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
Olympia will use this grant to buy 1.07 acres of waterfront and develop a panoramic viewpoint, seating areas, handheld boat launch, strolling paths, a segment of the West Bay Trail, landscaping, and other improvements at Rotary Point in West Bay Park. Jutting into Budd Inlet, Rotary Point will create a stage for viewing the beautiful State Capitol, waterfowl, marine mammals, and fish. The land will serve paddlers traversing Puget Sound and may function as the southern-most put-in on the Cascadia Marine Trail. Local Rotary Clubs are donating design and development costs. This prime waterfront property will be developed for commercial or residential uses if it is not acquired for public access. Olympia’s goal is to eventually acquire a total of 16.8 acres for West Bay Park and to link the park via the West Bay Trail with the State Capitol Campus, downtown Olympia, and surrounding neighborhoods. Olympia will contribute $366,134 in cash and donations of cash, labor, and materials.