Pope Marine Park/Jackson Bequest

General Location:

Corner of Madison and Water Street

General Description:

The park provides an outdoor focal point and gathering place for downtown visitors and residents. It serves as a venue for summer concerts and public space for events at the Northwest Maritime Center, the American Legion, and other downtown facilities. It comprises grass lawn area, picnic tables, play equipment, the Pope Marine Building, Jackson Wave Viewing Gallery, and City Dock.

History:

Port Townsend’s first waterfront park in the downtown historic district, originally called Marine Park, was renamed in honor of retired Park Superintendent John B. Pope. The 1.33 acre waterfront park fronts the city’s main street across from City Hall. The park was renovated as part of the $4 million Madison Street Streetscape Project that included remodeling of the Cotton Building (the relocated and historic quarantine station) and adding new public restrooms.

The historic Pope Marine Building was completely refurbished with hotel/motel tax revenue and is used for community meetings, conferences and other rentals. City Dock was torn down and replaced with 50% of the funding provided by a Washington State Interagency Commission For Outdoor Recreation (IAC) grant. It was deeded to the Port of Port Townsend in 2013 as part of the exchange for Port property in Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park. The Jackson Bequest park property adjoins Pope Marine Park. It was built in 1987 with a bequest from Mrs. Ruth Jackson and featured a concrete sculpture referred to as the ‘tidal clock’.

The park includes a wave-viewing gallery and sand beds with native beach grasses and beach peas. In 2010 the foundation of the wave-viewing gallery was replaced and in 2011-12 the tidal clock was removed as part of the downtown boardwalk/esplanade project.

Opportunities:

Shoreline Access/Shoreline Views

Total Acreage:

1.33 acres