Skagit County, land trust and partners open expanded Big Rock park after $1.8 million purchase

Skagit County and local partners celebrated the ribbon-cutting and public opening of Big Rock Park on March 17 after the Skagit Land Trust bought a 63-acre parcel to expand access to the county’s landmark rock and surrounding acreage.

Michael Kirschenbaum, conservation director for the Skagit Land Trust, told the commissioners the land trust used reserves and community support to take the property off the market and pursue grants. “The land trust board of directors decided to put forth the whole purchase price — $1,800,000 — which was virtually all of our reserve funds,” Kirschenbaum said, noting nearly 400 donors and a successful Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grant that ranked the project first in the state among 64 applicants.

The purchase expands public access from an original donated 10-acre parcel to a total of about 73 acres, Kirschenbaum said, and the county and several nonprofit partners supplied matching contributions and stewardship commitments. Brian Bridal, Skagit County parks director, thanked volunteers, donors and local governments for years of partnership and described the effort as a multi-party achievement. “There was no me. There was no I,” Bridal said, praising partners who provided money, time and expertise.

Speakers at the ceremony stressed the site’s cultural and ecological significance. Scott Schuyler of the Upper Skagit Scribe read oral-history passages emphasizing the tribe’s generational ties to the Nookachamps watershed and Big Rock (Yudwasta). “Today, the Upper Skagit tribe … supports you to ask to park, not just for here, but for our children's children,” Schuyler said.

Arlen Bogards, Northwest regional manager for the Washington Trails Association, described volunteer trail work and safety improvements that made the bluff and bench accessible. “Our mission is trails for everyone forever,” Bogards said, thanking volunteers and noting plans for further improvements and stewardship phases, including upcoming work related to the Hill Creek Waterfall property.

Commissioners praised the long-term nature of the project. Commissioner Burns called the occasion “a fantastic” result of community cooperation and named donors including Ellen and Bill (who donated 20 acres), the Hoyt family for the original gift, Washington Trails Association, RCO and other partners. Commissioners also noted the project’s benefit to future generations and planned photo and media releases documenting the ribbon cutting.

No formal county action or vote was recorded at the ceremony; the event consisted of remarks, partner recognitions and awards. The county and nonprofit partners said more stewardship and permitting work remains — including engineering and environmental review for a permanent trailhead and a planned footbridge to replace a culvert — and additional trail connections are expected to be developed in coming months.

Officials encouraged the public to visit while trail crews and volunteers continue site improvements; Washington Trails Association volunteers were scheduled to be on site later the same day to help visitors and show improvements.

Provenance: The project background, purchase price, donor and acreage details were presented by the Skagit Land Trust and partners during the March 17 ceremony (topic introduction SEG 001, topic finish SEG 1050).