the park about 14 years ago. “This was prior to the Qwuloolt Estuary being constructed, but we knew the plans were in place for that project,” she said. The Tulalip Tribes purchased a large amount of property near the Ebey Slough and the Sunnyside neighborhood that was formerly used as farmland. Beginning with the breaking of the levee the tribes have been restoring the area as a wetland over the last few years. “We knew a park overlooking that environmental project would be a real value to the citizens,” said Hirashima. The city worked with Sound Transit, which was required by state law to preserve See PARK on page 6
Marysville’s new Olympic View Park on May 14.
PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER ANDERSSON
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