Beach party

Sure signs of the season:

Honeybees buzzing among the plum blossoms. Daisies and dandelions strewn through the clover along the river.

Family barbecues — hot dogs, of course, grilled over a wood fire. A 3-year-old in rubber alligator boots, muddy from the shrinking winter puddles, stuffing the season's first toasted marshmallow into his mouth.

And a park ranger zipping through the picnic area on a three-wheeler, towing a drag to knock down the scores of mole hills built over the long, wild off-season. It was a rough winter at River Meadows Park, a 150-acre stretch of county-owned riverfront, meadows, orchards and woods east of Arlington along the Stillaguamish River.

"First we had the floods. Then we had the snow. Then we had the windstorms," said Snohomish County Parks ranger Jerry Smith. "We lost so many trees it's just mind-boggling."

The South Fork of the Stillaguamish, which encircles much of the park, in November ripped out a 50-foot swath of riverbank and washed out parts of a trail that runs through groves of cottonwood and aspen along the river's edge.

Then the weight of snow and ice crushed dozens of flowering plum trees, planted nearly 20 years ago near an orchard that dates back to the land's pioneer era. Finally came the December windstorms, which downed even more trees.

Now, summer has returned, and rangers have been working hard all over the county to prepare for fair-weather crowds seeking to celebrate the long-missed warmth of the sun. At River Meadows Park, downed trees were pulverized into wood chips, and the once-flooded meadow is again green and ready for fun-seeking.

The meadow, popular for kite flying, Frisbee games and remote-control airplanes, is near the riverfront picnic grounds. Above the meadow are vestiges of early homesteads, including fruit trees and roses, and trails meander through woods in the park's undeveloped southeastern corner.

When the river becomes warm and lazy, the park will be busy — especially on weekends. Teenagers swim to the other, wooded side of the Stillaguamish, while younger children play in the shallows.

Before the river is ready for swimming — even in early summer it can be chilly and fast-running — it's still a good time to check out the park, said Dustin Phillips, 16, who lives in the area and spent a recent sunny afternoon playing in the meadow with a younger brother.

"In the springtime, it doesn't get super-packed," he said.

Snohomish County offers a wealth of waterfront parks for family exploration and picnics, stretching from urban beachfronts in Edmonds and Mukilteo to more remote spots such as Lake Goodwin north of Tulalip or Lake Roesiger outside Snohomish.

Here's a look at some of them.

Saltwater beaches and parks

Kayak Point Regional Park : The 428-acre county park on the shores of Port Susan features 3,300 feet of shoreline for day play as well as an evergreen forest for hiking and camping. Facilities and activities include fishing piers, boat launches, windsurfing, picnic tables and paved trails. Online reservations are available for picnic shelters, campsites, RV spots, yurts and cottages. The site's name dates to the mid-1900s, when Native kayaks from an Arctic expedition were mounted on the side of a resort building. Location: 15610 Marine Drive, just north of the Tulalip Tribes Reservation. Information: 360-652-7992 or www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/Departments/Parks/Information/Park_Directory.

Howarth Park : Everett's original bathing beach today is a three-tiered, 28-acre park with mountain and sound views, tennis courts, the Lewis and Clark Native Garden and trails leading to a beach that features an off-leash section for dogs. The upper areas include picnic and barbecue facilities and a playground, and the beach route includes a kid-pleasing railroad overpass. Location: 1127 Olympic Blvd., off Mukilteo Boulevard, with several parking areas and trailheads. Information: 425-257-8300 or www.everettwa.org.

Mukilteo Lighthouse Park : The former state park offers a bit of everything: a sandy beach, a long stretch of waterfront sidewalk for those who prefer solid footing, picturesque ferry views, fire pits, barbecues, picnic tables, kite-flying, a boat launch, nearby shops for cold drinks and snacks, plus a good dose of history. In 1855, leaders of the Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish and other tribes gathered on that shore to sign the Point Elliott Treaty, ceding lands stretching from Des Moines to Arlington in exchange for federal recognition and rights to the Tulalip Reservation. Location: 609 Front St., just south of the Mukilteo Ferry. Information: 425-355-4141 then 0 for the city operator or www.ci.mukilteo.wa.us/parks_rec/lighthouse_park/Lighthouse%20Park-SIB-1.htm.

Picnic Point Park : A pedestrian overpass carries beachgoers over the railroad to a small county beach with picnic tables, barbecues and sunset views of Whidbey Island and the Olympic Mountains. Location: 12001 Picnic Point Road, midway between Mukilteo and Edmonds. Information: 425-388-6600 or www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/Departments/Parks/Information/Park_Directory

Meadowdale Park : A 1 ¼-mile nature trail winds through the woods, dropping 425 feet as it descends from its trailhead to a grassy picnic area and sandy beach. Lund's Gulch Creek parallels the trail in places, then runs through the park and empties into Puget Sound in a shallow wading area popular with toddlers. The county park sits on the site of a long-gone country club. Location: 6026 156th St. S.W., on the north edge of Edmonds. Information: 425-388-6600 or www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/Departments/Parks/Information/Park_Directory

Brackett's Landing : The city-operated park and its adjacent Edmonds Underwater Park lie alongside the Edmonds ferry dock, providing a popular beach for locals and visitors alike. Landlubbers enjoy the shoreline walkways and Olympic Mountains views, as well as a chance to watch scuba divers exploring the 27-acre underwater park. Brackett's Landing lies on both sides of the ferry, with a quiet, sandy beach to the south, and a busier beach — including the scuba park and a rock jetty — on the north. Location: the foot of Main Street below downtown Edmonds. Information: 425-771-0227 or www.ci.edmonds.wa.us/parks.stm.

Edmonds Marina Beach : This city park has two distinct personalities, divided by the old Unocal pier. To the north lies the official park, with paved walkways, a sandy beach, a children's play area, benches and large expanses of grass. The south side — an off-leash beach — is a busy regional destination for dog-lovers and their wet, happy charges. Location: South end of Admiral Way. Information: 425-771-0227 or www.ci.edmonds.wa.us/parks.stm.

Lakeside parks

Lake Goodwin : Snohomish County operates Lake Goodwin Community Park, a 14-acre former resort on the lake's north end that offers a swimming beach, hiking trails and picnic tables and shelters. Location: 4620 Lakewood Road, Stanwood. Wenberg State Park , on the lake's southeastern shore, is a 46-acre camping park with swimming, boat ramps, picnic shelters, fishing and water-skiing. Location: The lake is west of Interstate 5, off the Lakewood exit. Information: 425-388-6600 or www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/Departments/Parks/Information/Park_Directory or www.parks.wa.gov/parks.

Gissberg Twin Lakes County Park : The twin man-made lakes are popular for swimming and year-round fishing, with two beaches, grassy lawns, walking paths and picnic tables. The spring-fed, rectangular lakes are former quarry pits, dug to construct nearby Interstate 5. Location: 16324 Twin Lakes Ave., on the west side of I-5 off exit 206. Information: 425-388-6600 or www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/Departments/Parks/Information/Park_Directory.

Lake Stevens : Four parks — two operated by Snohomish County and two by the city — lie on the shores of Lake Stevens. The largest is Lundeen Park , on the lake's north shore, which attracts families with its playground equipment, grassy playfield, basketball court, picnic shelter and large, shallow swimming area with a beach and fishing pier. City Beach , just northwest of downtown Lake Stevens, offers a very small swimming area. The county beaches, Sunset Park and Wyatt Park , both lie toward the lake's south end. Information: 425-334-1012 for city beaches or www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/Departments/Parks/Information/Park_Directory Directory for the county.

Flowing Lake County Park : The 38-acre former resort features campsites, a small amphitheater, picnic shelters and a beach for swimming and canoeing. Location: 17900 48th St. S.E., off Highway 2 about five miles northeast of Snohomish. Information: 360-568-2274 or www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/Departments/Parks/Information/Park_Directory.

Silver Lake beaches : Silver Lake's history as a family-recreation destination dates back to the 1800s, so it's fitting that Everett operates several parks around its shores. The largest is 27-acre park Thornton A. Sullivan Park on the west shore, with a swimming beach, picnic and barbecue facilities, fishing, playgrounds and trails. The 3.3-acre Hauge Homestead Park is on the site of a famous, long-gone resort at the lake's south end, with a fishing dock, picnic and barbecue facilities and a playground. A small fishing area, Green Lantern Park , lies on the lake's northeast corner. Location: west side of Highway 527 in South Everett. Information: 425-257-8300 or www.everettwa.org.

Martha Lake County Park : The six-acre former resort offers a bit of open space and recreation in the middle of a rapidly growing urban area. Swimming, fishing docks, picnic tables and shelters and a playground lie on the lake's south end. Location: 16300 E. Shore Drive, off 164th Street Southwest. Information: 425-741-8357 or www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/Departments/Parks/Information/Park_Directory.

River parks

Twin Rivers County Park : The 44-acre park at the juncture of the North and South forks of the Stillaguamish River is primarily used for soccer and baseball fields. But short trails through a forest lead to picnic spots along the river. Location: Highway 530 outside Arlington, just past the bridge over the South Fork of the Stillaguamish River. Information: 425-388-6600 or www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/Departments/Parks/Information/Park_Directory.

River Meadows Park : The 150-acre county park along the Stillaguamish River has a rich history, including serving as a winter home for the Stillaguamish Tribe. Vestiges of two old homesteads, including an orchard and ornamental plants, remain. The tiered park rises from a meadow along the river through the orchard terrace and into thick woods, with miles of hiking trails. Offerings include a boat launch, campsites, barbecue pits, fishing and swimming. Location: 20416 Jordan Road, off Highway 530 in the Arlington area. Information: 360-435-3441 or www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/Departments/Parks/Information/Park_Directory.

Al Borlin Park : A network of trails weaves through the thickly wooded city park, known to Monroe locals as Buck Island. A pedestrian bridge from Lewis Street Park leads to a landscaped picnic area with barbecue grills at the park's southwestern tip. Location: 615 Simon Road in Monroe, off Highway 203. Information: 360-794-7400 or www.ci.monroe.wa.us.