Reuben Tarte County Park

Update Reporter-On-the-Street Diana Mancel fills us in on one of the lesser-known public parks on the island. Here she is with her report…

Diana Mancel reports on this little gem of a park on the island. – Diana Mancel photo

In our quest to learn all we can about our new home, Rich and I traveled to Reuben Tarte County Park a few weeks ago.  I was stunned!  How did I not know about this gorgeous little strip of land?  We spent about two hours, just listening to the sounds of a Kingfisher, watching a harbor seal move around the quiet little beach and enjoying the vista before us.  Before this trip, I thought South Beach was my all time favorite place on the island, but now….sorry, South Beach, I have found a new love.

And who was Reuben Tarte?  He was a Seattle businessman who came to the San Juan Islands in 1956 for a visit, and ended up buying the Roche Harbor Lime Cement Company from Paul McMillan, son of the famous John S. McMillan.  Mr. Tarte and his family began restoring the hotel and warehouse, and when they sold it in 1988, Roche Harbor was well on its way to becoming the beautiful resort it is today.

Rueben Tarte County Park is one of the few places where the public can access the north shore of the island.  Click here for details.

And here’s a cool news article about viewing the Northern Lights from the park back in October of last year with a photo from our island’s own Chris Teren.

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