PORT ANGELES — There’s a new public access point on Lake Crescent.
Clallam County commissioners Tuesday authorized the acquisition of a 1.2-acre parcel on the southwest shore of the iconic lake at Eagle Point off U.S. Highway 101 about a mile east of Fairholme.
A private landowner donated the $43,725 parcel to the county to be used for public access. There are no deed restrictions or limitations associated with the transfer, county Parks, Fair and Facilities Director Joel Winborn said.
The county Park and Recreation Board voted unanimously to recommend the property acquisition July 1.
“Park staff also believes this would be a welcome addition to our park system and would increase opportunities for users to access this incredible lake,” Winborn said Tuesday.
“I just think it’s a great opportunity.”
The parcel will remain undeveloped except for perhaps a picnic table and an opening through the existing guardrail.
Winborn said there is enough room for about four vehicles to park at the access point, where people can now take pictures, swim or launch a kayak without trespassing.
“I think it’s a great piece of property,” said Commissioner Mike Chapman, who expressed his thanks to the property owner.
Chapman and Commissioner Bill Peach voted to authorize the land transfer after a short public hearing Tuesday.
Commissioner Jim McEntire was absent because he was participating in a state Board of Natural Resources meeting in Olympia.
McEntire was supportive of the property acquisition when it was discussed in a Sept. 21 board work session.
The property is part of an estate in which the heir has no ties to the area. The family trust agreed to pay any back taxes prior to the transfer, Winborn said.
Surrounded by park
The property is surrounded by Olympic National Park, as is Clallam County-owned Camp David Jr. on the north side of the lake.
“The park has no issues or requires any paperwork for this acquisition,” Winborn said.
Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kristina Nelson-Gross said the park will be simply an adjacent property owner.
“There are no ties to the park unless this board would choose to make them,” Nelson-Gross told commissioners.
Said Chapman: “I think we’ll just keep it simple.”
Public access to freshwater and saltwater is the top priority in the county’s parks and recreation master plan and a long-standing directive of the Board of County Commissioners.
Meanwhile, commissioners Monday discussed a request from the Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center, known by the acronym SARC, to consider funding a portion of a $36,000 feasibility study.
The study would look at a possible partnership between the center and the Olympic Peninsula YMCA, which would manage the exercise facility.
County Administrator Jim Jones said the county has about $8,000 available in miscellaneous funds.
Commissioners agreed, without a vote, that they would match a donation from the city of Sequim up to $6,000. The Sequim City Council tabled action on a request to contribute until a meeting Monday.
“I would very much like for the county to participate in this thing,” McEntire said.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
