Pickleball at the BARC
The Vashon Park District has announced its interest in the addition of two pickleball courts at the Burton Adventure Recreation Center (BARC).
The nonprofit Rj’s Kids will serve as project manager for the proposed courts. Previously, Rj’s Kids performed the same role during the installation of a concrete pump track installation for skateboarders at the BARC.
The addition of the pickleball courts and other amenities will enhance and expand the recreational opportunities for all ages and abilities at the park, according to the Park District.
The newly formed Vashon Pickleball Club will assist with fundraising as part of the monetary match requirements for grants. Grant applications are planned for 2025 and 2026, but fundraising will be necessary for the match requirements and expenses outside of the amounts funded by the grant. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2027.
All are welcome to attend a community meeting for a presentation of the project at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14, at the Ober Park Administration Building, 17130 Vashon Hwy SW. Questions and comments can be forwarded to eott@vashonparks.org.
Bus rider struck by vehicle
A 17-year-old male was struck by a vehicle after exiting a Metro bus on the afternoon of Thursday, Sept. 19 at 188th Street SW and Vashon Highway.
According to Vashon Island Fire & Rescue Chief Matt Vinci, the teenager received moderate undetermined injuries and was taken by first responders to Tacoma General Hospital. According to Vinci, the car that struck the teenager was traveling in the opposite direction of the bus.
A family member told The Beachcomber that the teenager was released from the hospital on Friday, Sept. 20.
According to King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Brandyn Hull, “the incident was cleared at the scene with no arrest or citation” made to the driver involved in the accident.
Fall sailing schedule
Washington State Ferries’ (WSF) fall sailing schedule began Sept. 22 and lasts until Dec. 28. As previously reported in August, that means that on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth “Triangle” route, the unscheduled third “ghost” boat will now seven days a week — when crewing and vessel availability allow.
On weekends, the boat will operate from midmorning to afternoon and Sunday from midday to early evening.
Annual deer hunt
The annual limited deer-hunting season at King County Parks’ Island Center Forest runs this year from October 12-31.
Trails in the Natural Area will be open for public use, but the rest of the park will be closed to all other users except for hunters.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) oversees the deer hunt at Island Center Forest to better control the growing deer population on Vashon-Maury Island, where deer generally have no natural predators. The hunting season during the second half of October coincides with WDFW’s designated modern firearm hunting season, when all firearms can be used, except rifles.
Island Center Forest is the only public land on Vashon Island where deer hunting has been allowed.
The hunt is open to everyone with a big game deer license and tag for deer with the modern weaponry option. One deer (antlerless or buck) is allowed. The WDFW issues a special permit through a limited lottery for a second (antlerless only) deer with the modern weaponry tag — learn more about that permit by visiting wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/special-hunts.
