The $8 million ballot measure marks the first time in Edgewood’s 12-year history that city officials have asked voters to approve a bond.

The park would include an artificial turf soccer field, a baseball diamond, two tennis courts, a playground and picnic area, and a mile-long trail.

It would occupy an 18-acre parcel at 36th Street East and Meridian Avenue, which the City of Edgewood bought from the Puyallup School District in 2004.

Finance director Janet Caviezel said the bond would cost taxpayers about $11.50 per month if they own a $350,000 home.

Edgewood Mayor Jeff Hogan said the new park would drastically expand the city’s recreation services.

“We don’t really have an active park per se right now,” Hogan said. “The community has been asking for something like this for a while.”

The city has two “passive” parks, Nelson Nature Park and Nelson Farm Park, whose main attractions are plants and vegetation.

The city’s only other park with an athletic field is Edgemont Park, which is only 5 acres and doesn’t have separate baseball and soccer fields.

Councilman Dave Olson said he thinks Edgewood has outgrown that park.

“I think for 10,000 people to have one baseball field where the outfield doubles as a soccer field is pretty small,” Olson said. “This would just give us more.”

Ballots must be postmarked by Aug. 19, the date of the Washington primary.

Edgewood has never asked the public to approve a bond since the city formed in 1996.

“We wanted to make sure everyone had a chance to say yes or no on it,” Hogan said.

Jana White, who serves on the board of the Edgewood Neighborhood Association, said her group has supported the park from the beginning.

“Our community needs parks,” White said. “I believe it is a small price to pay for the variety of services we’ll get. It will serve all ages.”

The city would repay the $8 million bond over a 20-year period.

Melissa Santos: 253-552-7058