Snohomish County Parks, Recreation and Tourism

The mission of the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department is to enhance community value through diverse opportunities, personal growth and healthy lifestyles by providing quality and affordable programs and services. The vision statement of the Department is to be the leaders in building a healthy community through memorable experiences; connecting people to recreation. The Priority Values of the Department include the following: Commitment: Fun: Diversity: Wellness: Integrity: Innovation: Teamwork:

Since 1912, Snohomish County has acquired some of the county’s most valuable open spaces and environmentally sensitive areas to ensure their protection and in 1988 expanded its preservation efforts with the Conservation Futures Program. Through these acquisitions, Parks and Recreation Department today manages thousands of acres of passive open space including and wildlife sanctuaries such as:

• Spencer Island
• Snohomish River Estuary
• Lord Hill
• West Lake Roesiger
• Bob Heirman Wildlife Refuge at Thomas’ Eddy
• Paradise Valley Conservation Area
• Narbeck Wildlife Sanctuary

Since that first acquisition the park system has grown to over 10,000 acres, 105 park properties, 47 miles of shoreline, over 30 miles of paved trails, and hundreds of miles of unpaved trails. Since 2004 over $67 million has been invested in the park system to acquire and develop new trails and parks for the citizens of Snohomish County.

About Parks and Recreation

The Department of Parks and Recreation, manages over 100 active public parks including:

• River Meadows
• Picnic Point
• Meadowdale
• Kayak Point
• Kayak Golf Course
• Centennial Trail
• Whitehorse Trail
• Wenberg
• Willis Tucker
• Martha Lake Airport