Vista Park re-opening for camping on May 28

Skamokawa Vista Park will open to camping beginning May 28, Jeff Smith, manager for Port District 2, announced Tuesday.

The park has been closed to camping as part of the social distancing closures mandated by Gov. Jay Inslee to slow the spread of the covid-19 virus. The park reopened to daytime use last week.

On Tuesday, Smith reported to the Port 2 board of commissioners that staff have been able to make grounds keeping progress and improvements to restrooms while the park was closed to the public.

Camping will be limited as park staff await re-opening guidelines from the state Department of Health. No large group camping will be allowed, and playgrounds and group shelters will be closed.

The port has sold three tipis set up for camping to another park, Smith said. Vista Park weather proved to be too wet for the tipis, which had become moldy and worn much quicker than expected, he said.

At the Tuesday meeting, commissioners authorized Smith to proceed with an application for a grant to construct a footbridge across a creek along a primitive trail leading down river from the park.