Project will add parking to popular trailhead

Planning is moving forward on a project that will add more parking at the north end of the popular Heritage Trail, located off of Northeast Goodwin Road in Camas.

A consultant contract with Harper Houf Peterson Righellis, Inc., for completion of permitting, plans and specifications for additional parking at the Heritage Trailhead has been approved by the City Council. The cost for the contract is not to exceed $98,335.

Engineering Manager Jim Carothers said during a March City Council workshop that at least 35 parking spaces will be constructed on the currently undeveloped 1-acre triangular parcel, which is located northeast of the current parking lot that offers 16 parking spaces.

According to Project Manager Jim Hodges, the total cost of the project is estimated at $480,000. That’s $230,000 more than what was originally set aside in the approved 2016 budget.

“A more recent review of the site indicates the project will have significant permitting costs,” Hodges said Monday. “It is surrounded by wetlands and other critical areas, and is located in an area with potential archaeological resources. All of these factors, and the current construction market conditions, contribute to the budgeted amount.”

According to Hodges, the project is at the beginning of the design phase, and construction is expected to start this year.

The Heritage Trail is a 3.5-mile gravel path located on the south side of Lacamas Lake and Lacamas Creek. At the west end is Heritage Park, where there are currently approximately 75 parking spaces.

A portion of the Heritage Trail was first developed in the 1980s, on land donated to the city of Camas by Adolf Hertrich, owner of Vanport Manufacturing Co. The trail was completed in 1999 after developer Tom Shipler, Hertrich’s business partner, donated 30 acres worth approximately $1.8 million to Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation.