School’s out, the weather is warming, and nothing says “summer!” like a day at the beach.
And for the family on a budget, the beach can also spell relief from expensive entertainment alternatives.
Fortunately, Thurston County is home to some of the Puget Sound’s loveliest, most accessible shorelines. State, county and city beach parks offer informal activities, among them shell and rock exploration, swimming and wading, kayaking and standup paddling, and a robust game of water-fetch for the family dog. Most parks on the Sound boast shelters and hiking trails in addition to waterfronts. Thrifty Thurston families will find days worth of outdoor options.
Priest Point Park may be the most well-known beachfront park in Olympia. The city manages its wooded trails and inlets but Jen Lamont, the mother of two toddlers, likes it primarily for its playground. Priest Point is easy and safe, she said. “I can go with the kids, without my husband or a friend, and feel totally comfortable.” Plus, she said, her three-year old daughter and 18-month old son can play on the swings for hours.
Another go-to for Lamont is Boston Harbor, which she says is, “a great place for kids to play.” During their most recent sojourn, she said, “someone had left sand tools and they had a blast.” After digging in the sand, they amused themselves by picking up sticks and colorful rocks. “I found rocks in my washing machine,” said Lamont with a laugh.
As her children get older, Lamont hopes to introduce them to kayaking and standup paddling at Boston Harbor. The adjacent Boston Harbor Marina is revitalizing its food and beverage service, she said. “It’s also a great place to watch the sunset,” she said.
Swing by Burfoot Park when you are in the neighborhood. Located less than a mile before Boston Harbor, this park allows plenty of access to the water and scenic views of Olympia. Find shade at the shelter and eat at the numerous picnic tables.
Tolmie State Park is smaller and arguably less accessible park than Priest Point and Boston Harbor, but it has scheduled activities and is highly dog-friendly. On a warm Tuesday in June, a boisterous, naturalist-led elementary school field trip shared space with three families, one with a baby in a special backpack seat, two teenagers and a young Labrador, and a single woman with a mutt. The school kids frolicked, the baby fell asleep in its palanquin-like seat, the woman strolled quietly with her leashed dog, and the teens failed to exhaust their pup, who could not get enough of swimming out to retrieve the stick they were throwing.
In addition to free-form recreation, Priest Point, Tolmie, and Burfoot parks offer educational programs, in partnership with the South Sound Estuary Association (SSEA). Volunteer naturalists hold “Meet the Beach” sessions all summer, in which families can learn about the rich marine life that inhabits the area’s waters. Boston Harbor will host an SSEA program called Pier Peer two Friday nights in July and one in August. The bring-your-own-flashlight-and-Crocs event for parents and children six and older allows participants to view and learn about nocturnal underwater activity.
Shellfish have long been a staple of the Northwest and clam-digging is a favorite activity for many Thurston families. Rules around digging for shellfish are posted at most of the public beaches, on each park’s website and at the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife site.
Other, smaller beachfront parks have fewer amenities and programming, but they provide pristine surroundings and peaceful summer amusement. They include Frye Cove (on Steamboat Island) and The Evergreen State College beach on Eld Inlet.
Lamont takes safety into consideration every time she takes the kids to the beach. She checks or brings tidal charts on digs. She totes life jackets, towels, fresh water and more snacks than her son and daughter will eat. “And there are not enough baby wipes in the world after a day in the sand,” she said. She packs hats for the toddlers, but since, “they are always on the move and they don’t keep anything on their heads, we take lots of sunscreen,” she said. Flip-flops or sandals protect tender feet against rocky or shell-strewn terrain.
“The South Sound beaches are unique,” said Lamont of the driftwood-scattered, cold-water inlets tucked behind miles of woods. “You are not going to lie out and sunbathe.”
Lamont has a piece of advice for newer parents heading to the South Sound shore. “Don’t go with an agenda,” she said. All parents get frustrated by the dilemmas of over-packing and delayed departures, but, for the most part, a day at the beach is not about staying on schedule. “Be easy going,” she said. “And remember it’s about relaxation, fun, fresh air, Vitamin D and exercise for all. And hopefully the kids fall asleep on the way home.”
Thrifty Thurston highlights inexpensive family fun in Thurston County. The weekly series focuses on family-friendly activities throughout our community. If you have a suggestion for a post, send us a note at submit@thurstontalk.com. For more events and to learn what’s happening in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and the surrounding area, visit our complete event calendar.
