History: The legacy of the Meadowdale Community Club and Preschool

The beginning

In the spring of 1945, residents of unincorporated Meadowdale, north of Edmonds, met to discuss how they could improve the welfare of their community. At the end of several meetings, they formed the Meadowdale Improvement Association. The organization’s first official meeting was held on May 1, 1945, and residents agreed on this mission statement:

“The objectives of the association are to promote and advance the general welfare and community interests of Meadowdale and its surrounding areas in Snohomish County.”

At the first meeting, 58 people representing various families in the community signed up to become members of the association. An initiation fee of $2.50 was agreed upon, and in the following weeks the association elected a board of directors and drew up a constitution and rules of procedure.

After the completion of the Association’s Articles of Association, Bylaws and Rules, two primary association objectives were established:

– to improve the opportunities for children in the community to participate in a wide range of recreational activities.

– create better roads for safe travel throughout the community.

In late 1945, an audience with the Snohomish County Road Commissioner was held at a Meadowdale home. The Road Commissioner assured the association members that the grading and paving of the roads leading into and out of Meadowdale was a certainty immediately after the war ended.

This promise was fulfilled and the roads in and around Meadowdale were significantly improved by 1950.

While the road improvements were being made, the association organized community cleanups and members worked together to remove brush on various properties and provide easier beach access along the east shore of Puget Sound. The goal was to create safer places for children to explore, learn and play. In addition, the association organized and promoted community gatherings during annual Fourth of July neighborhood picnics, community trick-or-treating events and holiday parties.

Donation of land and clubhouse built

On April 2, 1952, the Association received a gift of undeveloped land from Ruth B. Rushmore, about twice the size of a normal residential lot. The land was deeded to the Association for recreational use by the community without any mineral, oil and gas rights that may be associated with it.

The document states:

“It is expressly stated that the funding hereby granted is for the sole purpose of the beneficiary building, maintaining, operating and providing a country clubhouse and club grounds for its members and their guests.”

With the donation of the land, club members worked over the next two years to clear the land and build a two-story clubhouse, including a large dining/recreation room upstairs, a kitchen, restroom facilities, and additional meeting rooms downstairs.

As the Meadowdale Tattler (the local newsletter at the time) reported:

“On December 6th we were busy installing windows, door frames and shingles in the room. Ken, Mac, Art, Hank, Del, Stan, Grant and Norm helped us throughout the day.”

After the clubhouse was completed, it became the center for a wide range of activities, hosting everything from bridge parties to reunions, wedding receptions and numerous community events.

Annexation and sale of the property and clubhouse to the City of Edmonds

According to the club’s monthly meeting minutes, the organization’s and the clubhouse’s operations and services remained essentially the same over the next decade. Children grew up in the neighborhood, and more and more area families took advantage of the clubhouse and its activities.

In the late 1960s, Meadowdale residents living around or near the clubhouse voted to annex into the city of Edmonds, while rejecting similar offers from the cities of Mukilteo and Lynnwood.

Soon after incorporation, the City of Edmonds and other parties expressed interest in purchasing the property and clubhouse.

Author’s note: By this time, the original organization had changed its name and operating structure from a club to a corporation – the Meadowdale Community Club.

Financial offers were received from the Knights of Columbus, the Casey Club and the City of Edmonds. The City of Edmonds indicated that it was interested in purchasing the property for the development of a large recreation center for the community.

In the end, an agreement was reached to sell the land and clubhouse to the City of Edmonds, which was completed on September 30, 1971. The sale price was $10, along with other valuable consideration.

These considerations included:

– The City of Edmonds would pay off all existing debts including outstanding property taxes (approximately $2,500).

– The city guaranteed that it would continue to provide the necessary repairs and maintenance of the buildings and grounds through its parks management.

– The City agreed to allow the Meadowdale Country Club free access to the building on the third Tuesday of each month for its monthly meetings.

– The city also agreed to allow the country club to hold social gatherings in the clubhouse once a quarter at no charge, provided 30 days’ notice is given.

1972–1977

For the next six years, the clubhouse continued to serve the community and was operated under the auspices of the Edmonds Parks Department.

The clubhouse has been used as a recreation hall, a daycare center, and a social hall/event venue in conjunction with the Edmonds School District, and has been rented by various groups in the Edmonds area.

1978–1992

In late 1977, then-Edmonds Mayor Harve Harrison proposed that his 1978 budget include the sale of the Meadowdale Community Clubhouse for $60,000 to offset losses in gasoline and grocery tax revenues that voters had repealed on November 8.

Mayor Harrison’s proposal was rejected by the citizens of Edmonds and the clubhouse and property continued to be used in a similar manner for the next 14 years.

1993–2024

In addition to the use of the clubhouse, the Meadowdale Preschool program was established in 1993. Initially, the preschool served one class of 14 students in the morning. As demographics changed and needs in the Edmonds School District increased, the preschool expanded to two classes of 14 students each (28 total) open Monday through Thursday. The classes consisted of students from the local area and students with IEPs (Individual Educational Plans) who had been identified by the Edmonds School District and brought to Meadowdale Preschool.

The stated goal of the program was to “create a fun, caring, safe and positive learning environment for your child. Each day will be marked by patience and care for each child entrusted to us. Our goal is to ensure high quality and meaningful learning experiences through play, daily structure and creative activities.”

The preschool has been in existence for 30 years. For the last 15 years, the students have been taught by Michele Parker and for the last six years, they have been assisted by Jennifer Livesey.

The preschool not only offered educational activities in the classroom, but also field trips, such as to the coast to meet lifeguards.

Today – Let’s continue:

At the end of the 2024 school year, the City of Edmonds has discontinued the Meadowdale Preschool program due to budget shortfalls. The building and property remain the property of the City of Edmonds, which is obligated to maintain the property under its agreement with the Meadowdale Community Club.

It should be noted that the number of Meadowdale Community Club activities has decreased over the years as the demographics of the area have changed. There are fewer active members, but One thing should be recognized: As a continuous program, the members of the Community Club every yearear provides scholarships to graduates of the Edmonds School District to enable them to continue their education.

The property and clubhouse have served the Meadowdale/Edmonds community for 70 years. Its future is currently unclear.

According to the City of Edmonds, the clubhouse will continue to be used as a rental space for the public. The city will evaluate the space and its potential uses as part of the 2024 Citywide Comprehensive Plan update.

One final note: For the second year in a row, readers voted Meadowdale Preschool the best preschool in the 2024 Best of Edmonds contest. The final results of all categories can be found here.

Fortunately for the Edmonds area, preschool teachers Michele and Jennifer said they will look for more ways they can help improve the lives of young children.

This article was researched and written by Byron Wilkes. We thank John Quast for providing a wealth of information and records on the history of the property and clubhouse. We also thank Michele Parker and Jennifer Livesey for their insights and memories on the history and goals of Meadowdale Preschool.