By Dan Hammock
& Doug Barker
Grays Harbor News Group
On Monday, a group of investors will meet with stakeholders in the Westport area to discuss a proposal to build a links-style golf course, 30- to 40-room inn and other amenities in and around Westport Light State Park.
The following week, the public is invited to a meeting on the proposal.
The land is owned by Washington State Parks. The Parks Commission was approached by the investors, Westport Golf LLC, reportedly from the Seattle area. Scottish links-style courses differ from usual well-manicured courses by purposely retaining the feel of the natural landscape.
The purpose of Monday’s meeting is to “bring everybody to the table,” including environmental groups and other potentially impacted parties, to gauge potential local concerns about the proposed development, said Westport Mayor Rob Bearden.
The land for the development is about 300 acres purchased by State Parks in 2015 through a $1.9 million Recreation and Conservation Office grant. The purchase of the land allowed State Parks to connect Westhaven and Westport Light state parks. The parks and the recently acquired land between them total 603 acres and are known collectively as Westport Light State Park.
One of the stakeholders is the Westport South Beach Historical Society, which owns the lighthouse that would be on one edge of the development. “We should have an open mind,” said John Shaw, the executive director. “These people are coming to the table upfront to tell us what they want to do and I keep telling people, ‘We should listen and let the process will out.’”
A links-style course was considered for the same area more than a decade ago. There was opposition from local environmentalists, based in part over misgivings about the developer.
“Westport Golf LLC’s conceptual proposal calls for a low-impact course design that incorporates the site’s natural features and minimizes disturbance while restoring the natural functions of previously degraded areas,” according to a Parks and Recreation Commission statement. “Westport Golf LLC’s approach would enlist the Westport community in planning, developing and operating a ‘world-class’ public golf course along with supporting state and local park amenities.”
The statement continues, “In addition, the company envisions a destination golf experience that would directly benefit the area by serving as an economic anchor, stimulating local business and providing jobs for the City of Westport and surrounding areas.”
The commission statement says Westport Golf’s proposal includes a commitment to working with State Parks, the City of Westport and the public to prepare a master plan. But the statement also noted that State Parks is in the early stages of considering the proposal and no commitments have been made.
The state says the proposal is consistent with the intent of Washington State Parks’ 2015 real estate policy update, which provides for development of privately financed recreational facilities in state parks. In 2016, the commission completed a public process to select four pilot sites for private investment, known as Recreation Concession Areas. Westport Light State Park was one of the four parks identified.
“The purpose of Recreation Concession Areas is not to privatize the parks system but to provide park visitors with amenities that are beyond State Parks’ financial capacity or expertise, while generating revenue to help operate the park system,” read the statement.
After gauging community support, State Parks will determine whether to proceed with next steps, including collaborative development of a master plan for Westport Light State Park and environmental review under the State Environmental Policy Act.
The community meeting is from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, at McCausland Hall at the Westport Maritime Museum, 2201 Westhaven Drive. A team from Westport Golf LLC will describe their approach and concept, and community members will have an opportunity to provide input.
Comments can be provided to Laura Moxham, State Parks planner, at laura.moxham@parks.wa.gov or 360-902-8649.
