Editor,

The South Whidbey Yacht Club, the South Whidbey Fishin’ Club, funded by the Island County Parks Department and supported by the Port of South Whidbey, recently completed an extensive Freeland Dock improvement project.

Freeland Park is a favorite public boat staging and launch area for many boaters, anglers and small boat sailors in the local area.

The county recently replaced all floats underneath the 200-foot dock along with 1,200 linear feet of decking.

However, the ramp side of the dock needed some improvements. The dock is exposed to winds that can cause considerable wave action, and many boats experience damage from bouncing and rubbing of the vessel against the dock’s sides.

Small boats can also get caught under the edges of the dock and sustain damage.

In order to reduce or eliminate damage to their boats, the South Whidbey Yacht Club and the Fishin’ Club embarked on a project in conjunction with Island County Parks and supported by the Port of South Whidbey to improve dock safety and to make the dock more attractive to tourists and boaters wanting to patronize Freeland’s parks, businesses and other services.

The Yacht Club designed a fix, materials were purchased by the Island County Parks Department, and on March 14 and March 31, the work parties executed the task of installing plywood skirting and a white rubber bumper strip along the upper edge of the dock to protect boats while tied up to the dock.

The work parties were well attended with 10-12 individuals participating, including members of both clubs. Sincere thanks go out to everyone who participated in the project.

A special thanks to the Club’s work parties, Port of South Whidbey’s Commissioner Ed Halloran, and to Island County employees Steve Marx and Jan van Muyden for their assistance and encouragement.

This proves once again that nonprofit organizations and government agencies, working together, can be a powerful force that can get things done.

Angi Mozer

Port of South Whidbey