On June 16, the Swinomish Tribe and Washington State Parks held a small ceremony to commemorate the momentous collaboration that allowed the island to be a part of everyone’s heritage now.
It took two years to find the funding to purchase the property. It took another year to develop a partnership between the tribe and the state of Washington for co-ownership, creating what is we believe to be the only piece of land in the entire United States co-owned and co-managed by two governments.
It took a little longer to develop a management plan for the area, and even longer to find the funding that allowed us to build the parking lot to allow visitors to have access to the island.
That is all behind us. What lies ahead is for us all to care for and enjoy this spectacular resource.
As Swinomish Chairman Brian Cladoosby shared, “A lot of people as time goes on will not realize, they will have no understanding about those original few who were at the table making sure this became a reality.
“That’s okay. It’s not about what they say about us or remember about us, it’s about what our kids, grandkids and the seventh generation are going to be able to witness, experience, and share right out here.”
I cannot express it better.
To explore the Preserve, go to the parking area on Snee-Oosh Road, a couple miles south of Highway 20. Leave your car or bicycle in the parking lot area, then walk westward on the trail across the causeway leading to Kiket Island. I like to take the main trail to the west end of the island, explore the beaches, then head back on either the south trail if I’m feeling lazy or the north trail for a more scenic and energetic walk.
Just remember that Flagstaff Point at the far west end is off limits to all as a wildlife preserve, and the beaches are for hiking only, no harvesting of any kind.
A park neighbor and friend shared the following review of his first hike through the Preserve. Please enjoy his blogspot, comments, and photos.
Jack Hartt is Park Manager at Deception Pass State Park.