PORT ANGELES — Clallam County commissioners have vetted a $57,500 grant application to the state Recreation and Conservation Office for day-use beach access and a wildlife viewing area in an existing county right of way along the Sekiu shoreline.
If approved, the county would be responsible for a 50 percent match.
The pedestrian rest area would become the only public access to the Sekiu shoreline.
“It would be a great addition to that community,” said Clallam County Parks, Fair and Facilities Manager Joel Winborn, while pitching the grant during the commissioners’ work session Monday.
The three commissioners will consider authorizing the grant application today.
The deadline is May 1.
In the future, the county plans to build kiosks with interpretive signs, a birding platform and seating for the rest area.
According to a grant questionnaire, the project would “enhance the aesthetics of the Sekiu shoreline and provide additional tourism opportunities and services.”
Winborn said future maintenance of the area would need to be discussed.
Commissioner Mike Doherty, whose West End district includes Sekiu, said the viewing area would be located near Commercial Street.
“For a couple years, the [Clallam Bay-Sekiu] chamber, the community advisory council and some business have been asking: Can they turn this right of way into a little park with some benches, some art and whatever?” Doherty said.
In 2009, a grant-funded team of graduate architecture students from the University of Washington produced “some pretty good drawings” of the park, Doherty said.
If the state grant is approved, the project would be added to the county’s 2013 capital or real estate excise tax projects request.
Commissioners today also will consider two agreements for 2,740 square feet of easement for culvert improvements along Fuhrman Road on the West End of the county near Bogachiel State Park near Forks.
The cost of the easement would be $878.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rob.ollikainen@
peninsuladailynews.com.
