The South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District is looking at getting into the campgrounds business.
The commissioners and district staff discussed the possibility of purchasing 30 acres of land adjacent to Community Park for a campground at its regular monthly meeting Wednesday. The property is owned by the Dora Gabelein Trust, and details such as cost were discussed in executive session.
In a later interview, Director Doug Coutts said the district is still negotiating a purchase price. Coutts said he doesn’t know what the project will cost.
There isn’t a concrete determination for how Parks and Recreation plans to use the land, Coutts said, but the main idea would be to create a campground with a design and layout similar to the South Whidbey State Park.
“We’ve discussed the idea that a campground is a good idea,” Coutts said. “We haven’t looked at design, layout; we’ve discussed potential amenities, things that would be necessary and that would be needed for a campground. It’s not going to be your standard, asphalt RV park.”
Following the state’s decision this spring to close the campgrounds at South Whidbey State Park due to the presence of tree rot, the South End has been without one of its prominent places for overnight camping.
Advocates for an overnight campground say it has the potential to be a boost to South Whidbey’s economy. Campers would likely hit stores across the South End to supply their outdoor festivities, said Michaleen McGarry, executive director of the Langley Chamber of Commerce.
“It would definitely have potential for growth,” McGarry said. “In general, it’s actually something that’s very welcome. The outdoor adventure sector is just growing a lot.”
Even environmental warriors agree the area is in desperate need of a new campground.
“I see making camping available as a major piece of the economic picture,” said Marianne Edain, brushfire coordinator for the Whidbey Environmental Action Network. “There’s a screaming need for more campsites.”
According to Coutts, a soft plan is for 30 camping spots, which would be a split between tent and powered camping. Along with a campground, there would be trails throughout the area. As for the actual building and maintenance of the park, Coutts said, existing logging roads might be removed or reconditioned into paths — the idea is to keep it “natural” looking.
Edain said the considered site is near the headwaters of Maxwelton Creek, which she called the largest stream in Island County.
“It’s not even 10 miles, but it’s the biggest creek we have,” she said.
The high school and South Whidbey Parks and Recreation are parked right on top of the headwaters. It’s caused some problems in the past, she said, and any development of the area should be done with caution.
