Category Overview
Washington is famous for its gorgeous and abundant waterways, from the Salish Sea to the Nisqually River, but many communities lack open public beaches and waterfronts where everyone can enjoy picnicking, swimming, paddling, boating, and angling. Water Access projects fund public shoreline access, boat launches, and fishing docks to create more opportunities for water recreation.
Project Highlights
The Town of Darrington will use this grant to develop safe and sustainable access to the Sauk Wild and Scenic River to promote recreation, youth outdoor education and community enjoyment of a pristine natural setting.Darrington residents lack walkable access to the river and request support in developing a 40-acre natural park to connect the town’s residential district to the Sauk River. The Project Area is located two blocks east of downtown Darrington and comprised of a town right of way and previously conserved land owned by Seattle City Light and the Town of Darrington.Accessing the eastern portion of the Project Area is highly restrictive due to a side channel of the Sauk River that separates the Town from over 20-acres of the Project Area. This forces visitors to cross inconsistently appearing log jams which are unsafe, unsustainable, and inequitable – discouraging access to land that allows for passive recreation and enables access to the Sauk River. Newly built elements proposed include a pedestrian bridge across the side channel, enhanced trails, trailhead kiosks, interpretive signs and three formalized water access points to the Sauk River.Community members agree that a walkable park with river access will be an asset and the Project Area is the ideal location, as reflected in the comprehensive plan. This underserved community first conceptualized the access project nearly a decade ago and we request financial assistance to finally realize the community’s vision.