Port plans pedestrian pathway

The Port of Camas-Washougal is connecting two of its primary riverside attractions with a short-but-safe walking path.

Port commissioners approved a contract during their July 18 meeting with Washougal-based Michael Green Construction, Inc., which will construct a concrete pedestrian pathway that will connect Washougal Waterfront Park to Parker’s Landing Marina.

“People can use (the new path) instead of having to walk in front of the Black Pearl (event center),” Port Chief Executive Officer David Ripp recently told The Post-Record. “This is just adding different access from the marina park. (Pedestrians) can walk and not have as much traffic to get out to the trailhead that they’ve been utilizing for the last eight years.”

The 300-foot path will run parallel to the marina, just south of the Black Pearl, and include lighting and safety railing, according to Ripp.

“It will present a very visual difference (from what’s currently there),” commissioner John Spencer said during the July 19 meeting.

An informal dirt trail currently exists behind the Black Pearl, but does not provide adequate safety measures for pedestrians, according to a Port staff report.

“It’s just dangerous, mostly (because) people have to come down an embankment,” Ripp said. “People would use it, especially during the Fourth of July (events). We had it all gated off, roped off, and people would go around it. We always envisioned having (an upgraded) path there eventually.”

Michael Green Construction, Inc., bid $186,642 for the project, which is included in the Port’s 2024 capital budget.

“(The new path) ties in nicely with our waterfront trail,” Ripp said. “As soon as the waterfront development is up and running, foot traffic is going to expand, and we thought having two different access points would benefit that project as well. We haven’t had any safety issues, but we’re being proactive, not reactive.”

Kim Sherertz, owner of the Black Pearl, “is supportive” of the project and deeded part of the pathway property to the Port, according to Ripp.

“We’ve got parks on one side of the Port office building and parks on the other (side near the) ‘Gateway to the Gorge.’ (The new path) ties our parks together and ties right into our trail system,” Port Commissioner Larry Keister said during the Commission’s July 18 meeting. “It’s a good thing.”

Commissioner Cassi Marshall added that the “connectivity is getting better and better and better.”

“We’re supportive of the (regional) trail system,” Ripp said. “Connecting Camas, Washougal and the Port has been an ultimate goal since day one, when we started this waterfront project. (Providing) connectivity, easy access and pedestrian and bike path safety benefits our entire community. And we’re trying to compliment the businesses of downtown Camas and Washougal with our development, not compete against them.”