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Paradise Valley lies in the heart of Vashon Island with the distinctive feature of Judd Creek, one of two major salmon-bearing creeks on the Island, running through its length. The valley contains the convergence of the east and west forks of Judd Creek, as well as a number of year-round feeder creeks and wetlands. The soils in the watershed provide the highest level of recharge to Vashon’s drinking water aquifer. Paradise Valley was the second site homesteaded on Vashon. NEXT
The stretch of Judd Creek running through the heart of Paradise Valley is prime spawning territory for Vashon’s most dependable and productive runs of Coho and chum salmon. Coho salmon are a candidate species for listing on both the federal and state Endangered Species Lists. Historically, salmon have spawned in Judd Creek as high as Singer Farm just south of Cemetery Road. The main spawning territory runs from Singer Farm down to where 216th Street intersects 111th Avenue. Coho salmon have been shown to be extremely sensitive to development; spawning effectiveness begins to drop when 5% of the watershed is made impervious (roofs and pavement). The Judd Creek watershed is currently estimated at 2.2% impervious, making it an excellent candidate for preserving this salmon run. NEXT
Paradise Valley is a wonderful birding area, catering to many resident bird species as well as being a populur stop-over area for dozens of migratory songbird species. The combination of pastures-turned-meadows, which harken to the agricultural history of the region in the early homesteading days, and the wooded zones buffering Judd Creek provide habitat "edges" that attract many species of birds. Recent bird sightings have included three fledgling barred owls and the first dipper sighted on Judd Creek in several years. NEXT
The headwaters of Judd Creek are located mid-isle in the protected Island Center Forest (see ICF Preserve page). Protection of Judd Creek presents the opportunity to preserve the only documented occurrence of the Western pearlshell mussel on Vashon or Maury. This native freshwater mussel requires excellent water quality to survive – making it the “canary in the coal mine” for western streams. The pearlshell mussel requires the presence of spawning salmon to live. In the larval stage, the mussel hitches a ride upstream attached to the gills of salmon. Without the salmon, the mussels are continually pushed downstream by the force of water until they are flushed entirely from the watershed. Keeping Judd Creek healthy will also protect water quality downstream and in Quartermaster Harbor by preventing runoff of fertilizers and animal waste. Judd Creek is the largest tributary to Quartermaster Harbor, which is known to suffer from some of the worst water quality in Central Puget Sound. NEXT
Type: Land Trust and King County Ownership
Years Acquired: 2004 to 2011
Acres: 80
Paradise Valley runs north-south down the center of Vashon Island. It is defined by containing Judd Creek, one of Vashon’s two major salmon-bearing creeks, which starts at its headwaters in Island Center Forest and flows south until it drains into Quartermaster Harbor. Judd Creek hosts both Coho and chum salmon, as well as cutthroat trout and the native freshwater Western pearlshell mussel. Paradise Valley is also historically significant as the second-oldest homestead site on Vashon, when it was opened up as pasture land for the early settlers’ livestock. It retains its rural feel, as an area of the island still populated with grazing animals as well as large swaths of open meadow bordered by wooded buffer zones along the creek.
Paradise Valley provides excellent habitat for a wide array of both resident and migratory bird species and this watershed contains the best soils for high-level recharge to the island’s drinking water aquifer.
Access/Activity Info: While the Paradise Valley Preserve is open to the public, there is currently no maintained trail to access the area. We hope in the future to develop a trail through Paradise Valley connecting the Burton Recreational Center (the old Burton school grounds) to Island Center Forest.
