Grandview Forest Park nears reopen date as restoration begins

After a seven-month closure, an opening date for Grandview Forest Park is on the horizon.

A contract in the amount of $26,060 was awarded to SMS Superior Maintenance Solutions to restore the park after several trees infected with laminated root rot where removed. The Gig Harbor City Council approved the contract at Monday’s meeting.

The landscape construction contractor will replant native trees and underbrush in the park and resurface park paths with wood shavings.

According to Marcos McGraw, project engineer for the city, the restoration is needed before opening the park to the public.

The work is anticipated to be completed, and the park reopened, by mid-May. Grandview Forest Park was originally closed Aug. 17 after several trees were found infected with laminated root rot and determined dangerous.

The project was originally anticipated to be completed on Sept. 20, but was delayed due to complications with the first contractor hired for the project.

Harbor Code updates

Gig Harbor Police Chief Kelly Busey asked the Council to approve corrections and updates to the existing Harbor Code.

These updates include clarifications on procedures for impounding derelict vessels and an exception for non-motorized watercraft to speed regulations.

Other changes comprised of updating the code to meet current state laws, deleting outdated references and correcting boating safety procedures.

This was the first reading and public hearing of the ordinance, which will return at the next Council meeting on the consent agenda.

Eagle Scout project

Boy Scout Jared Van Komen presented his Eagle Scout project to the Council to construct an informational kiosk at the Cushman Trail head at Borgen Boulevard.

The kiosk would function as a centralized location for information about the trail, such as a trail map or safety guides, and could also be used as a bulletin board for city information.

Van Komen said he would complete the project with assistance from his troop and adult leaders, using donated materials and fundraised money. The Scout had already presented his project to the Parks Commission and the Public Works Committee, according to Jeff Langhelm, Public Works director.

Two possible location sites at the trailhead have been approved by Tacoma Power.

The City Council voted unanimously to accept Van Komen’s project and also to use the kiosk as a standard for volunteer donations.

This story was originally published March 16, 2016 at 9:54 AM with the headline "Grandview Forest Park nears reopen date as restoration begins."