Flowing Lake Park gets picnic shelter made of reclaimed wood from November’s windstorm

SNOHOMISH —  Setting up shop on the Evergreen State Fairgrounds, the Timber Framers Guild has returned to Snohomish County to replace the picnic shelter at Flowing Lake Park. 

The structure for the park is an octagonal, open-sided pavilion to replace the current one that has fallen into poor repair. The wood that the guild has been framing was salvaged from the trees that had fallen during the bomb cyclone in November of last year. 

The structure was completed and three days later it was raised at the park located northeast of Snohomish.

In the language of timber framers, the wood is rough sawn, which means the wood hasn’t been smoothed so it is irregular. According to project manager, Jim DeSantis, “storm damage is perfect for a situation like this and we got some really nice logs to work with.”

Rose Intveld, a county spokeswoman, has worked closely with the guild and has learned more about the craft of timber framing as a result.  “We are very lucky as Snohomish County because we have had multiple projects and partners with these guys in the past,” Intveld said. “I kind of feel that that’s kind of rare.” 

The guild has worked with Snohomish County on multiple builds before this, most notably with the county’s 

Oso Slide Memorial in 2023.

Even though the project only lasted for eight days, with the barns on the fairgrounds as accommodations, it is an opportunity for individuals to form friendships, to learn more about the craft. For some, this is their first project with the guild. For others, it can range from their fourth or tenth. 

Within the guild, framers can come from anywhere, but there are always a few that are local residents.

This wasn’t the first time Steve Lawrence, the project’s program director, had traveled from his home on Vancouver Island to work in a community building. Lawrence recalled his first community build in 1997: “It was so much fun, and I learned so much. It got me hooked on the guild and I’ve been a member ever since.”

The Flowing Lake Park is Seattle resident Joe Olbrych’s first community build, learning about the project through his work with the Washington State Trails Association. “The community is amazing. There are people here who have decades of experience. What I’ve noticed is that everyone, regardless of experience, is learning,” Olbrych said.

This was Seattleite Elaina Jorgensen’s fourth community build. She is a ‘big fan’ of the craft, appreciating the opportunity to learn a traditional skill. Aside from the education, Jorgensen loves the community that she gets to work with. 

“It’s good to be surrounded by lovely wonderful supportive people,” Jorgensen said.

“The volunteers and instructors are motivated to do this by the concept of education,” Lawrence said. “We are looking to build buildings that will be for community use and a benefit to the community.”