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Background and history of the Tramp Harbor Dock

Because of the importance and relevance of the Tramp Harbor Dock, it has been covered extensively over time in our island newspapers, including the Beachcomber.  The  condition and repair costs of the dock have been part of the island community discussion for years. When the dock was first closed in 2019, it was written up as a “sad day”. In January of 2020, photographer Ray Pfortner wrote of how he is inspired by the dock and advocated for saving it.  A story from Bruce Haulman and Terry Donnelly, from November 2022, offered a historical perspective on the Tramp Harbor Dock.  The Beachcomber wrote about the dock’s potential fate in an opinion piece in October of 2022, remembering Tramp Harbor Dock.  

Several interesting incidents at the dock have risen to the level of newsworthy.  A safe was discovered by divers at the end of the dock in 2008.  

The Tramp Harbor Dock extends from the Dockton Road.  This road is aging and was, at a time, slated for a potential facelift by King County. The community’s input in 2009 and 2010 was part of a process that never resulted in a significantly improved roadway.  The Tramp Harbor has historic and scenic value, recognized for this by King County in 2009.  The section of road between Ellisport and Portage is part of several designated stretches of road of special significance on Vashon. King County's Historic and Scenic Corridors Project documents the roadway’s importance.   

Please review the FAQs below for more detailed information.  Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Tramp Harbor Dock

In partnership with the Vashon Park District, the Vashon Parks Foundation is fundraising to replace the Tramp Harbor Dock. The dock is a tremendously valued asset and meaningful to the community in a multitude of ways.  It is Vashon’s only deep-water pier and a one-of-a-kind recreational attraction.  The dock has been adored by a diversity of users including families, birders, fishers, squidders, photographers, divers, walkers and marine life lovers of all kinds. The community has identified the dock as a priority for the Park District’s last three community surveys (2015-2023).

The dock was closed in 2019 due to structural deterioration and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) lease requirements. It has been sorely missed.  The Park District evaluated options to remove, rebuild, or replace the dock, and, after much research, in 2023 the Park District Board voted to replace it.

A new design was completed and engineered to meet regulatory requirements. Unfortunately, the Park District was not successful in the 2025 round of grants. The Park District is strongly committed to replacing the dock in some form and is investigating the best strategy moving forward. 

Regardless of the Park District’s revised plan for the Tramp Harbor Dock, community contributions will be necessary.  The Vashon Parks Foundation continues to seek donations from the community. We will keep updates on our website and communicate new plans for the Tramp Harbor Dock when the Park District has come to a decision.  

With your help, the Tramp Harbor Dock can be a truly accessible, one-of-a-kind gem once more. Being surrounded by water is our collective identity.  The Tramp Harbor Dock is our unique and treasured extension into our marine environment.  Please donate now!

 FAQs

  • No. The new dock will be 16 feet shorter in length due to non-negotiable tribal treaty rights of the Point Heyer Geoduck Tract that surrounds the outer area.  The width of the new pier will be 9’, 2’ narrower than the current dock. The rebuilt dock will have a platform of 30’ x 16’,  approximately one quarter the size of the current 60’ x 32’ platform. The dock will have a 9’ wide trestle and coated steel grating. The current dock has wooden plank decking. Precast concrete pilings will replace the current creosote coated pilings.

  • No. The funds for the dock will come from private donations, existing money earmarked for the project by the Vashon Park District and grants from the State of Washington and King County.

  • Two Washington State Recreational and Conservation Office grants and one King County grant.

  • All donations that have been given to the Foundation and specified for the dock rebuild are tracked for each named donor. If the project does not proceed as planned, each donor will be contacted and given the option to roll their donation to the Foundation’s general fund, or to be refunded.

  • No. The approximate cost of demolition is $250,000. The Vashon Park District will bear this cost.

  • The District only owns the tidelands beneath the first 180’ of the 340’ dock. The remaining 160’ to the end of the dock is under stewardship of the State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). An Aquatics Land Lease requires the District to remediate the current dock. These requirements are met in the current rebuild design.

  • Please visit this location to review the design.