POULSBO – A tangled mess of vines and brush near the head of Liberty Bay could someday by the site of a new waterfront park.
The city of Poulsbo accepted a $400,000 grant from the state’s Wildlife and Recreation Program this week, which when matched with $400,000 of the city’s own funds, will be used in an attempt to acquire the property – which sits off 5th Avenue NW, just east of the new Olmsted's Nursery location on Viking Avenue.
The city hopes to turn the 3-acre property into a park with water access, play areas, green space and wetland areas, according to a conceptual design submitted to the state as part of the city’s grant application.
Kayaks and paddleboards could launch into Liberty Bay, shellfishing and swimming could happen along the shore, and beachcombers could walk up the shoreline there. The city also hopes to restore half an acre of wetlands and 200 feet of shoreline as part of the work. Restoring the undeveloped property would require hauling out swaths of blackberry vines, scotch broom thickets and other brush that has grown over the four connected parcels the city is eyeing.
Along with providing space for recreation, restoration of the property would support a variety of species, including chinook, coho and chum salmon; steelhead, butter and native littleneck clams; Olympia oysters; and a variety of birds including herons, ospreys, bald eagles and waterfowl, according to the city.
The property is the last developable low-bank waterfront parcel in the city. It’s for sale currently and there is a high threat for development there, according to a city presentation on the property.
“It’s the last available waterfrontage on that side,” said Councilman Ed Stern.
“We expect to see a lot of residential development in that area. It’s thinking ahead to provide water access for future residential populations that will live on that Viking Avenue corridor.”
The property is bisected by a 700-foot trail stub the city already manages, which provides waterfront views of the bay and could eventually connect to a broader regional trail, according to the city. That trail could also link this new park with Nelson and Fish parks, just north of that area.
City Parks and Recreation Director Mary McCluskey said the city plans to apply for other grants to help fund construction of the park. Future planning for the space would solicit community input, she said.
Design and construction could come in 2019, according to the city. In its 2016 grant application, the city said it hoped to complete construction at the site within five years. Development would occur depending on funding availability and the city could use a phased approached, it said, in which water access elements, parking, trails and open space were built ahead of structures, play areas and native vegetation restoration.
