The Surprising History of Langus Park
Editor’s note: Originally published September 12, 2017. Republished October 8, 2020.
There’s something about Langus Riverfront Park.
It’s an in-between place, an area where saltwater meets freshwater to create bizarre forms of vegetation, stagnant pools, flocks of leggy seabirds, and flotillas of driftwood.
I’ve always liked this park because it feels so weird. Go walk it on a foggy autumn day. Don’t cry when your beloved horse Artax sinks into the mire.
The Langus Park estuary area has been used for centuries. Native Americans navigated the estuary waters by canoe, traveling from the bay up the Snohomish River and back.
By the late 20th century the place had become a dumping ground for environmentally-insensitive knuckleheads. By the 1970s the riverfront property had turned into a de facto recreation area/trash drop: a place where people alternately dumped garbage and jumped ATVs off of trash-strewn sand dunes.
No good. Things had to change.
Bro, do you even row? Everett High School rowing team compete in a regatta at Langus Riverfront Park circa 1988.
Then came a promising sign: the city annexed the lower half of Smith Island in 1983.
In a show of civic pride, the city initiated a site cleanup. One day in April 1983 over 60 volunteers showed up to help park employees flip the spot. Together they hauled off thirteen tons of garbage.
The park officially opened in September 1988. It was named after councilman Bill Langus, longtime city councilman and champion of public parks.
The opening festivities included speeches, a hot air ballon launch, live music and children's games. The main event involved the 1988 US Women’s Olympic Rowing Team competing against the Everett Rowing Team.
The park was turned over to the public.
Seoul sisters: the 1988 women's rowing Olympics team practices in Everett. They won one silver medal in the games.
The takeaways from this story:
First, civic pride can be a powerful thing, something that can literally transform our city in front of our eyes. No obstacle can’t be overcome with some dedication and collective hustle. Get involved by joining your local neighborhood association.
Second, we live in a beautiful place, ripe with plant and animal life. Here’s a picture of a family of deer I saw off of Marine View Drive near Legion this summer:
Our parks and attendant wildlife are our common assets.
Wanna help preserve and restore natural areas in our city? Here are some ideas.
Volunteer with Everett Parks and Recreation.
Become a steward of urban forests by joining the Green Everett Partnership.
Think about it. To paraphrase Flannery O'Connor: the wildlife you save may be your own.
Richard Porter writes for Live in Everett. He lives in North Everett and enjoys bicycling, and endless cups of coffee.