POULSBO — The peaceful sound of water running gently over logs and rocks provides a tranquil setting, even though city traffic buzzes less than 100 feet away.

That natural flow accompanied by the melodious chorus of birds singing on a cool, crisp September morning are what the majority of the those who attended Saturday’s open house for the Morris Park master plan hope to preserve.

“I want to keep it in its natural state as much as possible, and not have a lot of playground equipment to draw a lot of people in,” Poulsbo Garden Club president Mary Carter said of the of the 2.75 acres of city-owned property at the corner of 7th Avenue and Iverson Street.

Before the city purchased the land as a possible municipal campus site in 2001, the Morris Nursery helped maintain the natural surroundings and protect Dogfish Creek, which dissects the property, Carter said.

Carter was one of more than two dozen people, including all seven Poulsbo City Council members, who listened to representatives from Larson Casteel of Kingston explain a few of the possibilities for the city’s newest park.

In the company’s initial assessment of the property, more than 50 species of plants were identified in addition to several types of wildlife that inhabit the property, said Laurie Larson of Larson Casteel.

“Quail have been spotted in the park, and other species have been as well,” Larson said.

The firm plans to have at least one meeting each month to gather public input and provide information about the progress of the master planning for the property, Larson said.

“When I first came in here that was the thing that caught me,” Councilman Jim Henry said of the peaceful sound of Dogfish Creek running toward Poulsbo Village.

Even though urban development envelops the site, the property itself remains unblemished and is as natural as a park setting can be in the city, Henry said.

“It’s a real jewel. It’s so peaceful,” Henry said.

Washington State Extension Service Horticulture Coordinator Peg Tillery said she, too, has fond memories of what the property was more than 20 years ago.

“It was an oasis. I used to come down here and hang out at the Morris Nursery,” Tillery said.

Knowing that the city has plans for the property should generate a sense of excitement throughout the community because of the potential it holds, Tillery said.

However, amid all the possibilities for the property, Councilman Dale Rudolph said everyone involved should keep in mind the costs associated with those plans.

“I think we should sell Mitchusson Park and invest in this park,” Rudolph said, referring to the undeveloped 9.5-acre parcel at the end of 2nd Avenue — named after former Mayor Mitch Mitchusson. The property is adjacent to Betty Iverson Kiwanis Park.

There is also the potential to expand Morris Park east to where the city’s public works building is currently located, but that would require finding enough money to purchase the property, Rudolph said. The property was purchased with public works funds and — as a result — cannot be given away.

The next community meeting about the project will be at the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting at 7 p.m. Oct. 23 in the Poulsbo City Council Chambers on Jensen Way.