What is the Wyckoff Superfund site?

    Places

    The Wyckoff Superfund site is the former wood-treating plant on Bill Point, at the mouth of Eagle Harbor — the east end of Pritchard Park. EPA’s official name is Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor. The plant operated from 1903 until 1988 and left creosote in the soil, groundwater, and harbor sediment. EPA added it to the Superfund list in 1987.

    Sheet-pile wall at the former Wyckoff wood-treating plant on Bainbridge Island, looking toward Seattle.
    The steel wall around the former plant, with a sand cap on the beach. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo, via EPA.

    It is not the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial. That is the old Eagledale dock at the other end of the same park. The fenced plant is Bill Point, in the Creosote neighborhood.

    Most of the Superfund property is already park. The former plant itself is fenced so people do not walk onto contaminated soil. EPA and the Washington Department of Ecology say to stay off East Beach and North Shoal — those beaches still have creosote. The perimeter wall around the plant is being replaced, so more of the point is closed during construction. Check EPA’s Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor page for what is open this week. The City and the Park District own the land. When cleanup is done, the plan is a public park with beach access.

    Creosote is the oily chemical used on railroad ties, utility poles, and pier pilings. It smells like tar. Rain that pools on the cap is still on a Superfund site, not a swimming hole.

    It is not a walk from Winslow or the ferry. South side of the harbor, about ten minutes by car. Drive, BI Ride, a taxi, or skip it. If you walked on from Seattle, see Getting around.

    Official status: EPA’s site overview and Ecology’s cleanup listing. Construction closures: EPA’s closure map.

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