Project Updates | Community input redesigns proposed Odlin County Park project

Two community meetings and a small working group provided new ideas to adjust the design of the maintenance facility and public contact station to better address community concerns

||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||

The San Juan County Parks, Recreation, & Fair Department is seeking to construct a new facility to serve as a visitor contact station, maintenance facility, and office for park rangers on Lopez Island at Odlin County Park. Feedback from a series of public meetings was used to redesign the project to better address community concerns regarding tree loss (particularly the old growth trees) and tree root health, a desire to re-site the building around existing impacted areas or near the boat launch parking, and concerns about the impact on existing trailheads.

With these concerns in mind, County staff worked with the public, the Parks and Recreation Commission, and architects to update the design, resulting in:

• Re-siting the building closer to the road which allowed for the removal of approximately 36% less trees – including two old growth trees
• Moving septic tanks to preserve tree root health
• Significantly shrinking the building site and reducing the amount of impervious surface
• Lowering the building profile by four feet to better blend in with the surroundings
• Redesigned Odlin Facility Update – building elevation before and after

In addition to these changes, the new design also maintains key elements of the original design, including ADA access, operational effectiveness and efficiency, and most of the original building design effort and costs. The new design was approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission during their April 27 meeting and will be presented to the County Council during the May 12 meeting on Lopez Island.

This facility would replace the existing carport structure to house appropriate facilities for the care of public lands on Lopez Island. The facility seeks to provide protection from the elements for better year-round work, securely and safely store equipment, and separate the office and visitor contact station from staff living quarters.

Community Outreach Redesigned Odlin Facility Tree Map

The County hosted two community meetings to gather feedback from Lopez Islanders. Both meetings were recorded and are available here: Monday, March 23, and Monday, April 27. Additionally, a community volunteer group completed two walk-throughs of the site on April 7 and again on April 15, where a full range of options for siting the building was considered and discussed.

About the Project 

The location and siting of the project were carefully chosen following critical area guidelines, archaeology buffers, and limitations in the existing built and natural environment. To date, the department has completed the architectural and engineering design, cultural impact survey with no findings, local permitting (septic permit pending), tribal consultation, and has received a mitigated determination of no significance through the SEPA process.

For any trees that need to be removed, the department plans to offer them to affiliated tribes for cultural use first, then consider uses throughout the park.

Upcoming Engagement Opportunities 

The community is invited to participate in additional engagement opportunities, including the upcoming Council meeting on Lopez Island.

• Council Meeting: A project update will be presented to the County Council during their regularly scheduled May 12 meeting on Lopez Island. The community will have public access time to provide additional comments during this meeting.

Odlin County Park turns 100 in 2026, and the department looks forward to stewarding county parks and public lands through the next century. Part of that effort includes maintaining park infrastructure – and the facilities that enable appropriate service levels to the public.

The best way to stay up to date with Parks & Fair news (and other County news!) is to sign up for news flashes sent directly to your email. Simply input your email to create your account, select the topics you’re interested in, and start receiving emails to your inbox. Sign up here: https://sanjuancountywa.gov/list.aspx.

Contact: Brandon Andrews, Parks & Fair Director, brandona@sanjuancountywa.gov, 360-370-7452

About San Juan County’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Fair    

San Juan County’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Fair oversees public parks on all four ferry-served islands, manages camping, and hosts the San Juan County Fair. The department offices are located at 849 Argyle Avenue, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information about San Juan County’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Fair, visit https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/2170/Parks-Recreation-Fair.