ABOUT EDMONDS

                                               
Waves lapping the sandy shore, the deep bellow of a ferry horn, children laughing as they wade in the waters of Puget Sound, the call of seagulls gliding overhead - - these are the sounds of Edmonds. The bright colors of hanging flower baskets, the ever-changing blues of the Sound, and the vivid purples and pinks of the sun setting behind the snowy peaks of the Olympic Mountains - - these are the sights of Edmonds. Unique shops, public parks and beaches filled with families at play, an array of visual and performing arts - - this is the charm of Edmonds. Combine the sounds, the sights, and the charm and you have “An Edmonds Kind of Day.”

“An Edmonds Kind of Day” is the slogan that encompasses the splendor of our town, creates an image of breath-taking views and small-town ambience, and brings to mind a welcoming community filled with friendly people. But an Edmonds kind of day is so much more . . . .

One of Washington State’s most picturesque waterfront communities, Edmonds is located a short distance north of Seattle. Established as a logging camp over one hundred years ago, the city is now home to 40,000 residents, making it the second-largest city in Snohomish County. Edmonds is a great place to live, visit, and work. For nine consecutive years, it held the title of “friendliest town in Western Washington” bestowed by the viewers of KING5 TV.

Edmonds affords residents and visitors alike an appealing small-town quality-of-life along with many of the amenities found in a larger city. This translates into a friendly, comfortable lifestyle where residents can enjoy outdoor activities, visual and performing arts, diverse restaurants, specialty shops, and more.

Regionally, Edmonds is known as an active arts community where the visual, performing, and literary arts can be enjoyed throughout the year. Edmonds is home to a ballet company, regional symphony, youth orchestra, two theater groups, dance schools, numerous arts organizations, and a nationally known writers’ conference. Patrons can enjoy intimate theater venues, summer concerts in the park, the City’s Public Art Collection, exhibit areas, and monthly downtown art walks which showcase the visual arts.  The Edmonds Center for the Arts hosts many professional performances and events. The building, which initially served as the community’s first high school, represents one of the finest examples of the Arte Moderne architectural style in the state and is listed on the Washington Heritage Register.    

The City’s downtown waterfront features a chain of scenic and serene parks, including Brackett’s Landing North; Brackett’s Landing South; Olympic Beach honoring Edmonds’ Olympians; and Marina Beach. Each park has picnic areas, interpretive information, public waterfront walkways that display artwork by prominent Northwest artists, and access to sandy beaches.  All four waterfront parks frame the spectacular panorama of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound, from Mount Rainier north to Mount Baker. The Edmonds Underwater Park, which is also a marine sanctuary and popular destination of scuba divers, is located adjacent to Brackett’s Landing North.

The Port of Edmonds provides the setting for many leisure and business activities. A marina provides open and covered moorage, dry storage for over 1,000 boats, and serves as a destination for over 50,000 boaters and visitors each year. First-class restaurants known for their seafood cuisine and breathtaking views are located within the Port’s commercial area. An adjacent business park features a full-service hotel, conference center, and premier athletic/tennis club. The marina, with its beautifully landscaped grounds and wonderful views, proudly upholds its title as the “best marina” in Western Washington. A one-half-mile-long boardwalk along the marina connects Olympic Beach and Marina Beach Parks. Just east of the Port, 23 saltwater acres of the Edmonds Marsh has been designated a key viewing site on the Audubon Birding Trail. 

The face of Edmonds changes playfully with the seasons. Hanging flower baskets burst with color-- a sure sign that summer has arrived in Edmonds. The City’s floral displays and street corner parks flourish in Edmonds’ mild marine climate suitable for a broad range of ornamental plants. Visitors and residents look forward to the annual Edmonds in Bloom floral displays that herald the arrival of community fairs and festivals. Each year, hundreds of thousands of visitors attend such events as the Edmonds Jazz Connection; the Waterfront Festival; the Edmonds Arts Festival (second-largest juried art show in the state); an old-fashioned Fourth of July complete with a parade and fireworks show; A Taste of Edmonds, Snohomish County’s largest festival; and Hot Autumn Nites classic car show. Each Saturday from May through September, the downtown Summer Market provides an opportunity to purchase fresh produce, specialty foods, fragrant flower bouquets, and unique arts and crafts. In the fall, downtown merchants provide a family-fun trick-or-treating experience on Halloween, and hand out candy to thousands of children. The year ends with a multitude of lights dazzling the downtown area as the holiday season kicks into gear with caroling, hot cider, and treats to help make the season bright.

The community supports a high quality of life --- excellent schools through the Edmonds School District, comprehensive healthcare through Stevens Hospital and associated services, and facilities for a wide variety of recreational activities.  Facilities include a public fishing pier, a recreation center, a senior center, an outdoor swimming pool, movie theater, and numerous parks and sports fields.

With growing tourism interest, visitors help nurture the healthy business districts. Edmonds is a model of strong, stable economic growth where the old and the new mesh beautifully. From a thriving international district along Highway 99 to the downtown waterfront area filled with antique shops, specialty boutiques, and restaurants, the city attracts visitors from many parts of the world.

Edmonds serves as a hub for a variety of transportation modes.  Excellent mass transit service such as Sounder Commuter Rail, Amtrak, Washington State Ferries, and Community Transit buses make stops near the waterfront. Sounder Commuter Rail allows commuters to travel between Everett and Seattle.  Frequent ferry service between Edmonds to Kingston provides easy access to Hood Canal and the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas. State Route 104 and 524 also provide convenient access to and from Interstate 5.

To enhance the community culturally, the Sister City Commission promotes international communication and understanding through exchanges of students, teachers and citizens, ideas, and culture. Since establishing a sister city relationship with Hekinan, Japan in 1988, hundreds of citizens have participated in intercontinental cultural exchanges.

All in all, the stunning beauty, breath-taking views, a myriad of indoor and outdoor activities, attract visitors and residents alike to spend their time in Edmonds. Come and enjoy the sights, sounds and charm of  “An Edmonds Kind of Day.”