The Marysville City Council approved a nearly $4 million project to refurbish Ellis Lake Park, with renovations slated to begin in the fall. The council awarded a $3.82 million contract to TJR Resources, Inc., a general contracting firm. Official records indicate that approximately 75% of the total cost, amounting to $2.906 million, is funded by a Clean California grant, with the City of Marysville contributing the remaining $918,000.
According to City of Marysville Public Works Director Jeramy Chapdelaine, the project encompasses significant improvements. It includes replacing and widening the lakeside path along B Street/Highway 70, extending from above 9th Street north to 14th Street. The path will continue around the north end of the lake along 14th Street toward C Street. The design will feature a combination of concrete sidewalks and a “precast concrete boardwalk,” ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Chapdelaine detailed further enhancements, including the replacement of the pedestrian bridge that connects to Gazebo Island at the end of 12th Street. The accessible path leading to the gazebo and landscaping on the island will also be improved. A new play area is planned near 11th and D streets, on the west side of the lake. Additionally, the initiative will upgrade the park’s lighting, install new benches near fishing areas, add trash cans, and involve the removal of some trees.
While many welcome the planned improvements, community members have expressed serious concerns about how the city will protect the public space after the work is completed. Lynette Vertrees and Amy Grant, members of a Mid-Valley group dedicated to safeguarding wildlife, highlighted the problems that trash and discarded fishing equipment pose to animals and waterfowl at the park. Grant stated that community members have documented multiple cases of waterfowl suffering from fishing line and fishing tackle entanglements, with some injuries requiring wildlife rescue and veterinary assistance. She noted that photographs and public posts document birds with deeply embedded fishing liners, as well as hazardous debris around the lake.
Grant has formally petitioned the city council to ban fishing and install signs containing wildlife rescue information at the park. She also filed a California Public Records Act request with the Marysville police for records related to wildlife-related hazards reported at the park. Vertrees questioned the park’s long-term longevity, asking if the revitalization would attract more people who appreciate the park or more of the same problems, specifically citing drug use as a significant issue.
Chris Jewell, 52, and his daughter Ashley Jewell, 34, who have spent substantial time at the park over their lives in the Mid-Valley, welcomed the news of the park's upcoming facelift while also sharing their concerns. Chris Jewell recalled a time when the park was a focal point for city events before issues like "sludge," "green film," "algae," and "homeless problems" emerged. He recounted witnessing emergency responders recover the body of a homeless man from the lake in the early 2000s. Between 2002 and 2004, three individuals drowned in Ellis Lake, with alcohol, greasy pollution, and slippery algae identified as potential contributing factors in the deaths.
Ashley Jewell, a college student, suggested implementing a moratorium on fishing and installing fencing to mitigate crime and issues associated with the city’s homeless population, stating that if fences are what it takes to protect the park, then that is what it takes. Marysville officials acknowledge these challenges and are actively working to address them. Public Works Director Chapdelaine stated that the city is investigating potential grants that could subsidize the cost of protecting the park once the renovation work is complete. Marysville Police Chief Vance Nabeta confirmed that his department is examining grants for camera-sharing equipment to reduce crime in the public space, emphasizing that protecting public spaces is a priority for the department. He noted that he patrols the park himself when his schedule permits. Chris Jewell expressed hope for the park’s future, noting its potential as an excellent place for joggers and bikers, believing people will come if they feel safe, and highlighted the importance of preserving the area’s history, despite the significant costs involved in restoration and preservation.
The city continues to investigate grants to support the protection of Ellis Lake Park following the completion of the renovation project.
