Snohomish County closes Southwest County Park, reroutes trails at Paradise Valley

Residents of Snohomish County are facing immediate changes to their local green spaces as two parks close or restrict access due to dangerous trees. Snohomish County Parks & Recreation announced the measures on October 28 to protect visitors from falling limbs and trunks. The closures stem from forest health surveys that identified widespread decay in specific species at both locations.

The decision follows recent assessments of the parks' ecological status. At Paradise Valley Conservation Area near Woodinville, surveys found hundreds of Douglas-fir trees suffering from advanced laminated root rot. This fungal disease weakens tree roots, leading to structural failure. At Southwest County Park in Edmonds, the problem is different but equally urgent. Most of the red alders, planted approximately 75 years ago, have reached the end of their natural lifespan. These trees are now at high risk of falling, creating hazards throughout the 120-acre site.

The timeline for the changes is immediate. Paradise Valley Conservation Area closed completely to the public on October 29 while crews constructed a trail reroute. The new path opened on October 30, allowing access to the unaffected parts of the 793-acre park. The closure covers the Cascara Trail, Whispering Firs, Mainline Trail, Lloyd Loop, and the Lloyd family barn and its associated outbuildings. This section represents a 64-acre portion of the park affected by the disease.

Southwest County Park remains fully closed until further notice. Because the hazardous alders are spread across the entire park, there is no safe alternative route for visitors. The county is developing a forest mitigation plan but has not set a specific date for reopening. Officials must either remove the dying trees or monitor the site until the alders naturally fall before the park can welcome visitors again.

Sharon Walker, Snohomish County Parks Director, stated that visitor safety is the top priority. “We understand these are beloved parks by the community, but the safety of our visitors is our top priority,” Walker said. She added that the approach aims to work toward healthier, more diverse, and resilient forests for future generations.

For Paradise Valley Conservation Area, the county is preparing a forest health action plan. The goal is to reduce the number of dead and dying Douglas-firs and plant species like hemlock and redcedar that resist laminated root rot. Tree removal is tentatively scheduled for fall 2027. If funding, permitting, and planning go as expected, the affected area could reopen after replanting in late winter 2028.

The county continues to use the recent survey data to identify forest health challenges. Officials are determining responses that balance public safety with long-term environmental stewardship. Details about the closures and future plans are available on the county's Forest Health webpage.