Acreage

475.5 acres with 17,307 feet of saltwater shoreline.

Acquired

The park was acquired in three parcels; the first in 1964 and the last in 1974, for a total cost of $1,588,125.

Historical Background

Blake Island was an ancestral camping ground of the Suquamish Tribe, and it is believed perhaps Chief Seattle was born there. The island was named by Captain Charles Wilkes, Commander of the first U.S. Naval exploring expedition to enter Puget Sound. It is believed that he named it for George Smith Blake who was in charge of the U.S. Coast Survey from 1837 to 1848. William Pitt Trimble acquired the island at the turn of the century and named it Trimble Island. It became the private preserve of the family and became one of the most remarkable and beautiful estates in the country. The mansion contained one of the finest libraries in the northwest. After Mrs. Trimble was drowned in a freak accident when the family car plunged off an Elliott Bay pier in 1929, Mr. Trimble never went back to Blake Island, and over the years, the abandoned house and magnificent library were systematically vandalized and plundered. What remained standing finally burned. The park was officially named in October 1974.

Facilities

The park has 4 camping areas with a total of 54 sites, 1 Adirondack, 3 pit toilets, 2 porta-potty dump stations, a day use area with 54 picnic sites and 12 barbecues, 3 fire rings, 2 horse shoe pits, and drinking water; a protected moorage with a jetty and twelve 12' X 32' floats, 21 buoys, and 1 pier, 1 marine toilet pump station, 1 designated underwater park; residence, 3 picnic shelters, shop, park aide cabin, 2 comfort stations, 2 volleyball courts, 12 miles of trails (which includes a nature trail), and concession known as Tillicum Village specializing in Indian-style salmon dinners and demonstration of Northwest Indian dances. The tidelands and bedlands are an underwater park. The Commission has a concession agreement with Tillicum Enterprises, William S. Hewitt, President, for the sale of unique food service and souvenirs. The agreement expires in December 2000.

Activities

Picnicking, camping by boat, boating, water skiing, fishing, hiking, beachcombing, scuba diving, clamming, bird watching and marine life study.

Of Special Interest

Blake Island has five miles of beach which provide a magnificent view of the Olympic Mountains, Mount Rainier and Mount Baker, and the Seattle skyline. The island has 30 Black Tail deer in a wooded environment which is a source of amusement to most park visitors.