After work last week, I met Jack for a walk on the Oak Harbor Waterfront Trail. There was a huge park remodel last year that was part of the construction of the new Waste Water Treatment Plant. Just mentioning the WWTP puts a lot of “hikers” off, and this park in downtown Oak Harbor, isn't exactly a pristine wilderness. But if you haven’t been, try it. The City of Oak Harbor has done an exceptional job to make this a park with something for every age, ability and interest. And I’m impressed by how the City has provided miles of free public access to the waterfront. On the west end of the Waterfront Trail is Freund Marsh where we started our walk at a pretty little park on Scenic Heights Road. Spend a few minutes here to see the colorful displays, a rain garden, pervious pavement and a circular patio with benches that creates an echo if you talk while standing in the middle. From here a wide, gravel trail winds through a natural area with interpretive panels, benches, and bridges which is a good place for bird watching, or just to take a quiet walk, jog or bike ride. The City created ponds and planted snags to enhance the wetland habitat. If you want to see wildlife, come early in the morning and bring your binoculars. This west end of the trail is easily accessible from the bus stop at Walmart with just a 2 block walk downhill toward SW Bayshore Drive. Buses are running at a full schedule again, with more frequency to allow proper distancing. Hand sanitizer and face coverings are offered onboard for your safety. All Island Transit buses are free, ADA accessible and have room for 2-3 bikes on the bike rack. From this park entrance you can walk about a mile east to Flintstone Park and catch another bus back to Walmart or beyond. See the new schedule at www.islandtransit.org If you’re a parent or grandparent, this trail is a great place to bring the kids. After a walk through Freund Marsh, continue eastward across Beeksma Drive to enter Windjammer Park (also known as City Beach). You can go play on the beach to build driftwood huts, sand castles or go wading. Or continue walking beyond the bridge by the swimming lagoon to find the shipwreck, rocks and logs to climb on, or visit Bailey’s playground. (Bring hand wipes.) Sno-Isle Library has a story trail with pages of a children’s book just a few yards apart. There are benches where you can sit to have a snack, or lure the kids on with promises of a trip to Popsie’s candy store once you leave the park. Just walk one block north of Flintstone Park to historic Pioneer Way and turn right. If you’ve never been to Popsie’s, it’s a real treat! If you’re not a kid but still young at heart, you could launch a paddle board or kayak from the boat launch at the end of Beeksma Drive. Or shoot hoops at the courts nearby (if it’s not too crowded). Acres of lawn and a wide paved path along the water offer room to roam where you can walk a dog, or go for a jog, throw a Frisbee or sit by the lagoon. The trail is paved through Windjammer Park and then turns to boardwalk for the last stretch before entering Flintstone Park with a dock, restrooms and picnic shelter. It’s right across SE Bayshore Drive from Harbor Station, Island Transit’s bus hub in Oak Harbor. You can continue walking on the sidewalk all the way to the marina, and if the Navy allows, out on Maylor's Point, another natural area on the south side of the bay. As the sun sank low, we finished our walk with a stroll up to Pioneer Way for dinner at a favorite restaurant. Georgia Gerber’s Stumbling Ducks greeted us on the sidewalk. Maribeth Directions by Bus: Take the Route 1 or 6 to Oak Harbor and get off at Walmart. Walk two blocks south, crossing Highway 20 at the light, and you'll see the park entrance at the bend in SW Bayshore Drive. OR take Route 1, 3, 411W, 6 or 14 to Harbor Station and cross the street to Flintstone Park.
Directions by car: Take highway 20 to Oak Harbor. You may park at the Scenic Heights trail head on Scenic Heights road between Swantown Road and Walmart. Or continue along the waterfront to park at the end of Beeksma Drive, City Beach Road or Flintstone Park or along SE Bayshore Drive. For a map, click here: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Windjammer+Park/@48.285487,-122.6572276,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x548f8a3ff8bfff89:0x97649ace067b226b!8m2!3d48.2854835!4d-122.6550389
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Maribeth Crandell has been a hiking guide in the Pacific NW for over 20 years. She's lived on Whidbey and Fidalgo Island for decades. As a frequent bus rider she easily makes connections between trails and transit. Archives by date
April 2024
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