Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan county outdoors may gain state support

View from Twenty-Five Mile State Park. Photo courtesy: Washington State Parks.

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) will be doling out grants to build parks, trails, athletic fields and boating facilities and conserve wildlife habitat and working farms and forests.

The state agency reports that these grants are the largest source of state funding for many of Washington’s outdoor recreation experiences and the only state grants for conserving working farms and forests.

“Outdoor recreation supports more than 237,000 jobs in Washington, which is more than 5 percent of the state’s employment,” said Megan Duffy, RCO’s director. “These grants help communities build much needed outdoor recreation areas that will continue supporting jobs, improve wildlife habitat and conserve working forests and farms.”

· Boating—Development and renovation of guest moorage facilities for boats 26 feet and longer.

· Farmland—Conservation of farmland to ensure it remains available for agricultural practices.

· Forestland—Conservation of forestland to ensure it remains available for timber production in the future.

· Parks—Acquisition and development of parks, ball fields, sports courts, outdoor swimming pools and other outdoor recreation facilities as well as waterfront access areas for the public.

· Trails—Acquisition and development of trails.

· Wildlife Habitat—Conservation of significant natural areas and habitat for plants and animals, including areas along streams and other waterways.

Grant applications are due Apr. 30. More information about each program is available on RCO’s website.

In 2025, RCO supported several area projects:

• Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park: A $2.64 million grant was awarded to replace aging moorage floats, improving safety and access for boaters.

• Malaga Waterfront Park: $617,085 was awarded to the Chelan County Natural Resource Department to acquire 4.5 acres, expanding the park to over 20 acres and adding Columbia River shoreline access, trails, and picnic areas.

• Lakeside Park Renovation: Funding was provided to renovate this heavily used park, including adding swim platforms, float lines, enhancing non-motorized boat launches, and adding parking and ADA-accessible pathways.

• Nason Ridge Community Forest: RCO awarded grants to Chelan County to acquire Nason Ridge for permanent community forestland, combining funds from the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program and salmon recovery grants.

• Lake Wenatchee Boat Launch: $754,000 was awarded to upgrade the boat launch at Lake Wenatchee’s only public site.

• Trail Maintenance: The Chelan Ranger District received funding to maintain over 350 miles of trails for non-motorized activities in the upper Lake Chelan basin and the Entiat portion of the Glacier Peak Wilderness.

• Comprehensive Recreation Planning: The City of Chelan received an $86,000 grant to create a comprehensive plan to guide park systems, trail connections, and public access to submerged shoreline areas.

• Campground Maintenance: Grants support the maintenance of 13 campgrounds, two cabins, and over 100 dispersed sites in the Chelan and Entiat Ranger Districts.

In August, RCO will begin accepting grant applications for motorized boating access, firearm and archery ranges, and backcountry trail systems.