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Portage Creek Wildlife Area

20802 59th Ave. NE
Arlington, WA 98223

Contact


425-388-6600

Hours

7 a.m. - Dusk

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Portage Creek Wildlife Area

Documents

Map - Portage Creek

Aerial Photo and Description

Other Link Parks Home Page

Features

  1. Interpretive Center
  2. Picnic Tables
  3. Restrooms/Sanicans

Important Notes 

  • Cemetery Road entrance is closed.
  • Dogs are not permitted at this park.
  • The park and trails can get very wet and muddy. Waders might be needed for certain parts of the wetland trails. Portions of this park are not maintained.

Description

A 157-acre wildlife reserve home to a variety of wetland plants and animals. Stroll along the tranquil stream and enjoy the open meadow paths while catching glimpses of herons, raptors and many species of waterfowl.


Visitors to the Portage Wildlife Sanctuary can enjoy the network of trails that cross the expansive fields. Other wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, hawks, beaver, raccoons, mink, amphibians, other small mammals, and all types of waterfowl.

 

Park History

A portion of the site was previously owned by Gene Ammon. Mr.. Ammon used the site as a peat farm until 1978 when he began to preserve the site’s unique natural resources. He restored the wetlands in the mined areas, enhanced fish spawning opportunities, and improved habitat for a variety of wildlife. He referred to the site as Amen’s Wildlife Sanctuary and encouraged the public to visit.  In 1992 Mr.. Ammon approached Snohomish County about preserving this wonderful natural resource. Snohomish County Parks was able to secure funds through the Conservation Futures program and purchased the property in 1995.


One year later the county purchased an additional 137 acres to the north. This addition had formally been utilized as a dairy farm and carried with it an easement from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in their Wetland Reserve Program (WRP). The objective of this program is to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands for improving wildlife habitat and increasing the functions and values that wetlands provide within watersheds.  Snohomish County Parks has worked in conjunction with the NRCS, several other partners and many volunteers to achieve the goals of this program. 


Together, these two properties have created a 157-acre wildlife reserve, known as the Portage Wildlife Sanctuary.




Driving Directions:

From I-5 or SR-9, take SR-530 to 59th Ave SE and turn south.  Follow 59th St to the park entrance (on the right).  If you reach 59th Dr SE you've gone too far.



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