Attention boaters! We’re sad to say that as of March 2019, the marina at Dockton Park on Maury Island is (mostly) closed until further notice.
In order to protect public safety, King County Parks closed the floating piers, including the breakwater and finger piers, for all use.
A small area of the main dock structure remains open for day-use only on a first-come, first-served basis (at no fee), which will allow boaters to get onto land and access the rest of the park.
After an unusually harsh winter with multiple freeze-thaw cycles, the marina at Dockton Park has deteriorated beyond our capacity to make repairs that could keep it functioning.
Although we had been planning for several dock improvements, which were scheduled for construction this summer, we did not anticipate this scale of deterioration.
The park’s on-land facilities are operational, as is the boat launch.
On a separate, but related note: the restrooms on the dock remain closed. Damage to electrical lines from a fallen tree delayed opening them for the season, and more recently, they were damaged by vandalism, so they are not open at this time. The on-land restrooms are open.
We are exploring all options for getting the dock back up and functioning safely, such as repairing, renovating or replacing the dock. Any future repairs are dependent upon funding availability.
We had been planning a renovation project for this summer, now shelved, and we hope to use that funding toward the future of the facility. Marina infrastructure has been also identified for partial funding in the 2020-2025 King County Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space Levy, which is on the August 6, 2019 ballot.
To receive updates about the marina and Dockton Park, subscribe to our e-newsletter at http://bit.ly/docktonparknews.
As of today, the entire dock has been removed. With the property tax rates at all time highs, it’s a gross mismanagement of an island treasure. I doubt we’ll see a new dock in our lifetimes. Thanks Dow!
Hi Mike,
See the update at https://kingcountyparks.org/2021/09/03/dockton-marina-renovation-here-we-come/ about the dock replacement plans, which will hopefully be complete in your lifetime.
I agree totally!! Been going there on my boat for the last 20+years. Very sad ..I moored in Des Moines so it was a perfect 40minute get away…still can’t believe it! They need to get it back up and running again. I MISS that place…one of favorite places!
*sigh* This dock did not “rapidly deteriorate”, it has been neglected.
I’m not hopeful in a speedy repair. KC has grossly mismanaged this prime asset much to the disservice of its citizens.
Pretty typical King county fiscal management. A prime park asset left to ruin.
VASHON Island’s only public showers at Dockton County park are Locked up for 3 months now, and it is an all day journey off island for residents (many of who have no water at their residences), to be able to get a shower…
more wealthy people may think that the 2 Johnny cans there are enough, but I like to swim in the lagoon there, (When I’m on the island), and need a shower afterwards – so do others – it will help the local economy to have that opened up for visitors! This issue is very important to me as people close to me living on the island need the use of the public showers there!
Please open Them up?
If public hand washing and cleanliness are a good idea, this is an easy way to help! No real maintenance required of these bathrooms as well, because the population nearby are rural and not prone to destruction!
They can bring Their Own Soap @ TP -SO ALL THATS NEEDED –
Unlock the Shower Bathrooms! They were unlocked up until EARLY March and NOT PART OF THE DOCK REMODELING!
Due to COVID-19, restrooms and shower facilities throughout our system are closed until further notice. Restrooms are areas where physical distancing can be challenging and currently require an extremely high level of service to ensure the safety of visitors and our staff. In the near term, we are not able to provide an appropriate level of service, due to limited protective supplies and limited staffing. In the coming weeks, as we ramp up on hiring and training our seasonal staff, we will begin to open single stall restrooms throughout our system.
Is your closure due to COVID, or to unsafe dock conditions? Was planning to visit friends on Vashon, tie up 22′ C-Dory for one night. Will your dock be available after 6/15?
The majority of the dock is closed because of rapid deterioration it experienced last winter. A small area of the dock is open for day use only, first come first served. We are planning repairs, but construction won’t start until later this year. We don’t yet have a date when overnight moorage will be permitted again. The rest of the park is open, but restrooms at this and all other King County parks are closed until further notice. For a list of what’s open and closed in our system, please visit kingcountyparks.org/covid.
VASHON Island’s only public showers at Dockton County park are Locked up for 3 months now, and it is an all day journey off island for residents (many of who have no water at their residences), to be able to get a shower…
more wealthy people may think that the 2 Johnny cans there are enough, but I like to swim in the lagoon there, (When I’m on the island), and need a shower afterwards – so do others – it will help the local economy to have that opened up for visitors! This issue is very important to me as people close to me living on the island need the use of the public showers there!
Please open Them up?
If public hand washing and cleanliness are a good idea, this is an easy way to help! No real maintenance required of these bathrooms as well, because the population nearby are rural and not prone to destruction!-
No reason to punish island residents Anymore-
People are Marching all over the World to protest INJUSTICE-
It is An InJustice to keep these Showers Locked Up! Residents of a rural community are not ignorant of Social Distance issues! PLEASE PLEASE – GET ON With SOME sort of NORMALCY!
Open bathrooms for showers and hand washing PLEASE
What’s the plan for Dockton, for summer 2020? Any progress on making the dock repairs? Will it be open?