Oak Harbor leaders, Parks Commission discuss Windjammer Park buildout, inclusive playground and activation

Oak Harbor City Council and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission spent the first hour of their May 27 workshop aligning priorities for Windjammer Park and nearby waterfront areas, focusing on an inclusive playground, site amenities and low-cost activation while flagging permitting and funding steps.

The Parks Commission presented Windjammer Park as a top project. Carrie Stuckey, Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission chair, said the commission has been working on a design to make the playground shovel-ready for future grants and that Windjammer items had been on a prior council priority list but were not explicit in the 2025–26 list. "Thank you, mayor and city council. I am Carrie Stuckey. I am the, Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Chair," Stuckey said when introducing the commission’s work.

Why it matters: Councilmembers and commissioners said they want to avoid overbuilding the park while making it more usable for events and daily visitors. That means timing design, permitting and fundraising so grant applications are competitive and so community donations are used strategically.

Key points discussed

- Inclusive playground: Commissioners said they applied for a grant but were turned down because the project was not shovel-ready. Staff reported the commission has an RFP under review to obtain construction-ready plans; the city has set aside $350,000 from Windjammer Park improvement funds to serve as the local match for the playground design and construction.

- Restrooms: Commissioners and staff said portable toilets in some parks have been repeatedly vandalized and that a small prefab restroom would cost "about $100,000" per site. Staff said they are evaluating more permanent prefab restroom options for parks with parking and organized uses.

- Windmill, lagoon dock and amphitheater concepts: The rotary windmill restoration is ongoing; the lagoon dock has been on hold. Commissioners described a conceptual amphitheater that would face the harbor and would require deliberate siting to avoid having audiences look into the setting sun. Councilmembers asked the commissions to weigh in on whether the city should build an amphitheater in addition to the playground and windmill.

- Activation and vendors: Councilmembers and commissioners discussed strategies to encourage food trucks and vendors without locking the city into a single vendor. Commissioners said staff is exploring a registration/reservation system for food vendors for weekend summer dates, rather than an annual exclusive contract, and will pilot a first-come, first-served reservation after an approval process.

- Front Marsh and trails: Commissioners urged attention to the Front Marsh and adjacent walking trail network, noting drainage, sight-line and access issues and the need to comply with Department of Ecology requirements for work in the marsh. Staff said the city had previously tried to purchase some waterfront property and that the marsh parcel is not city-owned, but that the city can enhance trails and connectivity on property it controls.

Funding and next steps: Staff and commissioners emphasized sequencing—completing design and permits to improve grant competitiveness, aligning donation drives with confirmed projects, and phasing amenities (playground, shade structures, restrooms, lighting and parking expansions). Commissioners said they will formalize plans and return with RFPs and more specific cost estimates for council review.

Voices and questions: Councilmembers repeatedly urged that Windjammer not be over-programmed and asked that the commission identify priorities that create "gravity"—attractions that draw vendors and activity. Commissioners asked for clearer council direction so volunteer time and limited funds are focused on council priorities.

Ending: Commissioners and staff said they will bring refined designs, cost estimates and implementation sequencing back to council for budget and grant-alignment decisions.