MARSH FACTS AND FEATURES

0    The Edmonds Marsh is 22 acres of wetland habitat in the southwestern corner of the Edmonds City limits. It is owned by the City of Edmonds and is one of its parks.

0    Adjoining the marsh on the south is the Unocal parcel. On the southeast corner is the Willow Creek Fish Hatchery and the Native Plant Demo Garden. On the east is Edmonds Way and the Shellabarger Marsh. On the north is Harbor Square, and to the west is the Burlington Northern rail line.

0    190+ species of birds have been observed in the marsh. Deer and coyotes are among the other animals that frequent the marsh.

0    A popular boardwalk exists along the north side of the marsh, and several observation platforms provide views into the wetland areas.

0    Two creeks flow into the marsh: Willow Creek and Shellabarger Creek. Water leaves the marsh through a 1,600-foot pipe under Marina Beach Park and into Puget Sound.

0    Each September, hundreds of birdwatchers visit the marsh as part of the annual Edmonds Bird Fest put on by the city and Pilchuck Audubon.

0     Volunteer organizations working in the marsh include Students Saving Salmon, the Edmonds Stewards, and a WSDOT community group. Groups are monitoring water quality, removing invasive plants, opening water channels, and restoring native vegetation.

0     The 21-acre Unocal property, owned by the Chevron Corporation, was the site of a fuel terminal that operated from 1923 to 1991. It was used for storing, blending, and distributing petroleum products. An asphalt plant also operated on the site between 1953 and the late 1970s.

 0     Chevron Corporation is conducting a partial clean-up of the contaminated site. The work is being overseen by the Washington Department of Ecology.

0     The Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has a purchase agreement with Chevron for the parcel. After gaining ownership, WSDOT will declare the property surplus and will put it up for sale. The City of Edmonds has the “right of first purchase” to match the highest offer. The right will be lost in June of 2025 unless renegotiated.

0     The Edmonds Marsh, Unocal, Willow Creek, and Marina Beach Park parcels combined total just under 50 acres.

0     Several invasive plant species, including deadly nightshade, purple loosestrife, reed canary grass, common reed grass, and knotweed are causing problems in the marsh.

0     Untreated stormwater flows from Edmonds Way and Harbor Square into the marsh.