Tramp Harbor Dock

Overview: In partnership with the Vashon Park District (VPD), the Vashon Parks Foundation is fundraising to replace the Tramp Harbor Dock. The Tramp Harbor Dock is Vashon’s only outer waterway pier and a one-of-a-kind recreational attraction. The dock was closed in 2019 due to structural deterioration and has been sorely missed by the community. 

A new design is 90% complete, was engineered to meet regulatory requirements, and is in the permitting process.  The rebuild will cost $3.2 million and VPD has applied for several grants that are projected to cover all but $500,000 of the total cost. The VPD has earmarked $200,000 in its Capital Improvement Plan for the project. There will be no new taxes or levies to fund the dock. The Vashon Park Foundation’s contribution is essential to help ensure that the new environmentally friendly and physically sound rebuilt dock will be completed in early 2027.

Financial Need: The Vashon Parks Foundation is seeking contributions from the community totaling $300,000.  Community participation is a requirement of grant applications and represents a testament to the value of the dock to the island.  It is critical to the success of the VPD’s grant applications. 

Description of the New Dock: The new dock will have a similar appearance to the existing dock with a smaller platform area. The new dock will be 346’ in length and the end of the dock platform will be 30’ x 16’. The pier itself will have a 9’ wide trestle and coated steel grating to allow light penetration to help sustain marine life below the dock. Precast concrete pilings will replace the current creosote coated pilings.  The site will have enhanced ADA compliant parking and a beach access stairway. 

Tramp Harbor Dock History: County docks connected steamer ships to new roads and markets for farmers in the late 1800s and early 1900s.  The docks remained for years as community places and recreational spaces far past their original use. Decades later, abandoned mining docks were enticing recreational spots. Today on Vashon, only private docks and one public dock exist in good condition. 

The Tramp Harbor Dock holds countless memories and stories. Its journey began over one hundred years ago in 1921 as the Standard Oil dock and supply station. It was the new neighbor to the Island’s first automobile ferry dock built around 1916. The ferry dock was out-competed by drivers wanting access from Seattle and abandoned in favor of the north end triangle ferry route in 1922. Standard Oil then leased the ferry dock from King County for a few years before it fell into disrepair. Nothing remains of the original car ferry dock aside from cut off pilings to the south of the current dock. 

The Standard Oil dock was reconstructed in 1939 with a broad surface at the water end.  The shore landing platform just north of the dock was used for six bulk storage tanks and a dispensing station. Standard Oil stopped using the pier in the early 1980s and the fuel storage site was demolished. It was then converted to a fishing pier in 1982, and the King County deed was passed to the Vashon Park District in 1995 when it was renamed the Tramp Harbor Dock. 

Our dock is treasured by generations of islanders and visitors drawn to the pier for its abundant opportunities to engage in the unique and beautiful setting. It is accessible to children and anyone wanting to stroll or roll a short distance with maximum reward. The dock also contributes to the character of Vashon because of its historical significance.

Our marine environment is deep in our collective identity and an extension of island life. It is time to bring a new Tramp Harbor Dock back for all of us.