Crescent Bar Island Recreation Plan
Increased visitors and revenue are sure to come from this new design for Grant County PUD’s premiere park, Crescent Bar. For several years, SCJ Studio team members have been working on improvements at this popular shoreline along the Columbia River in eastern Washington.
The Crescent Bar island, the second phase of development for this recreation area, includes design and engineering of a 55-site RV campground, a multi-purpose day-use park, and a commercial area with a new putting green. A pedestrian trail winds through an existing golf course, transitioning to native landscape and leading park visitors to the tip of the island.
Easy circulation for RV and park visitors was achieved through innovative design incorporating one-way roads and traffic calming devices. Specific commercial building sites, campground site locations, and day-use amenities were deliberately chosen to optimize beautiful views of the Columbia River and surrounding bluffs. Throughout the park visitors will find a rugged eastern Washington native planting style that complements all amenities.
Off-island improvements include redesign for a popular boat launch and parking area, which incorporates an overlook plaza with integrated stormwater design. A large day-use area with new parking, outdoor showers, and native landscaping is located next to an upgraded swim beach. Running north along the Columbia River shoreline, SCJ designed a trail that meanders through native landscape and residential areas, capturing views at four plaza overlooks as well as at beaches scattered along the shoreline. This design will greatly increase public accessibility to this currently hard-to-access shoreline.
