Community Environment Government

Kopachuck State Park reopening in early August

The reopening of Kopachuck State Park has been extended until early August.

The park 6 miles west of downtown Gig Harbor closed on June 3, 2024, for renovations as it completes a transition from a camping-centered facility to day-use-only. It was expected to reopen in mid-summer.

The playground is taking shape. Courtesy of State Parks

Work has gone smoothly on the $8.6 million project and contractor Mountain Construction is on schedule, said State Parks spokesperson Meryl Lassen. The opening was delayed after four alternate items were added.

They are: a wood deck, ramp and stairs from the day-use area to the beach trail; amphitheater wood deck, ramp, steps and seating; wood stairs at the welcome center; trails from the day-use area to the beach area; using on-site salvaged wood to build a play tower structure; and using on-site salvaged wood for a park entry gate.

Kopachuck State Park site plan.

The only alternative not brought back is a school connector trail and small parking lot along 59th Street NW.

State found more money for Kopachuck

State Parks began with a $6.6 million budget, with $5.8 million for actual construction, so alternative tasks had to be left out of the $8.6 million bid. The agency recouped six of the seven by pulling money from various sources, Lassen said. It’s using $659,000 appropriated for the beach area, which has been postponed by its own funding shortage. About $2.1 million was transferred from two eastside capital projects that couldn’t move forward.

The Kopachuck project addresses ADA deficiencies, enabling it to add $748,000 from statewide ADA and code-compliance project appropriations. The agency negotiated some savings with the contractor to award one alternative. As the project nears completion, it became apparent that leftover contingency funds could be used for another.

“This has resulted in a comprehensive buildout of almost the entire project as designed, which creates easier access for people of different abilities and levels of mobility,” Lassen said.

The state re-envisioned the park for day use after its 41-site campground closed in 2011 as a safety precaution. Mature Douglas fir trees became infected with laminated root rot disease. State Parks cut down hundreds. Others, however, remain standing and could fall on campers.

Day-use park

A master plan completed in 2014 provided a new identity as a day-use park for the 280-acre site along Carr Inlet. It features a new welcome center and a multipurpose building that can accommodate events such as weddings, school groups and community gatherings.

Along the sides of the building will be an American Disabilities Act-compliant picnic area, amphitheater and playground. New water, sewer and storm-water management systems will support the renovations.

The multipurpose building from the side. Courtesy of State Parks

After funding fell short, State Parks postponed work on the lower area, which comprises just 10% to 20% of the project. It plans to request funding for the beach area in the 2027-29 biennium.