Webb Camp Celebration

Undercover Update reporter Louise Dustrude shares this account of the celebration out at English Camp Sunday afternoon:

Park superintendent Lee Taylor, the Webbs’ attorney Konrad Liegel, and three of the Webb sisters, Robin, Joanne, and Sally. The fourth sister, Nancy, lives in Alaska and was unable to come – Louise Dustrude photo

Over a hundred adults and children — and one dog — joined together Sunday afternoon to celebrate the addition of the Webb Camp property to English Camp: 34 acres and 2500 feet of undeveloped shoreline.

Mike Cohen entertains the lunch crowd on the deck – Louise Dustrude photo

Following a lunch on the wrap-around porch of the former Webb family home, with Pig War era music provided by Mike Cohen, the group convened near the shore of the cove to honor those who made the acquisition possible. Three of the four Webb sisters — Robin, Joanne, and Sally — were present, as well as representatives of the Conservation Fund, the Land Bank, the San Juan Preservation Trust, the National Park Service, and of our two U.S. Senators, Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, and of our U.S. Representative, Rick Larsen.

Following the trooping of the colors by Ron Garner, Jonathan Marler, Dan Kerr, and Doug Halsey, Raena Parsons led the group in singing The Star-Spangled Banner.

Park superintendent Lee Taylor introduced the honored guests and then led the group in singing “This Land Is Your Land,” accompanying on her guitar.

Park historian Mike Vouri led some of the group on a tour of the shorefront property. As the celebration concluded, the sunny day turned cold and blustery, and visitors headed to the San Juan Transit buses for rides back to their cars at English Camp.

And the oyster farm at Webb Camp? It will be open again this summer for retail sales of clams and oysters. That portion of the property was not sold to the National Park, and is still on the market. With luck, someone will buy it who wants to continue the operation.

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