HANSVILLE — Development of Norwegian Point Park rests in the hands of the big money holders—Olympia’s Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) Board. However, this year there is no big money for the development of county parks.
“There are no monies in the current (grant) cycle,” said Kitsap County Parks and Recreation Director Chip Faver, adding that is the reason for heightened competition in the 2009 grant cycle.
Needed to develop Norwegian Point Park is a $450,000 Washington Wildlife Recreation Program grant. However, competition looks fierce, Faver said.
If Parks and Rec doesn’t receive the grant, development of Norwegian Point wouldn’t likely commence until 2012, after the 2010 grant cycle, Faver said.
“It is not likely the competition will reduce. It’s going to get more fierce for less dollars,” he said.
Parks and Rec won’t find out if they receive grant funding until March 2009.
But so far so good.
On June 11, Parks approached the RCO board in Olympia for a technical review of the grants, including Norwegian Point Park.
“Their feedback reflected very positively on the work we’ve done this far on putting grant work together,” he said. “There are several more grant presentations to go.”
Parks and Rec is also currently seeking a water access grant to open up 420 feet of shoreline to enable beach side recreation.
“This means we are bringing the park to the waterfront and meandering the stream,” he said. “Many people want to save the pier because if they tear it down they will never get to rebuild it because of the change in shoreline codes.”
This separate grant proposal would be used toward getting motorized boat access to the park such as a floating dock like the one at Salisbury Point.
“What we are talking about would be to rebuild the pier. This does not mean building a boat ramp,” he said.
Final determinations of the park’s master plan hinge on the outcomes of the public process.
July 1 is the due date for Parks and Rec to recomend a master plan to Kitsap County commissioners based on public input.
The next open meeting takes place June 18 at the Greater Hansville Community Center at 6:30 p.m.
