AGNEW – As eastern Clallam County sprouts subdivisions like Scotch broom in the spring, 195 acres of pasture and forest become increasingly precious.
Robin Hill Farm County Park offers hikes, bike trips and horseback rides through woods and pastures midway between Port Angeles and Sequim.
Clallam County commissioners bought the tract 10 years ago and probably can be forgiven for some self-satisfaction for preserving an oasis in an area under heavy development pressure.
Robert McCool donated half its property value to the county in the sale after he ceased hobby-farming Christmas trees on the site.
The county added 40 more acres in a land swap with the state Department of Natural Resources.
For a time, the Washington State University Extension managed the farm operation. The pasture now is rented for raising cattle.
The National Park Service also uses the site to propagate native plants it will transplant along the Elwha River after lakes Aldwell and Mills are drained when the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams are removed.
