Hladky Park (commonly known as "Whale Bell Park")
1905 -1921: "Tourist Park" A large hotel was constructed about 1904 on the N.W. corner of the intersection of First Street and Anthes Avenue. It served the community for two decades under different names until it burned in 1921.
Circa 1906. Hotel Langley.
It had a “Tourist Park” at the foot of Anthes Avenue with trees and benches on the lawn behind it.
1908. Tourist Park behind hotel (Courtesy Island County Historical Society).
1950's: Bus waiting station.
A small waiting station for the bus that traversed the length of Whidbey Island in the 1950's and '60's was located on the site of the future Whale Bell Park between the Post office and Dog House Tavern.
1957. Bus waiting station between Post Office and Dog House Tavern (Courtesy Darrell Corbin).
1957. Bus waiting station (Courtesy Darrell Corbin).
1992: Hladky Park dedicated
2004. Hladky Park (Courtesy Robert Waterman).
After removal of the bus waiting station, the space between the Former Post Office and Dog House Tavern became a public park named for Tom Hladky, former Public Works and Building Inspector who died in 1989.
1988. Tom Hladky (Courtesy Langley City Hall).
Plaque at Hladky Park (Courtesy Robert Waterman)
2016. Hladky Park (Courtesy Robert Waterman)
A metal railing, stairs, and other amenities were added in 2008 to replace the original wooden railing.
Whale Bell
2014. Whale Bell (Courtesy Robert Waterman).
The upper portion of the Park bordering First Street became known as "Whale Bell Park" when a bell which can be rung to announce the presence of whales in Saratoga Passage was placed there.
In 2020, a bronze sculpture of a grey whale by Georgia Gerber was placed in the park. It was a “Wishing Whale” named “Hope”, with a slot at the blowhole for people to make donations.
2020. Whale in place. Georgia Gerber 4th from left (Courtesy Donna Christiansen).
2020. Whale with walkway (Courtesy Robert Waterman).
An informational plaque about the sculpture was placed near the whale.
2020. Informational plaque (Courtesy Robert Waterman).