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
This project funds the acquisition and development of 38.5 acres of waterfront property located between the King County Snoqualmie Valley Trail and the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River. Currently, boaters who run the middle segment of the Middle Fork (Class III-IV whitewater) with non-motorized craft access the river and shoreline via a King County right-of-way at Tanner Road, approximately one-half mile upstream from the proposed project site. As this segment of the river has become more popular with boaters, conflicts with neighboring residents have intensified. In preparing its River Corridor Public Use Concept (1997-IAC funded), the Middle Fork Task Force, a group of federal, state and local agency officials, user group representatives, and interested citizens, identified the proposed project site as a critical put-in/take-out site for boaters. Given the site’s proximity to a popular regional trail, other facilities recommended include a parking area, connecting trails, a restroom facility, and trash receptacles. King County’s Cedar River Trail Master Plan identified the need for a trailhead facility in this section of the trail in 1994, noting the area’s rural valley character, mountain views and potential for river access. This project application is supported by Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, Mid Fork Outdoor Recreation Coalition, the Issaquah Alps/Upper Snoqualmie Interagency Committee, the North Bend Parks Commission and the Washington Kayak Club.