Photo Courtesy of Mike McKee www.myporttownsend.com
“August 2017: City Parks recently added gravel to portions of the trail rendering them less firm and stable. DASH is monitoring the situation.”
Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park is a year-round, accessible city park that is popular with birdwatchers, dog walkers and people of all ages. The level, firm, well-packed earth loop trail starts at the accessible parking slot area for a 20 minutes easy walk along a level trail. Enjoy a relaxing walk or wheelchair roll along to the northeast shore of the Kah Tai Lagoon. The park has many varieties of waterfowl, including Ruddy Ducks and Blue Herons. Stroll or Roll into Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park to enjoy listening to the birds and seeing seasonal wildflowers.
The park location is ideal due to the close proximity to the local community, with shops, recreation, businesses, services etc.
Parking
Park at PT Transit Center or at Kah Tai. Many designated parking spaces in Transit Center and one accessible parking space at Kah Tai’s gravel parking lot (>10 feet wide). Alternatively, park on 12th Street curbside parking behind Henery’s Hardware Store. There is wheelchair access from the Transit Center, sidewalks and parking lot. No ramps needed in this scenic, flat walking trail loop.
Transit
Jefferson County Transit and Dial-A-Ride have bus stops at the Port Townsend – Haines St Park & Ride immediately adjacent to the Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park. Disembark at the Port Townsend – Haines St Park & Ride, walking 50 feet to 12th Street and gain access to the park on a packed earth trail immediately next to Park & Ride.
How to get there
The park is close to Safeway, adjacent to the Haines Street Park and Ride and directly behind Henery’s Hardware Store on 12th Street. There are entrances off 12th Street, Landes Street and Kearney Street.
Trail
The trail surface is maintained packed earth that is level, firm and stable. Small scattering of pea-sized gravel that should not cause any difficulty with wheelchair accessibility. Most of the trail is more than 6 feet wide. In winter after heavy rain there may be some standing water and small puddles. It is generally dry in summer.
The trail is accessible and level. The loop trail is less than a mile, about a 20 or 30 minute stroll.
There are clear lines of sight along the path; vegetation does not block the trail. Walkers feel safe during daylight hours with plenty of public use on this popular trail.
Restrooms
Accessible toilets are only available at adjacent locations (Safeway Grocery Store and Park & Ride Transit Center). At the park, there is a standard portable toilet close to parking.
Facilities
Benches and picnic tables are available. A small bridge links the smaller to the main lagoon. A seating area close by is a good spot for bird watching.
Lighting
There are lights at public rest room building only.
OPEN: Daylight hours, 8:00 AM to Dusk
Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park, 12th Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368 (near PT Transit, Safeway, behind Henery’s Hardware Store).