Anacortes WA has many parks ranging from 220 acres to 0.3 acres. There is something for everyone; camping, beachcombing, hiking, bird watching, star gazing, walking, or just playing outdoors. The territorial and water views are incredible from some of the parks.
Dogs are welcome in all of the parks but must be on a leash at all times. There is also a dedicated dog park in town!
Alice Parchman Newland Park – R Avenue between 32nd and 22nd Streets
This 10-acre linear park and street median has been developed from Highway 20 along the R Avenue access road into Anacortes. The north end of the median widens to accommodate the Ben Root Skate Park. Includes views of Fidalgo Bay.
Anacortes Community Forest Lands – 29th St., A Ave., Heart Lake Rd., Whistle Lake Rd., others Owned by the City of Anacortes, the Anacortes Community Forest Lands (ACFL) consist of 2,800 acres, in several large tracts. The land is within the city limits, much of it former watershed. It includes forested hills, lakes, streams, wetlands, and meadows. Fifty miles of multiple-use trails provide public access, with nine loop trails designated, variously, for horses, motorcycles, bikes, and hikers. Varied terrain and territorial views. Trail maps available at city hall. Dogs must be leashed at all times.
Ben Root Skate Park – At 23rd Street and R Avenue
Amenities at this first-class, 7,500-square-foot concrete skateboard park include seating, lights, a drinking fountain, and a nearby restroom. Located within the Alice Parchman Newland Park, the Skate Park offers a view of Fidalgo Bay and is adjacent to the Tommy Thompson Parkway.
Cap Sante Park – Along W Avenue from 4th Street
A winding, forested road leads to a rocky promontory with spectacular vistas of the city and nearby islands to the west and March’s Point, Mt. Baker, and the Cascade Mountains to the east. A remnant of an amphitheater is located on the east bank of the 37-acre park.
Causland Memorial Park – 710 N Avenue, 8th Street between M and N Avenues
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the two-acre, terraced park was built in the 1920s to commemorate local servicemen who lost their lives in World War I. The park was designed by French architect John LePage and reflects the influence of Spanish architect Antonio Gaudi. Serpentine walls, an amphitheater, and a bandstand are a mosaic of thousands of pieces of native rock in a rainbow of colors. Picnic tables are located throughout this beautifully landscaped city block.
Clearridge Park – 1900 block of Blakely Place
A .8-acre recreational area close to the Anacortes Airport, the partially developed Clearridge Park includes two tennis courts and a basketball court.
Cranberry Lake Area – Georgia Avenue to Cranberry Road
Located in the heart of Anacortes residential neighborhoods, the undeveloped and heavily forested Cranberry Lake Park surrounds 27-acre Cranberry Lake and several other small lakes and bogs. Over terrain that varies from flat to steep slopes, an extensive trail system provides access to beaver dams, wetland flora and fauna, and adjacent 451 acres of city Forest Land.
Heart Lake Park – Heart Lake Road
Adjacent to the Anacortes Forest Lands, Heart Lake Park consists of a hiking trail system around a picturesque lake in an undeveloped forest setting.
John and Doris Tursi Park – Pennsylvania and West 12th streets
The city’s newest park, the John and Doris Tursi Park honors a long-time city resident and generous donor to the Anacortes Community Forest Lands and other city projects. It offers play equipment, a half basketball court, zip line, shelter, and educational wetlands.
Keith Shugarts Playground – Anacortes Public Library, 9th Street and N Avenue
Adjoining the new Anacortes Public Library, the .5-acre Keith Shugarts Playground includes a multi-faceted play structure and picnic tables.
Kiwanis Waterfront Park – 1708 6th Street, between H and I Avenues
Two acres of developed parkland are located on Anacortes’s north shoreline, adjacent to the Guemes Ferry Terminal. Picnic tables, benches, pathways, an overlook, beach access, and parking afford views of Guemes Channel, Guemes Island, and boat and ferry traffic.
Mt. Erie City/School Playground – 41st Street and N Avenue
Located on the school grounds of Mt. Erie Elementary School, this children’s playground was a joint development of the Anacortes School District and the City of Anacortes.
Mt. Erie Park – South of Anacortes off Heart Lake Road
Located up a steep, winding road at the summit of Fidalgo Island’s highest point, Mt. Erie, this 160-acre park is part of the city’s original watershed and is surrounded by some 1,500 acres of protected Community Forest Lands. A road to the top and several small parking areas and lookouts offer breathtaking vistas of the surrounding ocean, islands, and mountains.
N Avenue Park – 2nd Street and N Avenue
Located on Guemes Channel, N Avenue Park is .4 acre of undeveloped street-end parkland. A rocky beach offers views of Guemes Channel.
Off-leash Dog Park – 9TH & Q Avenue (temporary location)
This fully enclosed temporary site for off-leash dogs provides dog waste disposal bags plus portable restrooms for dog owners. Users are encouraged to refill gallon water jugs as no water is available on site. Dogs must have current vaccinations and a license. A permanent dog park is under development at Ace of Hearts Creek Rotary Park, 38th Street, and H Avenue. When complete, the site will contain a multi-use playfield, play area, and 1.5-acre dog park with a watering station, wash-off hose, a gazebo, and benches. The project is a joint effort among the City of Anacortes, the Fidalgo Islanders for Dogs Off-leash (FIDO), and Anacortes Noon Rotary.
Roadside Park – Jackson Avenue and Oakes Avenue
Roadside Park is a .3-acre, street-end park with views of Guemes Channel. Picnic tables.
Rotary Park – 6th Street & T Avenue, below Cap Sante Park
Located along the east side of Cap Sante Marina, the 1.5-acre linear park includes a paved trail leading to a pavilion/shelter and beach access on Fidalgo Bay. Facilities include a picnic area and parking.
Seafarer’s Memorial Park – 14th Street and Seafarer’s Way
The site of the Seaman Memorial on the south end of Cap Sante Boat Haven, the park, owned by the Port of Anacortes, includes parking, picnic tables, a community building, and a promenade overlooking the marina with beach access and a beautiful view of Fidalgo Bay. The site will be closed for two years, beginning in the spring of 2009 as part of environmental cleanup and restoration of Fidalgo Bay.
Storvik Park – 1110 32nd Street, between 29th & 32nd Streets
This well-designed 8.7-acre park contains a lighted multi-use little league/women’s softball/youth soccer field, two basketball courts, restrooms, an imaginative community-built children’s playground, basketball court, picnic and barbecue area, and parking.
Tommy Thompson Parkway – Trailheads at 22nd Street and R Avenue, Fidalgo Bay R.V. Park, and 30th & U Ave.
A 3.3-mile level, paved trail for pedestrians and bicyclists extends from 11th Street across a former train trestle to March’s Point. Mileage breakdown: 11th St. to 22nd St., 0.6 miles; 22nd St. to 34th St. 0.7 miles; 34th St. to RV Park, 1.0 miles; RV Park to the trestle, 0.6 miles; across railroad trestle, 0.4 miles. Views of Fidalgo Bay and Mt. Baker to the north and Fidalgo Bay to the south.
Volunteer Park – 1915 13th Street, near 14th and H Streets
This 24-acre sports field complex is currently under development adjacent to a 45-acre wetland as a joint project between the city and the Anacortes School District. A baseball field, softball field, little league field, and soccer field have been completed. A football/soccer stadium, 400-meter surfaced track, and associated amenities will ultimately complete the project.
Washington Park – West end of Anacortes
This spectacular, multi-use, 220-acre park is located at the end of Oakes Avenue, on the west end of the city and projecting into Rosario Strait. A wide variety of facilities serve both locals and visitors. Day use includes a boat launch, picnic shelter, restrooms, children’s playground, open play area, plus a trails system and 2.3-mile, 10mph Loop Road. An overnight camping area includes 75 campsites, restrooms, shower, and laundry facilities. Only some 41 of the park’s 220 acres are developed; the paved Loop Road provides access and extensive view opportunities.