New name in town: Mukilteo Lighthouse Park

In the end, the lighthouse won out.

Last week, the Mukilteo City Council considered suggestions for renaming Mukilteo State Park, ranging from Elliott Point Park to Mukilteo Parking Lot, but unanimously agreed that Mukilteo Lighthouse Park sounded just right.

The park will become Mukilteo Lighthouse Park as soon as the land is transferred from the state to the city, said City Administrator Richard Leahy.

The council had debated using a name that included "Elliott Point" for the significance of the treaty signed there in 1855 between settlers and Chief Seattle and other tribes. The treaty exchanged Native American land for cash, relocation to reservations, and continued access to traditional fishing and hunting grounds.

Mukilteo resident Bill Gregerson had asked the council to consider naming the park for Elliott Point, the site of the lighthouse, as a way of keeping history alive.

"It will help children remember history," Gregerson said. "And we can make it a tourist destination."

Council members requested that Elliott be commemorated at the park through placards, signs or other educational displays. But the council decided the park is probably better known for the lighthouse, which is also featured on the city's seal.

Members of the Mukilteo Historical Society who lobbied for the lighthouse name said they were happy that the council agreed.

"The lighthouse is the jewel of the city," said Lois Brown, a historical-society member. "It's the only lighthouse in the county, and it's the No. 2 tourist attraction in the county."

State officials agreed to transfer the park to the city after a budget shortfall threatened the closure of several state parks, including the one in Mukilteo.

The council also named 11 undeveloped parks that the city recently had acquired from the county. Many of the parks were known by nicknames, some of which the council decided to make official. The park names:

• The area known as Japanese Gulch will keep its name.

• So-called Triangle Park or Lookout Park was named Totem Park.

• The area known as Deep Ravine was named Mukilteo Olympic View Ravine and Tidelands.

• Goat Trail Park's name is now official.

• The area known as Harbour Heights or High Tides Park was named Mukilteo Possession View Park and Tidelands.

• The area known as Harbour Pointe Park was named Harbour Pointe Village Park.

• Morrow Park was named Mary Lou Morrow Park.

• The nicknames for Big Gulch, Upper Chennault Ravine and Lower Chennault Ravine became official.

• The site also known as Harbour Heights Gulch was named Picnic Point Ravine.

The county did not have plans for the undeveloped land and decided to turn it over to the city, Leahy said. The city does not have money to develop parks, but some of the gulches and ravines could be used for hiking, he said.

Rachel Tuinstra: 425-783-0674 or rtuinstra@seattletimes.com.