PORT ANGELES — The Valley Creek Estuary Park has received the Washington Recreation & Park Association’s annual Award of Excellence.
“The significance of the project was the transformation from a long-term industrial use site to a showcase of environmental restoration and recreation enhancement,” said Brit Kramer, executive director for the park association.
The home to birds, native plants and fish, the 2.6-acre estuary was dedicated as a city park last year. It is located along the western end of Front Street.
Kramer said committee members cited three reasons for selecting Estuary Park over 10 other parks for the annual award:
* The project restored an intertidal marine estuary.
* It returned public access to a key piece of city shoreline.
* The estuary provided a much-needed buffer between downtown Port Angeles and the city’s industrial zone.
