Hank and Betty Graafstra owned and operated the Country Charm Dairy in Arlington for nearly 40 years. At its height the dairy was home to 800 Holstein cattle and the Graafstras operated their own bottling plant, employing 35 people.

But the dairy operation, located at the end of Gilman Road, closed a few years ago and the Graafstras, now in their 80s, have agreed to sell the City of Arlington approximately 150 acres of lowland property that borders the Stillaguamish River.

Bill Blake, the city's Community Resources Manager, knows the area well. As a youngster, Blake spent many summer afternoons along the banks of the river, often cutting through the dairy farm to get to his favorite sand bar.

"Just in my lifetime, we've seen other places like this lost," said Blake, "but this land will be preserved for future generations."

The Arlington City Council voted to approve the $4 million purchase at its February 1 meeting. $274,000 of the required $800,000 down payment will come from a state Salmon Recovery Funding Board grant. The Graafstra family will carry the note for the balance of the purchase price.

The city is in no hurry to develop the acreage, now known as the Country Charm Conservation Area. Its use will be phased in over time, with much of the improvements made with the help of volunteer workers and the donations of materials.

Eventually, much of the open area will be devoted to athletic fields, but the river's natural rhythms are expected to be undisturbed.

"We'll let it flood in the winter," said Blake. "There won't be any permanent structures that can be damaged by water, and sanitation facilities will be designed to be sealed off during the winter, so there's no river contamination."

A few acres will be designated for rustic tent camping along the river, and an off-leash dog park is planned for an area closest to the existing road. A safe swimming area has been identified, along with areas for a community garden and eventual parking.

"There's a trail into the area from the road above, and our first project will be to make that safe for walking," Blake explained. "It won't be driveable for awhile, but eventually that access will be resurfaced for car traffic too."

Blake and his planning team at the city have been working on the Country Charm project for more than 5 years, and he is excited to see the plan taking off.

The acreage has been in the city's Urban Growth Area since 1995, and will likely be annexed into the city limits in the near future.

"Our agreement with the family means this jewel will be reserved as open space instead of becoming residential," said Blake. "This is a great gift for the citizens of Arlington."

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