Community Voices Make a Difference for Westport Light State Park

The effort to protect Westport Light State Park gained significant momentum in October, as community members turned out in force to oppose it and Washington State Parks commissioners expressed serious concerns about the proposed golf course.

At the October 19 public hearing at Aberdeen High School, more than 80 people testified, with about ~65 percent speaking out against the proposal. Local retirees, surfers, bird watchers, and conservation advocates shared what this park means to them, and why replacing this unique public space and critical coastal habitat with a commercial golf course would do more harm than good. We were stoked to have all six Washington Surfrider chapters in attendance, both in person and virtually, providing top-notch comments about why we should keep Westport wild. You can watch the October 19th public comments here

The meeting coincided with the publication of a Seattle Times article that elevated this issue on a statewide level. 

When the Commission reconvened on October 21, presentations from State Parks staff and the Department of Ecology raised serious concerns about the proposal’s consistency with park policies and wetland protections. Commissioners questioned the scale of wetland loss, the adequacy of proposed mitigation, and whether the project would deliver the benefits promised to Westport.

Commissioners also recognized the groundswell of opposition from statewide organizations and the public, including compelling testimony from Westport residents. Their discussion signaled strong opposition to moving forward and called for a final vote on November 18.

This is encouraging progress, but the work isn’t finished. Surfrider will continue advocating for a future that protects the park’s wetlands, beach access, and recreation opportunities for everyone.

We hope the Commission rejects this proposal and opens the door to a new conversation about the park’s future. Surfrider is committed to working with State Parks, Westport residents, and community partners to identify lower-impact opportunities that protect what makes this place special while improving access and recreation. Together, we can find creative ways to protect the park and benefit the City of Westport and all Washingtonians, without risking what we already have. 

Thank you to everyone who testified, submitted comments, shared the campaign, or showed up. Your voices continue to make a difference! 

Take action: Before the November 18th Commission meeting, submit a public comment to the State Parks Commission (select "Westport Light" under the planning project dropdown) and urge commissioners to reject the Westport Golf Links proposal. Tell them why protecting public beach access, wetlands, and recreation matters to you—and ask them to pursue lower-impact opportunities that benefit Westport and all Washingtonians.

You can find more info, including talking points, ways to donate to the legal fund, and more at our Keep Westport Wild landing page.