History may soon become the future at Tracey Owen Station at Log Boom Park, commonly referred to as Log Boom Park.

The Kenmore Heritage Society on Monday presented plans to the Kenmore City Council for installing interpretive signs that would chronicle the town’s past, from the Ice Age to incorporation.

“I think it will be a good project that provides some interesting information for the public,” said Kenmore Parks Planner Bill Evans.

Completion of the project has been one of the society’s primary focuses since forming in 1998, when the club set about with three goals: create a history book, establish a museum and develop an interpretive center.

The group accomplished its first mission in 2003 by releasing “Kenmore by the Lake,” a historical account of the city that dated back to its founder, John McMaster, a Kenmore, Ontario, native who established a saw mill on the north shore of Lake Washington in 1901.

The publication won state and national commendations, recognizing the work of the more than 30 people who worked on it.

More than 1,500 copies of the book have sold, with more still available at Ostrom’s Drugs, Kenmore City Hall and Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park.

Plans for a museum never came to fruition because the Heritage Society didn’t have enough artifacts to fill such a facility.

The group eventually turned its attention to the interpretive center, choosing Log Boom Park as the preferred site because of its proximity to Lake Washington and the fact that the area is frequented by local families and users of the Burke-Gilman Trail.

“We see this as a sort of outdoor museum,” said Kenmore Heritage Society member Tom Traeger.

Initial plans called for a gazebo with 10 interpretive signs, but the club decided that placing the panels along a pathway would be more conducive to viewing, and also make the installation process easier.

The existing proposal places signs in clusters along the curved walkway leading from the Log Boom parking lot to the pier.

“We’re very happy with this concept,” Traeger said. “It sounds better, it’s more open and it’s more welcoming.”

The completed project would be known as the Kenmore History Path at Tracey Owen Park at Log Boom Park.

Each of the panels will be made of high-pressure laminate to protect them against the elements, and duplicates would be made in case of vandalism. They’ll cover topics such as Native American life, logging, roadhouses, recreation and festivals.

“We think people are going to appreciate how things developed here as they walk that park,” said Kenmore Heritage Society member Jack Crawford, the city’s first mayor. “The community has been here for over 100 years.”

Costs for the history path are estimated at $50,000.

The city is expected to provide $15,000 and oversee installation and maintenance of the panels.

Remaining funds will come from a $7,500 grant from 4Culture and sales from “Kenmore by the Lake.”

The Kenmore Heritage Society plans to raise another $7,500 through its Pathfinder program, which allows businesses and individuals to have their names listed at the walkway entrance for $1,000 apiece.

Leftover money would become seed money for placing an interpretive sign at Rhododendron Park.

Contact Crawford at (425) 486-0861 by July 12 to sponsor the Kenmore History Path and become a Pathfinder.

Contact Kenmore Reporter Reporter Joshua Hicks at jhicks@bothell-reporter.com or 425-483-3732.

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