The Whidbey Camano Land Trust has announced they need to raise $314,450 by Sept. 30 to be able to purchase 420 feet of low-bank beach and forested uplands at Glendale on southeast Whidbey.
The beach is at the mouth of Glendale Creek, one of only two salmon streams on Whidbey, according to a Land Trust press release.
Three adjacent properties came on the market simultaneously, giving the Land Trust a unique opportunity to acquire and protect a rare stretch of accessible Whidbey beach.
The Land Trust plans to own and manage the properties and Island County will acquire a conservation easement that removes all development rights and ensures permanent public beach access. This same ownership model has succeeded with the 654-acre Trillium Community Forest located just north of Freeland.
Despite public outcry for more beach and trail access, the county can’t afford to acquire new park areas due to budget constraints.
Island County has applied for two state grants to purchase the conservation easement. If awarded, the state grants will cover all but $500,000 of the project’s $1.5 million total cost. Only $314,450 is left to be raised by the end of September which is just 21 percent of the total project cost, according to the Land Trust.
The Land Trust plans to open the Glendale beach access next summer after the state grants are awarded, the site is made safe, and parking and other facilities are established. At that time, the beach will be available to the public for swimming, fishing, kayaking, beachcombing, or simply enjoying spectacular views across Possession Sound.
One of the grants used to purchase the area stipulates non-motorized use only, which means an existing boat launch will be removed.
The Land Trust said they will also work with the Washington Department of Natural Resources to carry out shoreline restoration work, including removal of an existing pier and dozens of old creosote-treated pilings that are leaching toxins onto the beach and into Puget Sound.
To donate to the Glendale project, please visit www.wclt.org or call 360-222-3310.
