Inspiration Point

Inspiration Point is a Vashon Park District (VPD) property located along the Vashon Highway south of the town of Burton. It is a 0.9 acre viewpoint overlooking Quartermaster Harbor, Dockton, Mt. Rainier, and the East Passage from 381 feet above sea level.

With island road development, the point was made accessible to islanders in 1934, but was largely undeveloped until the late 1950s. The Vashon Chamber of Commerce formed a committee led by Bill Beymer and architect Keith Putnam to develop a plan for a landscaped parking area to enjoy the views. In September of 1958, more than fifty volunteers organized to clear the site, landscape and build a rock wall, with people from all over the island contributing rocks from their properties. The view then was quite inspirational.

Over time, the view was obscured by trees and became less than inspirational. In March of 2023, members of the South End Community Club worked as volunteers to weed and clean up the landscaped areas of the park. They also started to work with the VPD and the Vashon Parks Foundation to develop a plan to raise funds to hire a forester to reopen view corridors. This work was done in December of 2024.

Now, the Vashon Parks Foundation has applied to the King County 4-Culture Grant Program for a local history grant.  If this grant is received, VPD will install four interpretive panels designed by Bruce Haulman, Island historian, and Sandra Noel, illustrator, explaining the history of the views. The Foundation is also continuing to raise funds for another round of forestry work to further clean up the view corridors, especially looking towards Tacoma.

Together the VPD, the Vashon Parks Foundation and community members will continue to improve the views at this special park property. Please donate today!