Public meeting scheduled for Hazel Dell sports fields project

Vancouver, WA – Clark County Public Works and Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation will host a public meeting on July 30, 2009, to present and discuss the latest information about the proposed Hazel Dell Sports Fields project. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in building B1 at the Clark County Public Works Operations Division Conference Center, 4700 N.E.78th St., Vancouver.

The proposed sports fields would be located on the north side of Northeast 78th Street, about a quarter mile west of St. Johns Road. To meet needs of local youth sports groups, the project scope includes five baseball fields (1 full-size, 2 intermediate and 2 t-ball), batting cages, restroom facilities, a parking lot, access roads and walkways and improvements to adjacent roads. The county will also identify and preserve space for a future neighborhood park on the north side of the property.

Staff will present an updated draft concept plan at the public meeting, and provide information on a variety of topics, including:

· the youth sports groups and teams that will use the site

· traffic, parking and road improvements

· noise and light buffering

· environmental preservation and education opportunities

The development plans are still preliminary and interested members of the public are encouraged to attend this meeting to provide input on the project. Those who cannot attend the public meeting will be able to review the display and handout materials and provide comments through the project Web page starting on July 31, 2009. The county will accept comments through August 6, 2009.

Design and construction of the sports fields is being funded by the real estate excise tax, which is paid whenever property is sold. The Greater Clark Parks District, a special district approved by voters in the unincorporated urban area of Clark County in 2005, will pay for maintenance after construction.

For more information about this project, please contact Project Manager Matt Griswold at (360) 397-6118 ext. 4372, or by e-mail at Matt.Griswold@clark.wa.gov, or visit the project Web page: www.clarkparks.org/projects/hazeldellsports.htm.