Giant clam “shows” in Ocean Shores

After years out of sight, a giant razor clam is showing in Ocean Shores.

The 1,500-pound wooden bivalve stands in a newly created pocket park near the Chance A La Mer beach entrance and the start of the High Dune Trail.

The small park, which includes the clam carving, along with a new bench and plaque dedicated to veterans, was unveiled Wednesday afternoon by the city of Ocean Shores and the Sons of the American Revolution during the group’s “Patriot Week.”

Ocean Shores Mayor Frank Elduen said the park will be a “place of pride for the city of Ocean Shores” and commemorate veterans.

“We’re all thankful for the sacrifices that our veterans have made, and we have all benefited from those sacrifices,” he said. “This park was built by people who didn’t care who got credit. They only wanted to make Ocean Shores a better place.”

That work happened over about two weeks, said the city’s project manager Becky Leach. She led a team of two groups, the Defenders of the Coast, a community volunteer group, and the Ocean Shores VFW Post 8956 to build the park.

Walkers entering the city’s newest amenity, the High Dune Trail, or driving to the beach will be able to admire the large wooden clam, which volunteers coated with a weather resistant seal.

The clam is the creation of local wood carver Anthony Robinson, who runs a shop called Native Beach Art and is also responsible for the large wooden whale sculpture inside the Ocean Shores Convention Center, which city officials said will soon become the centerpiece of the city’s roundabout.

The city first acquired the clam a handful of years ago and was gearing up to unveil it during a 50-year anniversary celebration. But that never happened after the pandemic hit.

For four years the clam has been sitting in storage at the city’s public works yard.

City Administrator Scott Andersen said the sculpture will help the city celebrate its clamming heritage and could be a key piece in the push to make Ocean Shores the razor clam capital of the world.

“We’ve been waiting for an opportunity to find some place to put it,” he said.

The clam’s unveiling also resurrects one of Ocean Shores’ mysteries, a story that led the city to bolt the clam firmly into the ground.

More than 50 years ago, the last one was stolen.

At least, that’s the theory.

“Many years ago, it vanished off the face of the earth,” said Ocean Shores City Administrator Scott Andersen. “It’s never been found.”

Contact reporter Clayton Franke at 406-552-3917 or clayton.franke@thedailyworld.com.