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Volunteer Appreciation 2025: Plein Air Painting @ Meadowdale Beach Park

Day Work Party

Sat Nov 8, 2025: 10:00 AM — 2:00 PM

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Region

Puget Sound and Islands — Seattle-Tacoma Area

Features: Bring your family!, Special Event

Crew Leader: Brandon Tigner

Overview

Volunteers, thank you for another amazing year. This event is part of our Volunteer Appreciation Week. If you’ve ever volunteered with WTA (or would like to), this event is for you!

With the outdoors as your inspiration, join us for a creative art session at beautiful Meadoweale Beach Park with artist Shelby Pothier!

About the Area

This is a great all-season hike featuring beautiful mature second growth forest and – in the summer - beach access. Hike down a lushly forested ravine with a babbling creek, home to many species of salmon and trout. Follow the creek to its estuary as it empties into Puget Sound.

What to Expect

We'll have fun, work hard and make a difference! No experience is necessary.

Project Description

The Plein Air Painting movement was created by artists who enjoy using the outdoors for inspiration. Learn more about this movement, and be inspired by beautiful Meadowdale Beach Park to create your own art.

The key is to let whatever you are observing inspire you in some way.

WTA will provide some watercolor art supplies to support your work.

We'll be out on the trail for the day, so bring any beverages and snacks you may need. Also, consider bringing a chair you can hike with if you'd like to sit while creating your masterpiece.

Hiking Information

Our hike to the project site is expected to be less than 1 mile round-trip.

Schedule

  • 10:00 AM: Park at the Meadowdale lower parking lot, walk as a group to the beach. Be ready to sign in and meet the crew, rain or shine
  • 10:30 AM Gather for an introduction to the Plein Air Painting from artist Shelpy Pothier
  • 11:00-13:00 Paint, draw, sketch
  • 13:30-14:00 Hike back down to vehicles and goodbyes
  • For safety reasons, arriving late or leaving early is not allowed.

Special Event

Light snacks and beverages will be provided. When registering for the work party please make note of any dietary restrictions in the comments section and we'll do our best to accommodate.

Planning Information

Get ready for a great day outside!

What it Takes to Do This Work Party

  • No experience is necessary—just bring a great attitude for working with a team! WTA provides the training and tools you need
  • Expect to be physically active at your own pace for up to 6 hours on uneven terrain
  • Recommended for ages 10 and older; under 14 must be accompanied by an adult and a parental consent form must be signed for anyone under 18

What to Wear

For this event you'll need whatever you'll be most comfortable hiking and standing/sitting around in while outdoors.


What to Bring

We will provide some basic paints/painting materials. Feel free to bring your own if you have them.

  • A chair or pad to sit on while painting
  • Lunch and plenty of water
  • Rain jacket and pants
  • Extra warm clothing in case of wet or cold weather
  • A pack to carry your personal gear
  • A sense of fun and adventure for learning new skills and meeting great people!

Firearms and weapons are not allowed.

More Information

From the Hiking Guide

See what WTA's hiking guide and trip reports say about this area.

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Partners

Directions

From I-5, take exit 183 to 164th St SW, going west for about 1.3 miles. Continue on the main thoroughfare as it bears left and becomes 44th Ave W, while 164th St SW forks to the right as a minor street. After another 0.4 miles, at a traffic light, turn right onto 168th St SW and continue west. Go straight across Route 99, then after less than 0.5 mile, turn right on 52nd Ave W at a gas station. Go 0.5 miles, then turn left on 160th St SW where you will see a brown sign on the right, pointing left for “Meadowdale County Park”. Follow these brown signs at each of the next junctions: go 0.25 miles, then turn right on 56th Ave W. Go 0.25 miles, then go left on 156th St SW.

The parking lot can hold about 30 cars and is often full even on winter weekends and summer weekdays. Usually it is possible to find a parking spot in nearby streets - make sure to park where it is permitted. There are portapotties both at the trailhead and 1.25 miles down the trail at the picnic site.

Note: Please follow the written directions above instead of using a GPS device. This will ensure that you get to the correct meeting location for this work party. The location of the pinpoint below is only approximate.

Getting to WTA work parties can involve travel on rough, unpaved roads in areas without cellular service and without street addresses that can be accurately used by navigation devices. Unless specifically noted otherwise, routes can generally be traveled by all types of vehicles. Volunteers with limited experience driving on unpaved mountain roads may want to allow extra time, beyond what is recommended in the directions above, to get to the meeting location.

Required Documentation

You must be part of this crew and have a My Backpack account to see the Crew Corner.

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