The Vanderbilt Beach Park is an artificial beach located in the San Juan Islands, Washington. It was created by dredging sand from the bottom of Commencement Bay. With a large grassy area, picnic tables and a large man-made lagoon, it's a great place to go for a walk or take your dog for a swim in the salt water. The park provides one of the few public beaches on the islands and is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.

The Vanderbilt Beach Park is an artificial beach located in the San Juan Islands, Washington. It was created by dredging sand from the bottom of Commencement Bay. With a large grassy area, picnic tables and a large man-made lagoon, it's a great place to go for a walk or take your dog for a swim in the salt water. The park provides one of the few public beaches on the islands and is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.

What is Vanderbilt Beach Park?

The Vanderbilt Beach Park is an artificial beach located in the San Juan Islands, Washington. It was created by dredging sand from the bottom of Commencement Bay. With a large grassy area, picnic tables and a large man-made lagoon, it's a great place to go for a walk or take your dog for a swim in the salt water.

The park provides one of the few public beaches on the islands and is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.

The History of Vanderbilt Beach Park

In the 1890s, a local man named George Vanderbilt owned all of the land on the north side of Commencement Bay. He planned to create a resort on his land as a way to capitalize on the potential tourism industry in the San Juan Islands. In order to turn his property into a functioning resort, he created a plan to drain and fill in 9 miles of swampy bay with sand dredged from Commencement Bay.

The project required an enormous amount of sand and was not completed until after Vanderbilt's death in 1942. A total of 1.7 million cubic yards of sand were dredged from Commencement Bay and then pumped onto Vanderbilt's property, creating what would eventually become known as Vanderbilt Beach Park.

In honor of George Vanderbilt, this new beachfront became known as "Vanderbilt Beach." Originally called "Sand Point," it was renamed after George Vanderbilt by Hermann Oelrichs Jr., who had inherited approximately 500 acres of coastal property from his father Hermann Oelrichs Sr.

What makes the park special?

One of the most striking features of this beach is the lagoon. This man-made body of water was created in the 1970s to provide a habitat for sea life that would not otherwise exist in Commencement Bay. The lagoon is home to sea lions, seals, and other marine life.

The park also features an artificial sand dune which allows visitors to walk down to the beach without getting their feet wet.

Another unique feature is the fact that it does not allow motorized vehicles on its premises. The Vanderbilt Beach Park encourages people to get out and enjoy nature by foot or bike instead of car, which makes it a more eco-friendly destination.

Where can you find the park?

The Vanderbilt Beach Park is located at the end of Bay Road on Orcas Island.

Why is it important to protect and care for the park?

The Vanderbilt Beach Park is a relatively recent addition to the island. It was created in 2004 by dredging sand from Commencement Bay and pouring it into the natural lagoon on the east side of Lopez Island. The park is popular for its beautiful scenery, family-friendly atmosphere, and saltwater lagoon-- it provides one of the few public beaches on the islands.

But as more people enjoy this wonderful place, care must be taken to protect it. Please adhere to these regulations when visiting Vanderbilt Beach Park:

Always follow posted regulations

Do not litter

Do not feed ducks or other wildlife

Do not disturb wildlife or plant life

Do not pick any flowers or plants

Do not build structures or dig holes

Conclusion

Vanderbilt Beach Park is an Atlanta icon. It’s also one of the only two remaining saltwater beaches in the city, and is a favorite spot for Atlantans to escape the heat.

It is important that people care for the park, understand the history of the park, and know how to get there. The future of Vanderbilt Beach Park is uncertain, but with your help it will continue to be a place for Atlantans to enjoy for generations to come.