Clallam County to takeover Clallam Bay park

State began process in November 2020

CLALLAM BAY — The state Parks and Recreation Commission is transferring Clallam Bay State Park to Clallam County.

The commissioners will formally consider the transfer at their regular meeting at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the commissioners’ meeting room at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St. in Port Angeles.

The hybrid meetings also can be viewed online at www.clallam.net/features/meetings.html. To participate via Zoom video, visit https://zoom.us/j/875561784. To listen only, call 253-2125-8782 then enter meeting ID 875 561 7844 and passcode 12345.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The parks and recreation commission authorized the transfer at its Nov. 19, 2020, meeting in Tumwater.

Don Crawford, Clallam County Parks, Fair and Facilities Director, wrote in an email that the state began the process because the property was inadequate for the state’s purposes and deed restrictions required continued park use.

“I can’t speak to the process’s lengthiness, but we are hopeful it will conclude in the next several weeks,” he wrote.

He added that the acquisition was part of an ongoing effort “to further consolidate county park property for a cohesive recreation area that will generate tourism and related economic development.”

The park, also known as Clallam Bay Spit County Park, totals 33 acres and borders the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It includes access to Clallam Spit and the Clallam River, a picnic area and a full-service restroom.

Crawford wrote that acquisition of the property reduces the fragmentation of county-owned beaches and tideland in the area, as encouraged in the county’s comprehensive park and recreation master plan.

The commissioners’ resolution states: “The park is situated where the nutrient-rich water of the Clallam River empties into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, providing a constant food source for shore and birds including eagles, osprey.

“The dynamic hydrological interaction between the Clallam River and the tides provide an opportunity to witness drastic changes to the landscape over time.”

The transfer excludes “any oils, gases, coal, ores, mineral and fossils located upon or within the property” as well as “any commercial, residential, or other development rights, credits or higher and better use values situate to the property.”

________

Reporter Brian Gawley can be reached by email at brian.gawley@soundpublishing.com.

More in News

Boating coach Eric Lesch, at a whiteboard, explains sailing techniques to a youth sailboat class. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Teenagers learning boating skills through program

Nonprofit funded by grants, agencies and donations

Land trust successful with campaign fund

Public access expected to open this year

Mark Hodgson.
Hodgson plans to run for Port Angeles City Council

Schromen-Wawrin, who currently holds seat, won’t run again

Pet vaccination clinic set for Saturday in Port Townsend

Pet Helpers of Port Townsend will conduct a pet… Continue reading

Charter Review Commission to conduct town hall Monday

The Clallam County Charter Review Commission will conduct a… Continue reading

Alexander Hamilton.
Clallam deputies graduate from state training center

Corrections deputies Alexander Hamilton and Cameron Needham have graduated… Continue reading

Parker Brocious, 6, from Cedar Hills, Utah, studies tubs containing plankton, krill and other small ocean creatures used by the Port Townsend Marine Science Center for education purposes while on a road trip with his family on Tuesday at Fort Worden State Park. Parker’s father Tyler is at left. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Science education

Parker Brocious, 6, from Cedar Hills, Utah, studies tubs containing plankton, krill… Continue reading

Port Angeles approves lodging tax fund requests

Vacancy on committee brings legal questions

OMC hires family medicine physician

Dr. Calvin Kuo will join hospital in August

Colton Dufour, left, and his mom Cherie Tachell. (Cherie Tachell)
Boy seriously injured following hit-and-run

Condition is stable, but more testing underway for Sequim teenager

Applications open for Forks council seat

The Forks City Council is accepting applications to fill a… Continue reading