Trail advisory committee to be formed

A local historian will lead a group that will focus on the interpretive and educational features of the port waterfront trail project. Roger Daniels, of Washougal, recently referred to a suggestion made during a September 2013 open house regarding waterfront revitalization of the former Hambleton Lumber Company site. The idea, from Vern Schanilec, of Washougal, would involve installing life-size statues of Lewis and Clark along the waterfront. He said tourists could be attracted to the area by the statues. Daniels agreed during the April 15 port commission meeting, suggesting there be a statue of Lewis, Clark, their Native American guide Sacagawea, her son Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, slave York and dog Seaman. "There's no place along the entire trail that has all of these unique characters in one location," Daniels said. "That would be a draw for tourism. The dog is as big as a black bear. I'm not sure if I've seen a statue of York. "There are unique historical figures," he added. "There could be a really nice draw for tourism and this trail." Daniels suggested "Discovery Walk" as the name for the trail. He would also like to see a statue of Royal Navy Lt. William Broughton, on the local waterfront. Broughton, commander of the British vessel Chatham, arrived in Washougal in 1792 and named Mount Hood. "There's all kinds of stories we can share with visitors to the waterfront," Daniels said. Port Commissioner Bill Ward said he is in favor of anything that would help the local economy. "I'm anxious to develop this site in a manner that will make this area prosper," he said. People interested in volunteering to serve on the trail advisory committee should contact Port Finance Director Kim Noah at 335-3684 or kim@portcw.com by Friday, May 2, to be considered. "Consideration will be given to those with any of these qualifications: historical knowledge of the Washougal area, creative/artistic abilities or experience with designing interpretive signs or other artistic or historical features for a park or trail," she said. The port intends to develop a trail from the existing marina area, extending to the east along the shoreline of the former Hambleton property, at 335 S. "A" St., Washougal. The trail -- from the waterfront site through the port's Sixth Street property and tying into South "A" Street -- will be .83 miles. It will include a 12-foot wide concrete path, plaza, lawn areas and a trail head, as well as a parking area for approximately 35 cars. There will also be a restroom building, pathway lighting, viewpoints and landscaping. A mixed-use development, with the potential for condominiums and townhouses, is expected to be among the components of the Parker's Landing LLC project.

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