Category Overview
Local Parks grants help protect these symbols of vibrant communities, providing places for families to gather and play and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle in an era when people spend increasing amounts of their time inside. The WWRP is the largest source of local parks funding in Washington, helping communities fund the acquisition, development, and renovation of vital recreation areas and green spaces.
Project Highlights
This project completed the construction of the Saddle Rock Gateway and Outdoor Education Area Project at Saddle Rock. Saddle Rock is a year round outdoor recreation and education destination located in the Wenatchee Valley. From snowshoeing to horseback riding and hiking, the area is used by thousands of residents and visitors each year. Saddle Rock also is the site of the Wenatchee School District’s award winning, Shrub Steppen’ Up Program in which every 5th grade student in the Wenatchee School District visits the site and learns about the natural environment. Through this project, parking was developed to better serve visitors to the site. The project also included the installation of an ADA accessible trail, interpretive/educational stations, outdoor classroom, shade structures and restrooms. Native materials and drought tolerant landscaping, LED lighting and an electric vehicle charging station installed to increase the sustainability of the project. This project was supported by the Wenatchee School District, Chelan Douglas Land Trust, Dry Gulch Preserve, Alcoa and Lowes Foundations and the community. Over $450,000 was donated by the community as match for the project.