A Community's Gift to the Island
In 1949, the South Camano Grange 930 organized what would become one of the most remarkable community efforts in Washington State history. Hundreds of volunteers — Grange members, local families, fishermen, loggers, and farmers — came together for a single extraordinary day to transform a stretch of wild, overgrown shoreline into a public park.
The project, known simply as "Park in a Day," was the brainchild of Grange members who believed that the island's stunning natural beauty should be preserved and accessible to everyone, not just those who owned waterfront property. At a time when Camano Island was still largely rural and its residents depended on each other for everything from barn raisings to road clearing, the idea of building a park in a single day felt entirely possible.
"United by the strong and faithful tie of Agriculture, we mutually resolve to labor for the good of our Order."
— The Declaration of Purposes of the National Grange, officially adopted at the St. Louis Session (1874)
The only park in the state of Washington with the "A Community Initiated and Supported Park" sign, and it all started at South Camano Grange 930!
The Day That Changed the Island
On the morning of the project, volunteers arrived before dawn. Armed with hand tools, wheelbarrows, and a shared determination, they cleared brush, built trails, constructed picnic shelters, and shaped the landscape into a welcoming gathering place. Families brought food to share, children helped where they could, and by sunset the foundation of a park had taken shape.
The effort did not go unnoticed. The State of Washington recognized the extraordinary community investment, and the land was eventually designated as Camano Island State Park — a 134-acre treasure of old-growth forest, rocky beaches, and sweeping views of Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains.
A Living Legacy
South Camano Grange 930 is established, bringing together island farmers and families in the tradition of the Patrons of Husbandry.
The legendary "Park in a Day" project transforms wild shoreline into a community park through the labor of hundreds of volunteers organized by the Grange.
Washington State recognizes the community's contribution and designates the land as Camano Island State Park, ensuring permanent public access.
Camano Island State Park welcomes over 100,000 visitors annually. The Grange continues to serve the community through events, service projects, and the same spirit of neighborly cooperation that built the park.
Today, Camano Island State Park is one of the most beloved parks in the region, offering camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, and some of the most beautiful shoreline in the Puget Sound. Every trail walked and every sunset watched from its beaches is a testament to what a community can accomplish when it comes together.
The South Camano Grange remains proud stewards of this legacy. The "Park in a Day" story isn't just history — it's a reminder that the Grange tradition of collective action is as vital today as it was in 1949.