Grant PUD Conducts Improvements to Several Recreation Sites

Improvement work to several Grant PUD recreation spots is underway as usage increased in 2020 with folks flocking to sites despite the 67 day closure due to COVID-19.

"It's pretty exciting, we just finished replacing a boardwalk in the Buckshot Recreation Area near Priest Rapids Dam," said Christine Pratt, public affairs officer.

The original boardwalk burned in a 2017 fire and the boardwalk leads to a duck blind on the Columbia River for duck hunter use. This project has been completed and now the spot is accessible again.

"We had a big windstorm a year or two ago that damaged part of the Wanapum Upper Boat Launch," said Pratt. "We replaced that, so that's all ready to go."

According to Pratt, overall campsite use increased 31% in 2020 with COVID driving folks to PUD campsites and recreation areas. Golf use at Crescent Bar Golf Course had a 20% spike compared to 2018.

"Those were all projects that were already budgeted for in our 2020 budget," said Pratt.