Lyla Goody, 8, in town from Idaho visiting her aunt, collects seashells with her brother Dax, 12, and father Grey, during the reopening of Kayak Point Regional County Park on Friday, June 14, 2024, near Stanwood, Washington. The Goody kids have never seen seashells in the wild before and were excited to get up close and take a look at the shells that have collected on the shore during Kayak Point’s nearly year-long closure. The park opened earlier than anticipated this year, but the pier and the new playground remain closed to the public as renovations continue. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Lyla Goody, 8, in town from Idaho visiting her aunt, collects seashells with her brother Dax, 12, and father Grey, during the reopening of Kayak Point Regional County Park on Friday, June 14, 2024, near Stanwood, Washington. The Goody kids have never seen seashells in the wild before and were excited to get up close and take a look at the shells that have collected on the shore during Kayak Point’s nearly year-long closure. The park opened earlier than anticipated this year, but the pier and the new playground remain closed to the public as renovations continue. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Photography

Kayak Point reopens ahead of schedule

The county’s most popular park reopened Friday.

STANWOOD — Kayak Point Regional Park reopened ahead of schedule Friday.

County staff closed the most popular park in Snohomish County’s system for construction in July 2023.

An earlier prediction suggested the park would open July 1.

Kayak Point welcomes 180,000 visitors each year, with crabbing, fishing, hiking, camping, beachside fire pits and picnic shelters.

In the next phase of construction, workers will remove more of a sea wall, move picnic shelters from the beach, build another berm and plant native vegetation along the shore.

County staff expect phase two to temporarily close the park again Oct. 15, assuming the project receives a federal grant.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

Gallery
Children fish in the water and climb near the renovated boat launch at Kayak Point Regional County Park on Friday, June 14, 2024, near Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Park Ranger assistant Aidan Link does his best to remove debris from the top of the restroom at Kayak Point Regional County Park on Friday, June 14, 2024, near Stanwood, Washington. Link said park staff are still working to tidy up the park as they prepare for the busy season. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Two visitors comb the beach at Kayak Point Regional County Park on Friday, June 14, 2024, near Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The new playground at Kayak Point Regional County Park is still fenced off for the time being on Friday, June 14, 2024, near Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Children fish in the water and climb near the renovated boat launch at Kayak Point Regional County Park on Friday, June 14, 2024, near Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Park Ranger assistant Aidan Link does his best to remove debris from the top of the restroom at Kayak Point Regional County Park on Friday, June 14, 2024, near Stanwood, Washington. Link said park staff are still working to tidy up the park as they prepare for the busy season. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Two visitors comb the beach at Kayak Point Regional County Park on Friday, June 14, 2024, near Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

The new playground at Kayak Point Regional County Park is still fenced off for the time being on Friday, June 14, 2024, near Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

More in Local News

Refugee and Immigrant Services Northwest Senior Associate ESL Instructor James Wilcox, right, works on speaking and writing with Anfal Zaroug, 32, who is accompanied by her daughter Celia Hassen, 6 months, on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
What will Trump’s immigration policy mean for Snohomish County?

The president-elect has vowed to ramp up deportations and limit legal immigration.

Water cascades down the Lower Falls near the Woody Trail at Wallace Falls State Park near Gold Bar on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015. A nearly six mile round-trip to the park's Upper Falls offers hikers an array of vistas on a well maintained trail.
Wallace Falls closed due to bomb cyclone damage

Over 170 trees fell in last month’s storm. The park near Gold Bar is closed until further notice.

Neepaporn “A” Boungjaktha (Snohomish County)
Snohomish County executive director takes new gig with Port of Seattle

Neepaporn “A” Boungjaktha joined the county in 2022. Her last day will be Jan. 2.

People walk into the Everett Library off of Hoyt Avenue on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How will new Everett library hours affect its programs?

This month, the two branches scaled back their hours in light of budget cuts stemming from a city deficit.

The Evergreen Branch of the Everett Public Library is open and ready for blast off. Dillon Works, of Mukilteo, designed this eye-catching sculpture that greets people along Evergreen Way. (Dan Bates / The Herald)
Snohomish County awards money to improve warming, cooling centers

The money for HVAC improvements will allow facilities to better serve as temporary shelters for weather-related events.

Marysville
Marysville to hold post-holiday ‘tree-cycling’ event

You can dispose of your tree and holiday packaging Jan. 4.

The City of Edmonds police, court and council chambers complex on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds considers disbanding police department amid budget woes

The city is having “exploratory” meetings with the Snohomish and King County sheriff’s offices.

Interim Marysville School District Superintendent David Burgess speaks at a presentation regarding potential school closures Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, at Marysville Pilchuck High School. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Marysville school board talks pros and cons of closure options

The board hopes to decide on which schools to close by the end of the month.

Lynnwood
Man injured in drive-by shooting near Lynnwood

As of 10:20 a.m. Tuesday, authorities had no known suspects in the shooting on 156th Street SW.

The northbound Swift Blue Line stop on Pacific is photographed Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Community Transit approves budget with more service

The more than $450 million combined budget adds 116,000 service hours and earmarks money for zero-emission buses.

Lake Serene in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. (U.S. Forest Service)
Hiker survives 100-foot fall into Lake Serene near Index

The hiker was airlifted after plummeting into the lake Sunday night, officials said.

Outside of the Boeing modification center on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing lays off 396 more workers in Washington

The aerospace giant laid off over 2,000 workers in Washington last month.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.