EVERETT, MARCH 13: The three floating docks at Silver Lake’s Thornton A. Sullivan Park are getting a well needed upgrade and repair. In 2025, the Everett City Council adopted a funding ordinance to pay for the design and engineering for the proposed repairs to the docks in the amount of $140,000. A new proposed ordinance that will amend this previous ordinance will provide an additional $70,000 which will include all costs related for the repairs and construction.
The project is to include all three docks at Thornton A. Sullivan Park at Silver Lake, one of Everett’s most appreciated parks and a major source for water-based activities for generations of users.
The shoreline and beach at Silver Lake serve as major year-round attractions. The three floating docks are an integral feature of beach activity, serving the general public as well as organized programming with the city and other groups.
At well-over thirty years old, the floating docks are long-overdue for oft-deferred maintenance. Parks and Facilities will undertake the first major renovation of the docks as an interim solution to a longer-term vision for a new state-of the-art pier/dock system that meets current ecological and design standards.
Based on a preliminary assessment by engineers that was conducted in December of 2023, needed repairs include: resurfacing due to significant spalling and delamination of the concrete surfaces. These surfaces can pose trip hazards and render the docks non-ADA compliant.
Also included is a lot of necessary repairs with the replacement of rotting bull rails, perimeter walers and edge/rub boards; replacing missing through-rods that connect and stabilize the float sections, as well as other various replacements and upgrades. In addition, the shore re-grading where the docks and access gangways meet the beach will be upgraded to minimize grounding and excessive lateral pitch of the docks.
The council anticipated receiving funding approval this week, resulting in the contractor getting approval to proceed. The work is expected to start soon, and the docks will be closed to the public from the start of construction until work is completed, which is anticipated as being the end of May.
For more information on this project and any city council issues go to www.everettwa.gov.
