Island County updates parks resources to boost access and planning

Island County’s Parks & Trails program provides a centralized set of resources for residents and visitors looking to use or influence local parks. The county manages 54 parks on Whidbey and Camano islands and offers an online Park Finder Web Map, an index of the 10 most popular parks with trail maps for many sites, and interactive map layers that show park locations, trails, facilities, topography and aerial photos.

The county page also highlights the ongoing update to Element 7 of the Parks & Recreation Plan. That planning work includes survey results, open house information, presentation materials and videos from public meetings, and emphasizes community feedback as essential to decisions about parks, habitat conservation, trails and recreation services. Because the material is maintained by Island County Public Works, it is an authoritative place to find rules, meeting materials and official contacts.

Practical details that affect daily use are clearly stated: county parks are generally day use only, open dawn to dusk unless otherwise posted. The webpage includes contact information for the Parks Superintendent and the Public Works office for questions, event rentals and special arrangements. Visit the Island County Parks & Trails page to view maps, park hours and planning materials, and to contact staff about reservations or accessibility needs.

The consolidation of maps and outreach documents matters for public health and equity. Ready access to safe outdoor spaces supports physical activity, mental well being and social connection for people across the islands. At the same time, planning choices determine who benefits from investments in trails, parking, restrooms and signage. The plan update is an opportunity to address barriers that limit use for older adults, people with disabilities, families without transportation and low income residents who may face cost or access hurdles.

Environmental stewardship is intertwined with recreation planning. Balancing habitat conservation with visitor access is a recurring theme in the county’s materials, and community input will shape how trails and facilities are sited and maintained to protect sensitive areas while supporting outdoor use.

Island County’s online parks resources serve as both a guide for immediate recreation needs and a gateway for residents to influence long term decisions. Participating in surveys and attending open houses can directly affect where investments go and how parks support a healthy, equitable community across the islands.