A couple of recreational attractions are coming to Washougal in the next few weeks as spring approaches.
A downtown community garden is slated to open April 1 at 2036 Main St. Shortly after, an 18-hole disc golf course is expected to open at Hartwood Park, 2251 49th St.
The projects began last year. City officials received numerous calls expressing interests in the two attractions, and they were some of the most often-mentioned ideas raised by residents in a recent survey, said Michelle Wright, the city’s assistant public works director.
Fencing, dirt, garden boxes and a shed at the garden cost $30,000, Wright said.
The 8,600 square foot community garden will feature 33 privately leased plots, including six that will be accessible to those with disabilities.
“It’ll be a really elegant feature that we’ll be having downtown,” Wright recently told the city Council.
Eight plot reservations had been confirmed as of Thursday night, Wright said.
Information on how to lease is available on the city website. Leases begin at one year and can be renewed annually.
“I’m glad to see that the community garden in the downtown area is already generating a lot of interest,” Mayor Molly Coston said at a Feb. 22 council workshop. “I think that would be a wonderful opportunity.”
The disc golf course was previously scheduled to open April 1, but it hit slight delays with recent weather, Wright said. All 18 baskets are still expected to be placed by that date, and it should be fully open by early spring.
Baskets for the 4,067-feet (relatively short), par 54 course cost $6,552.
“The disc golf course has been talked about for a number years, so I’m glad to see it implemented,” Coston said.
In addition to the new sites, the city recently received a grant to update Hamlik Park, the oldest playground in the city’s park system. The grant also includes money for maintenance to the baseball dugout, picnic tables, benches, bike park skills course and new half-court basketball court.
Wright said the city is communicating with neighbors about what they’d like to see at the park and should be finished with the project later this year or early next year.