The trespassing sign at Madrona Point was illegally removed in an act of vandalism in April. Now islanders who head that way will see there is still no sign. Is Madrona Point open or not?
County Councilman Rick Hughes said it’s complicated, but basically the point’s status is in limbo not technically closed, but not officially opened by the Lummi. Hughes is taking steps to come to an agreement with the Lummi Nation about the status of the sacred land.
The history
In 2007, after 17 years of public access, the Lummis closed off the point to visitors, citing disrespect to the land. According to reports at the time there were beer bottles and trash dotting the landscape, illegal campfires were left burning, and dog walkers did not obey the “no dogs allowed” signs.
Although the story really begins earlier in 1887, when a dispute over ownership of the burial ground resulted in a lawsuit brought by a group of Native Americans who argued that the Trustees of the Cemetery Association had no right to sell the land. They won the initial case, but the State Supreme Court later ruled in favor of the trustees.
The 30-acre land was sold to the Harrison family in 1890. In 1967, Seattle businessman Norton Clapp purchased the property, and in the mid-1980s he announced his plan to build a condo development. Clapp also owned most of Turtleback Mountain.
When word reached the Orcas community, a grassroots effort to save the point was quickly launched. The project took on a life of its own, with support from the county, the Church Council of Greater Seattle, and eventually Congress, which negotiated with Clapp to purchase the property for $2.2 million. It was then turned over to the Lummi Nation.
In a memorandum of understanding signed by the Lummi Nation and San Juan County in 1989, the Lummis agreed to “manage the property as an open space, natural area and forest, open to individuals and groups for walking and educational purposes” with permission of the tribe.
But when islanders misused the area, the Lummi installed the “keep out” sign.
Moving forward
The county council has approved Hughes to draft a letter to move forward with talks with Lummi leaders about joint access to Madrona Point.
“It is my hope that the San Juan County Land Bank could be a steward of the land on behalf of the county and the Lummi,” said Hughes. “So that people can respect and enjoy the multi-cultural aspects of the land.”
Hughes is drafting the letter now and is continuing to reach out to Lummi leaders about use of the land.
“It’s important to me and the community,” he said.
