Saving the Path to the Beach

Perched on a bluff along the shore of Puget Sound, Howarth Park is a heavily wooded and frequently used public park in Everett, Washington. With its spectacular views of the Sound and small beach at the water’s edge, the park is very popular. However, like most of the eastern shore of Puget Sound north of Seattle, the actual beachfront is cut off from the uplands by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad line. The public must cross a pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks and descend down to the beach level on a wooden stair tower to access the beach. …