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The Peshastin Mill Site Now
Open for Public Access
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On Thursday, June 3, the Port of Chelan County voted to allow limited public access to the former Mill Site property in Peshastin. A policy was drafted by Port staff members
in cooperation with members of the Peshastin community and will allow daylight, non-motorized access to the property, including
a stretch of waterfront along the North side of the Wenatchee River. The policy opens the area to the public for activities
such as walking, biking, picnicking, swimming, fishing, bird watching, etc., but smoking, motorized vehicles, fires, and camping
are prohibited. Access is provided free to the public, and all activities will be at the participants' own risk and liability.
The Port has commissioned Heartland Real Estate, a Seattle based multidisciplinary real estate consulting and brokerage firm, to review concepts for the development of the
mill site in terms of the current and projected future real estate market. This study is expected to be completed and
reviewed by the Port Commission during the Fall of 2010, in time for guidance in the preparation and approval of the 2011
Port budget. In the meantime, public access has been granted without imposition of a time frame for termination. Winter access
for snowshoeing and cross country skiing is expected to continue, but the Port commissioners will review the status periodically
to address any issues that may arise.
Along with access to the
property, the Port has agreed to supply portable toilet facilities and a trash receptacle along the gravel road near the Wenatchee
River beach access, and the Peshastin Community Council has agreed to have people help police the area for cleanliness. A
container stocked with dog waste baggies will also be provided. It is hoped that users will be courteous and pack out whatever
they bring in. It is approximately a half-mile from the parking area to the beach.
The Port will be installing signage soon, stating the limitations to public access and additional signs will
be posted along the site's perimeter to discourage trespassing onto adjacent private property and orchards. No trail construction
will be considered at this time, however, the Port will remain open to this possibility at a later date.
The 64 acre Peshastin Mill Site may be reached via the gravel Mill Road at the East end
of the property, adjacent to the Peshastin Hi-Up Growers fruit warehouses. There is a locked gate there with a pedestrian
by-pass. The Hi-Up Growers have graciously consented to allow parking on their property, and Kim Kozelisky of Leavenworth's Upper Valley Excavating donated time and equipment to level a substantial area for vehicles to park and turn around. Thanks to both for their support.
Click on a map above for directions on how to get to the area.
A
committee from the Peshastin Community Council, including Steve Keene, Carin Smith, Kathy Springer, Tricia Ortiz, Ken Hemberry
and Stan Winters, has worked closely with Port of Chelan County's Commissioner JC Baldwin and Executive Director Mark
Urdahl to make this access possible, and a thank you to all is expressed for their efforts, along with a thank you to the
entire Port Commission for their approval.
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