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Meadowdale Beach Park
6026 156th SW
Edmonds, WA 98036
Park hours: 7:00 a.m. til dusk.
Shelter hours: 7:00 a.m. until 1 hour prior to dusk
Pedestrian Access Tunnel
(updated information: May 10, 2013)
Access to the salt water beach at Meadowdale Park through the tunnel serves both fish and humans alike. The tunnel does at times close temporarily due to the large amount of silt that has built up over the winter storms on the park side and silt on the other side of the tunnel brought in during high tides.
Video of Tunnel Cleanout
After the Cleanout
Video of Flooded Tunnel
Future maintenance actions will remove sediments that have accumulated within the tunnel. Timing of this work is dependent upon Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Snohomish County permits and is only allowed during a WDFW-approved fish window.
The original design of the tunnel with fish and humans sharing the same narrow passageway seemed to work for several years. However, development occurred upstream and subsequent erosion and additional sediment came downstream through Lund's Gulch seems to coincide with the time the park started experiencing problems with keeping the passageway clear for fish and humans alike.
Long-term, we believe a pedestrian overpass is the best solution but that will cost millions of dollars that we presently do not have in our budget.
We apologize for the lack of surety about access, but we are working to ensure public safety and to protect fish habitat. Thank you for your patience.
Park Description
Stroll through the park's corridor on a 1-1/4 mile long nature trail. Experience the sounds of the adjacent tumbling stream as it weaves its way through the giant trees of the old forest. The stream, which is home to various aquatic life, including fresh water fish and migrating salmon, forms a small marine estuary as it empties into Puget Sound.
View various bird species in their natural habitat on a hike through the forest. Or comb the beaches and enjoy the breathtaking views of the distant Olympic Mountains.
Meadowdale Beach Park is beautiful, but delicate, not impervious to humans and natural calamity. Its care and preservation are imperative to wildlife and the balance of people with nature is not possible without vigilance.
Park Features
- Bay Beach Access
- Picnic Tables
- Picnic Shelter Reservation
- Forest Trails
- Restrooms
- Disabled Parking
Park History
The gulch area passed through several owners before it became a park. John Lund first homesteaded the site in 1878. The site was eventually acquired by the Meadowdale Country Club. The well-tended private park featured a clubhouse, manicured lawns, an Olympic-size swimming pool with bath houses, and a fish hatchery. The club closed in the late 1960’s, partially due to access road failure.
Snohomish County Parks acquired the land in 1968 to develop a public park with beach access. A fire destroyed the already vandalized clubhouse in 1970. The county filled in the swimming pool because of the safety hazard.
In 1979, the park was closed for public access and use until a safe public and emergency vehicle access road was built. The park was reopened in 1988. The park was closed again in 1996 due to excessive storm damage and re-opened the following year after costly repairs.
Driving Directions
164th Street SW exit off I-5; follow 164th St SW west to 164th SW; turn right to cross Hwy 99; turn right onto 52nd Ave W; turn left onto 160th St; turn right onto 56th Ave W; turn left onto 156th Ave W. Park entrance is at the end of the road.
Disabled Access
A gated access road is available for disabled persons. To apply for access, please submit an application form (17kb pdf document).
If gate does not open upon entering PIN, please allow 90 seconds before making a second attempt.
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