The Whispering Pines Story...
Thunderbird Mobile Home Park opened more than 25 years ago and has grown up over the years into a 55-site, resident-owned, manufactured home community. But that transition didn't happen overnight. We began the move toward controlling our own destiny in 2013. That's when, with the help of the Northwest Cooperative Development Center and ROC USA, LLC, we formed Whispering Pines Cooperative that would, on November 26, 2013, purchase and take control of our community.
Now, Whispering Pines Cooperative is not only a successful business, but also a thriving neighborhood. The process of buying the land beneath our homes brought this community closer together. Not only do we know far more of our neighbors than ever before, but we look out for one another, too. And with no outside landlord to report to, we're the envy of other nearby manufactured home communities.
Our member households elect our board of directors which, with the help of member volunteers, implements special projects, celebrations, community improvements and more. The board submits a budget every year, and the entire membership votes on it and any changes to the rent before the budget becomes official. We're running the multi-million dollar business that is our community, on our terms, by our rules, for the betterment of ourselves and our neighbors.
Deception Pass Bridge.
And Whispering Pines couldn't be better situated. Oak Harbor is a beautiful waterfront community nestled on the western edge of Whibley Island. With Puget Sound, Olympic National Park, Mount Baker and the North Cascades in our area, there are few communities that can offer the breathtaking views we enjoy every day. Downtown Oak Harbor offers eateries, markets, parades, festivals and activities for all ages. Our schools are less than 10 minutes from home, with school bus pick-up right at our entrance, and a variety of grocery and discount stores just a short drive away.
Oak Harbor is also home to Deception Pass State Park with more than 4,000 acres of wildlife, beauty and endless recreational opportunities. Deception Pass has a sprawling salt water shoreline, as well as three fresh-water lakes. This park is a perfect playground for the outdoor enthusiast, with boating, fishing, swimming, as well as trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and plenty of camping. When you live here at Whispering Pines, your weekends can be full of exploration. Have friends or family coming in for the weekend, visit one of the local tour companies for a relaxing scenic tour or whale watching adventure!
Oak Harbor is also home to Deception Pass State Park with more than 4,000 acres of wildlife, beauty and endless recreational opportunities. Deception Pass has a sprawling salt water shoreline, as well as three fresh-water lakes. This park is a perfect playground for the outdoor enthusiast, with boating, fishing, swimming, as well as trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and plenty of camping. When you live here at Whispering Pines, your weekends can be full of exploration. Have friends or family coming in for the weekend, visit one of the local tour companies for a relaxing scenic tour or whale watching adventure!
Oak Harbor also offers a number of family activities and festivals. Each Labor Day, thousands come together for the Oak Harbor Music Festival. This weekend event presents dozens of bands and musicians, where variety is the name of the game – dance from stage-to-stage and enjoy the array of food, refreshments and fantastic music. Proceeds are used in part, to provide college scholarships to our Oak Harbor High School seniors.
Is catching a movie more your style? The Blue Fox Drive-In is a wonderful venue to enjoy a new movie in old-time style. The Blue Fox also has go-karts and an arcade. Or if you're a history buff, a visit to the Naval Air Museum or the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island is in order.
While Oak Harbor is a quaint island community, the larger urban areas such as Mt. Vernon (40 minutes) and Seattle (less than 2 hours) are still easily accessible.
Since we voted to purchase our community in 2013, we have worked hard to improve it. We've made road repairs and added landscaping throughout the park. We also plan community events, like spring clean up days, a Harvest Festival, our annual meeting and holiday gatherings.
Ask anyone who lives in Whispering Pines, and we're sure they'll tell you it's a little slice of heaven.
Is catching a movie more your style? The Blue Fox Drive-In is a wonderful venue to enjoy a new movie in old-time style. The Blue Fox also has go-karts and an arcade. Or if you're a history buff, a visit to the Naval Air Museum or the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island is in order.
While Oak Harbor is a quaint island community, the larger urban areas such as Mt. Vernon (40 minutes) and Seattle (less than 2 hours) are still easily accessible.
Since we voted to purchase our community in 2013, we have worked hard to improve it. We've made road repairs and added landscaping throughout the park. We also plan community events, like spring clean up days, a Harvest Festival, our annual meeting and holiday gatherings.
Ask anyone who lives in Whispering Pines, and we're sure they'll tell you it's a little slice of heaven.
