Howarth (Beach) Dog Park

Howarth Park ("how" pronounced like "now") is a beautiful beach that easily rivals the Edmonds Marina. A short woodsy walk leads to a Possession Sound beach, with Olympic and Cascade mountain views, lots of logs for seats and -- unless the tide is in --plenty of room for Frisbee tosses. The off-leash area is at the north end, to the right as you come down the steps from the railroad over-crossing. Poop bags and garbage cans provided. Restrooms and water elsewhere in park. Not wheelchair accessible. The start of the off-leash area is a bit rocky, but there was enough sand along the waterfront for a man and his dog to play fetch in the water.

Downsides: Do not go here if your dog is not under voice control. Right at the beginning of the off-leash area your dog can get onto the train tracks. Bring your own fresh water. Shells and rocks may be rough on dog paws.

Directions: From I-5N heading towards Everett, take exit 192 (Broadway) on the left side of I-5. Very soon after the exit, take the second exit ramp to your right (41st Street/Mukilteo). The ramp takes you to 41st Street -- follow the ramp to the right, to 41st St. After a couple lights, you pass a Safeway on the left and 41st St. becomes Mukilteo Blvd. It goes up a hill.

• Option 1: When you reach Olympic Blvd. (traffic light, 76 gas station on the right corner), you can turn right on Olympic and follow it towards the water until the road literally ends at Howarth Park.
• Option 2: Or, you can continue straight through the light past Olympic. After a few blocks, turn right on Seahurst Ave. That is the upper entrance to Howarth Park. There is a small sign "Howarth Park" with an arrow to direct you down this road. Seahurst quickly hooks up with Olympic Blvd. First you will come to a parking lot near the children's play area. Go past this lot, and next you will see a very tiny parking lot. If you park here, you can walk on a path to the right, which leads downstairs to the beach. Otherwise, continue on to the next main parking lot. From this lower parking lot, follow a boardwalk and it will lead upstairs to the beach A walkway leads over the train tracks to a spiral staircase structure. At the bottom, the off-leash area is marked by a sign to the right.