Howarth Park Then and Now
Editor’s note: Originally published September 13, 2016. Updated November 4, 2021. Improvements continue at Howarth Park. Construction on a new playground and sport court renovations are anticipated to start in Fall 2021.
After all these years, Howarth Park has suffered weathered wear and tear, but the unbeatable view has never changed. Recently, the beach area was re-opened to the public for the first time in over a year.
The reason for the closure was two-fold. The 27-year old bridge that crosses high above the railroad tracks needed repairs after rust and corrosion was found on the steel beams.
Meanwhile, the beach itself got an overhaul by Snohomish County as part of the Nearshore Beach Restoration Project, with the goal of making the area encouraging to salmon and other fish.
On a recent revisit to the park, I found myself reliving memories of earlier visits during my childhood. Growing up in Everett, I have a lot of fond memories of both Howarth Park and beach.
Howarth park has many layers to it. At the top sits an incredibly grassy park with lots of picnic benches, two tennis courts, playground equipment and restrooms. As a teen I would try, badly, to play tennis and sometimes my youth group would hang out there.
As a parent myself, I brought my kids so they could discover their own adventures. The playground section is smaller now but is well maintained.
One of the park’s best features was the wooded trail that would lead visitors from the grassy playground to the sandy beach below via a well-marked trail through a dark forest. Though the trail wasn’t a great distance to walk, the path itself provided some difficulty depending on what condition it was in at the time.
The trail has been worked on and maintained many times over the years. I was sad to see that it is currently closed. Fortunately, getting down to beach is only a short drive away.
As a kid, I used to love watching the trains travel under the bridge, and shared that same experience with my own kids when they were that young as well. Once on the other side, I was able to see to the recent changes due to the restoration project. The biggest change I noticed was just how much more of the beach was able to be used by visitors. The large wall of rocks are now gone.
By the tower, new beach-friendly plants will be planted soon. Overall though, the place looks unfinished. But then again, there’s that view.
At the bottom of the stairs of the tower, the dog-friendly beach is divided in two. Looking at the water to the right is the off-leash area, something my own pup has enjoyed. In the distance you can hear the sea lions soaking up the sun further down the beach. Dogs are welcomed on the left side of the tower as well, but must be on a leash here.
Howarth Park has more to go with its transformation, but there is still much to appreciate.
Howarth Park
1127 Olympic Blvd.
Everett, WA 98203
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