FOR IMMEDIAT E RE L EAS E
May 6, 2021
CONTAC T
Julio Cortes, senior communications officer, 425-320-9147
EVERETT, Wash. – Through partnership between the City of Everett, Port of Everett and Snohomish County, the City’s Jetty Island Days program is making a comeback in 2021 while ensuring state COVID19 safety protocols are followed on the ferry used to transport visitors to and from the island.
The ferry will operate starting Monday, July 5 and then from Wednesday, July 7 through Labor Day. The ferry operates five days a week (Wednesday through Sunday). Ferry service is available between 10 a.m. and 7:45 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and between 11 a.m. and 6:45 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
New to the program is an online reservation system for island-goers to secure their spot on the ferry in advance. Previously, ferry transport was available on a first come, first-served basis, with no assurance of catching a ride. The new reservation system will reduce crowding at the ferry landing and help track the number of people on the ferry to ensure alignment with current state COVID-19 safety guidance.
The cost of providing transportation to the island will be partially offset by a nominal passenger fee of $3 per person; children aged 2 and under are free. Reservations are scheduled to open June 15 at www.visiteverett.com/jetty.
“Jetty Island is truly one of the hidden gems of the Pacific Northwest,” said Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin. “We are excited to be able to bring summer ferry service back to our residents and visitors again, and are working to ensure a safe, efficient and affordable experience for all to enjoy. We thank our partners at the Port of Everett and Snohomish County for helping make this possible.”
While ferry fees will not cover the cost of the Jetty Island Days program, it does provide a mechanism to support continuation and financial sustainability of the program in the long term. The City and County intend to partner with local non-profit organizations to connect underserved groups in the community with free ferry tickets.
“Jetty Island Days is a beloved and long-standing community program, and I’m proud our organizations could come together in these uncertain times to restore ferry access and recreational programming to the Port’s island, while also adding efficiency and reliability for island-goers with the new reservation system,” said Lisa Lefeber, Port of Everett CEO. “Jetty Island is the Port of Everett’s largest public access amenity and we are pleased the community will once again have the opportunity to get out there and
enjoy it.”
To further support the program, the Port has offered a reduction in parking rates at Jetty Landing near the ferry dock for Jetty Island visitors that opt to park on-site while on the island. Parking can be prepurchased via a link provided at the time of ferry reservation for $2 per vehicle for up to an 8-hour period.
"Snohomish County is excited to partner with the City of Everett and the Port of Everett to provide ferry service to Jetty Island this summer. The county will be responsible for the online reservation system for the ferry,” said Tom Teigen, director of Snohomish County Conservation and Natural Resources. “The reservation system is vital for responsible and safe travel this summer and will provide ease of mind for families looking for a great local outing, without the crowds. Since Jetty Island is such a unique Puget Sound treasure, we want to ensure a sustainable reservation system both to protect the capacity of the site and to enhance user experience.”
Snohomish County is currently in Phase 3 of the Governor’s Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery plan, which allows up to 50% capacity on the ferry (30 passengers). In the event that COVID-19 restrictions are tightened, the City and partners will reassess moving forward/continuation of this program in 2021.
More information about Jetty Island can be found at visiteverett.com/jetty
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