The contented cows and heirloom apple trees will remain, but other things are changing at Tollgate Farm under Si View Park District’s plan for a new recreation area at the North Bend green space.

Si View’s board of directors is expected to greenlight master plans Wednesday, Oct. 21, calling for a new park on 13 acres at the 21-acre site, fronting North Bend Way west of the city center.

The park would be paid for with a $6 million bond, likely to come before district voters next August.

Si View Executive Director Travis Stombaugh recommended one of three options considered by the board. The recommended plan would build trails, bathrooms, a picnic area, a play structure, parking and fencing on the site, and also encompass improvements at Si View Park and Shamrock Park. Cows would continue to graze on Tollgate, while a path would connect the park to the Snoqualmie Valley Trail.

Other options up for considerations include an $8 million “cadillac” option with baseball and soccer fields at Tollgate, and a stripped-down $5 million version focused solely on Si View and Shamrock Parks.

Survey results

The recommended options follows the top requests made in a 2008 survey of district residents. Most requested needs included walking and biking trails, natural areas and wildlife habitats, and large community parks.

“It encompasses what the community most desires, and what they’re willing to pay for,” Stombaugh said.

“Our community has indicated a desire and value in investing in parks and trails,” Si View Commissioner Kevin Haggerty told the Valley Record by e-mail. “As a regional park district, I think it is important for the commission to expand beyond Si View and meet our mission of expanding recreational opportunities throughout the Valley.”

Haggerty said it makes sense for Si View to preserve the views and create parking lots and trails at Tollgate Farm.

“My Tollgate priorities are to provide access, create a connected trail system and develop the infrastructure so that the park district citizens can use and enjoy the park,” he said.

Haggerty said he is confident that voters will support improvements to Si View and Tollgate.

“The cost of the bond package we are considering are well below what the majority of voters said they would support,” he said.

“Si View is a community treasure, well worth preserving and upgrading,” Haggerty added. “The commission has been fiscally responsible in operating the facility and we have earned a AA bond rating. I think now is the time to support the park.”

Following a board decision Wednesday, Si View would begin work on an agreement to lease part of the farm from North Bend. A bond campaign would begin next spring.

Stombaugh said that Si View can explore partnerships in improving the field. While few groups are likely to partner on a parking lot, building the infrastructure “opens up options for fields when you can tap into the soccer associations, baseball associations, King County youth facility grants.”

Si View has already embarked on a $1.1 million modernization project at its North Bend community center. Work includes construction of a new public plaza and parking area, safer child pick-up area, landscaping features and a U.S. flag. Also getting attention are several roof leaks, seismic safety upgrades and refurbishing of the original siding.

All work must retain the original look of the 1938 building.

While Si View’s historic character makes for some development challenges, “it adds another layer” to the center’s role community, Stombaugh said.

Not included as part of this bond is modernization of Si View’s kitchen. Upgrades there would boost the center’s ability to host caterers for special events, such as weddings and benefit auctions.

Improvements at Shamrock Park include plans to expose its river view.

Si View is currently paying for the center project out of operational funding. Passage of a bond would free up those funds for community programs.

Si View heritage

Tollgate was set aside several years ago to save the viewshed, according to Stombaugh. He said that park developments will improve the viewshed by removing invasive species and providing regular maintenance.

Visitor-oriented signs at the park could reflect on the farm’s heritage. Still growing at the park, heirloom apple trees are said to hearken back to cores left behind by wagon-train pioneers.

Stombaugh stressed the new Tollgate’s role in helping the Valley’s economy.

“It would be a regional park and regional draw,” he said. “It’s another reason for people to visit North Bend.”