South Whidbey Island State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids South Whidbey State Park |
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A 500-year-old western red cedar in South Whidbey State Park
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 South Whidbey State Park
Location in Washington (state)
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| Location | Island, Washington, United States |
| Area | 381 acres (154 ha) |
| Elevation | 135 ft (41 m) |
| Established | 1963 |
| Operator | Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission |
| Website | South Whidbey State Park |
South Whidbey State Park is a fun outdoor place in Washington. It has 381 acres of old forests and beaches. You can find it on the west side of Whidbey Island. The park has about 4,500 feet of shoreline along Admiralty Inlet.
This park is special because it has many very old and large trees. You can see huge western red cedars, Douglas firs, Sitka spruces, and western hemlocks. Some of these trees are the biggest on Whidbey Island. One giant cedar tree is over 500 years old!
Contents
Park History
How the Park Grew
South Whidbey State Park started in 1974. Back then, it was about 87 acres of shoreline. This area was along Puget Sound.
In 1977, something important happened. Local people found out that the state planned to cut down trees on a nearby 267-acre piece of land. This land was called "Classic U." It had some of the last old-growth trees on the island. Old-growth trees are very old and large trees that have not been cut down.
Protecting the Trees
People wanted to save these ancient trees. They started a group called "Save the Trees." They went to court to try and stop the logging. Many people also stood in front of bulldozers. They did this to physically stop the machines from destroying the trees. This kind of action is when people peacefully protest by not moving.
After many years of talks and legal battles, 255 acres of the "Classic U" land were added to the state park. This happened because the state government decided it was important. In 1992, the land was officially bought and became part of South Whidbey State Park.
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More Land Added
In 2006, the park grew even more. An extra 7.3 acres were added. This new land was called the "Ryan addition." It was named after Al and Maureen Ryan. They were local people who worked hard to save the "Classic U" trees.
Money for this land came from different groups. The state Parks and Recreation Commission helped. The Island County Commission also helped. Many private people also donated money. A group called the Whidbey Camano Land Trust helped organize this effort.
Changes to Camping
In 2015, the park's campground and overnight areas closed. They closed because some large, old trees were becoming unsafe. These trees had "heart rot," which made them weak. This meant it was too dangerous for people to camp there.
What to Do at the Park
South Whidbey State Park offers many fun activities. You can have a picnic with your family and friends. There are 3.5 miles of trails for hiking. You can explore the beautiful forest and enjoy nature.
If you like water activities, you can go crabbing or clamming. Fishing and swimming are also popular. Walking along the beach and looking for interesting shells is fun too. The park is a great place for birdwatching and seeing other wildlife.
