Powerhouse Park to reopen Oct. 26

CHELAN FALLS – The Powerhouse Park in Chelan Falls will reopen on Oct. 26 after the riverbank and swim beach area get renovated.

The park closed on July 30 in order to start a two part project. Part one includes the riverbank which is being rebuilt back to it’s natural stage. Part two consists of protecting the swim area from erosion.  

“This project is to save the riverbank, it’s eroding, it’s steep and dangerous. So we are using bioengineering to keep it from getting any worse,” said Vern Chamberlain PUD Project Management Department Manager. The intent is to stabilize the shoreline and restore the natural components of it.

“We will have what is called a soil wrap. We will put in top soil with coconut fiber over it and the lower edges of it will be planted live willow stakes and then some of the space that is left in the next four feet we’re putting in some other native type of tree species … the lower edge is more of near water habitat,” said Tony Rapoza PUD Construction Manager.

A new fence will also be added, “We are trying to make it safer,” said PUD Public Information Officer Kimberlee Craig. PUD doesn’t want people to be jumping the fence and go fishing, that’s why they will add two fishing access points and a small non-motorized boat launch.

The park has been a popular place of gathering for the community since the 90s, “overall the PUD has 15 parks that go along with our hydro projects,” said Craig.

The Chelan PUD is little by little restoring river banks in some of the parks they are responsible for. As Craig states, “The key thing for all of those is that bioengineering. We are really thinking about the fish and the other animals that use this riverbank and the ecosystem that was on a natural riverbank.”

Since the PUD had to work along with other agencies, “There’s a very specific time we can do in water work because of fish and we have to work with fish agencies very closely to get that permit and this was the window.”

The project is currently 70 percent done, “We finished with our in water work. We are on schedule. We will wrap up the restoration work in early November,” said Rapozo.

 In a few weeks landscaping will take place, a variety of trees and plants will be planted, including Ponderosa Pine, Willows and Snowberry.  “These trees were picked by our Parks Department, they were approved by the agencies. We couldn’t just pick what we wanted without their approval,” said Rapozo.

A number locals have stopped by the park, Rapozo explained, “Everyone’s been real receptive and no one is getting mad about it. They will get some benefit to the park, which will keep it open in the future.”

 “On October 26 the park will reopen because we continue to have this gorgeous fall weather people really enjoy this park, so we want to get it back open to them,” said Craig.