Beach fun returns with Jetty Island Days
Published 3:36 pm Thursday, July 3, 2008
Playing in warm water, watching wildlife, building sand castles … The 23rd year of Everett’s Jetty Island Days opens this weekend, and the city’s parks and recreation staff welcomes newcomers and longtime Jetty fans alike to the activities on the 2-mile-long manmade island.
“We offer daily nature walks that include the natural history, plants, animals, mudflats and some with a special focus on wildflowers, birds or our unique lagoon,” park ranger and chief naturalist Kraig Hansen said. “Other programs are specific to a topic, like sharks, whales, plankton, fish, tracks or insects. We also host special programs like Kite Day (Sunday, this year), Senior Day, arts and crafts, campfire programs, harbor cruise and more.”
The program accommodates between 28,000 and 30,000 visitors each summer, Hansen said, an average of about 800 per day.
He also offered some tips for prospective visitors:
There are no concessions, power or running water on Jetty Island, so bring all the necessary summer-day supplies, such as sunscreen, water bottles and snacks. Sunscreen is especially important, as the island offers very little shelter and shade. Lack of shelter also forces the ferry runs to be canceled on rainy days, he said.
Alcohol and pets are not allowed.
Be patient while waiting for tickets, as lines can be long, especially on nice days. Later ferry runs tend to see smaller crowds, he said. The maximum capacity is 80 people per trip.
The ferry leaves the mainland at the top of each hour, and again at half-past each hour, and leaves the island at 15 and 45 minutes past each hour, so bring a watch.
Check a tide chart to determine when you would want to go — whether during a low tide, providing more beach, or a high tide, making the water more accessible.
While the program is free, donations are appreciated, Hansen said. People who wish to donate have three options:
Mail the donation to Everett Parks and Recreation, 802 E. Mukilteo Blvd., Everett, WA 98203.
Visit the Forest Park recreation office in person (same address as above).
Leave them in the donation boxes on the island or at the Jetty kiosk.
Donations help to offset various costs of running the program, Hansen said, and last year’s donations allowed the staff to offer later Friday and Saturday night runs, and made it possible to run the ferry six days per week, as is the case again this year, instead of five days per week.
