SEKIU — When some residents of the tiny towns of Clallam Bay and Sekiu consider state property along the Hoko River, they see ball fields, tennis courts, hiking trails, a golf course and a working farm.
They also see a draw for tourists that could add needed dollars to the waning local economy.
With this vision, local residents and business owners are lobbying Washington State Parks to develop a master plan and put money toward the Hoko River/Cowan Ranch Area for recreational development.
The state-owned area, which includes parcels north and south of state Highway 112 near the Hoko River, is near the top of State Parks’ northwest region priority list for development, second only to property on the Miller Peninsula east of Sequim, said Ted Smith, assistant regional manager for resource stewardship.
The property, like all state parks, will eventually go through a classification and management plan.
But Sekiu and Clallam Bay residents want to get the ball rolling soon.
“There’s lots of good ideas, but until this park is selected for the process, none of those ideas are going to manifest,” Sekiu resident Pat Ness said.
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