It was 10:00 in the morning and already hot and miserable in the ferry line in Clinton. No more needs to be said to explain the long line of cars except it was Sunday in August on Whidbey Island. The line was backed up the hill to the Food Mart, a line that would only get worse as the sun climbed higher. This was one of the hottest days of the year, so many families with kids, or seniors, or dogs, were looking for shade or a cool breeze. Then, out of the corner of their eye, is it a mirage? An illusion? Or is it an oasis? A tiny little park next to the ferry toll booths. Clinton Beach Park, a jewel waiting to be discovered. Clinton Beach Park is owned and maintained by the Port of South Whidbey. There are colorful interpretive panels and picnic tables in the sun overlooking the water, but no one was there on this Sunday scorcher. More tables were available in the shade under a shelter with a Green Roof, designed to catch and filter storm water. But it hadn’t rained for weeks and the plants on the roof were fried to a crisp. No one was at that shelter either. There were a couple of ladies sitting in the shade of a building near the stunning family sculpture at the park entrance. On the far side of the park was a sand pile loaded with Tonka toys. Two people, one small, one tall, were just leaving the construction site as I approached. They were heading for the real attraction, walking down a blue mat toward the beach at low tide. Island Beach Access, a local non-profit group, clears the driftwood and lays down a blue mat every summer to allow access for toddlers, baby strollers, people using walkers, wheelchairs, crutches and other mobility devices. I know a young mother that relies on a motorized scooter to get around. She loves this park and brings her small children here to play on the beach. There are two van accessible disabled parking spaces. The picnic shelter and restrooms are easily accessible, too. This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the signing of the American with Disabilities Act. Celebrate inclusivity! Last Sunday this was a very popular park for families with kids. They rushed toward the cool water and damp sand, a sharp contrast from the infernal heat in the car. The ferry at the dock behind them loomed large as it paused between trips to Mukilteo. Hundreds of cars waited in the hot sun, windows down, stereos sounding, idly stroking their smart phones, while the thermometer climbed into the 90s. But these few families scattered along the beach, ran, romped, scampered, splashed, squatted, dug, danced, dangled, dripped, dashed, climbed, clamored, clung, cried and called like the gulls, enjoying this beautiful beach on a sun splashed day at the end of the weekend, at the end of the summer, at the south end of Whidbey Island. For more information about this hidden jewel and its special features visit: http://portofsouthwhidbey.com/facilities/clinton-beach-park/ As with most parks this summer, there's been a huge increase in visitation, so please bring your own TP and hand sanitizer and take your trash with you. The ferries are still running on their winter schedule so expect long delays. Maribeth Directions: Take Highway 525 south to the ferry dock in Clinton but instead of going onto the dock, turn left at the light into the park.
By Bus: This park is accessible by Island Transit Bus on the Route 1 or Route 60 Monday-Saturday or on Route 58 Monday-Friday. All buses can take 2 wheelchairs or mobility devices. For a schedule visit: www.islandtransit.org
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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
March 2024
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