Proposed Clallam Parks Plan Lists $14 Million in Projects

Clallam County commissioners will consider a 10-year parks plan Tuesday that proposes $14 million in improvements, including campground renovations at Salt Creek, improved waterfront access at Clallam Bay and replacement of Lake Pleasant playground equipment believed to date to the 1960s.

The 2027–2036 Parks Comprehensive Plan would guide investment in 23 county parks covering nearly 1,200 acres. Adoption would establish the county’s priorities; funding for individual projects would still depend on future budgets.

The plan puts most of the proposed spending in years four through six, with about $1.1 million in work identified for the first three years.

County parks staff recommend adoption. Commissioners will take public comment Oct. 27 as part of a series of hearings beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the county courthouse in Port Angeles.

Aging facilities and access needs

The plan describes many county parks as sufficiently maintained despite aging infrastructure. It also identifies dated restrooms and picnic shelters, wooden structures needing renovation or replacement, and barriers that make some facilities difficult to reach for people with limited mobility.

At Lake Pleasant County Park, the assessment says playground equipment appears to date to the 1960s and is overdue for replacement. A $124,000 project to remove, relocate and replace the playground is among the work proposed for the first three years.

Elsewhere, the assessment identifies uneven pavement and missing accessible routes to picnic tables and benches. It recommends replacing older furnishings with accessible versions and improving the paths leading to them.

Repairing existing facilities was a leading concern in the public input gathered for the plan. An online survey collected 2,042 responses between July 2024 and mid-November 2025, including 1,520 from county residents. Replacing outdated or damaged facilities received the strongest support among six investment priorities presented to respondents.

The survey was voluntary, and the plan cautions that the results do not necessarily represent all county residents.

An analysis of 1,015 written comments found interest in more trails, camping and recreation alongside a desire to keep parks quiet and natural. Maintaining existing facilities before expanding the system was another recurring theme.

Campgrounds, waterfront access and trailheads

The plan’s capital project list totals $14,018,000. About $9.56 million would go toward improvements at existing parks, with the balance assigned to trailheads, land acquisitions, planning and signs.

At Dungeness Recreation Area, projects proposed for years four through six include $1.5 million for trails, a traffic circle and parking, and $965,000 for a water line and group camping area. The same period includes $480,000 to renovate campsites 50 through 92 at Salt Creek Recreation Area.

On the West End, the plan proposes $600,000 to convert the beach bridge at Clallam Bay East County Park to permanent ramp access and $300,000 for accessible, paved parking at Clallam Bay West County Park. Both projects fall in the middle three years of the plan.

The broader list includes $2 million for Olympic Discovery Trail trailhead improvements within parks, $1.45 million for land acquisitions and just over $1 million for site planning and consistent county parks signs.

Paying for that work remains a separate challenge. The plan says grants and efficiencies alone will not cover all its proposals, and that implementation could require more funding, staffing and maintenance capacity.

It identifies real estate excise taxes, general funds, grants, donations and partnerships as potential sources of support. Projects would be evaluated against available funding and the county’s ability to operate and maintain them before advancing for budget consideration.

Tuesday’s commissioners’ meeting begins at 10 a.m. in Room 160 of the courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St.

Residents can comment at the parks hearing or submit written comments to Clerk of the Board Loni Gores at loni.gores@ClallamCountyWA.gov.

Remote participation is available through Zoom using meeting ID 836 9266 4344 and passcode 12345, or by calling 253-215-8782.