By Laura Swanson
All good things take time. The City of Rockaway Beach has had listening sessions, workshops and surveys about what the community would like to see at Lake Lytle Park. The first steps entailed a presentation over a year ago to the Tillamook County Board of Commissioners to finalize the city’s plan to take over management and maintenance of Lake Lytle – which had been a county park. See below for a link to the presentation.
From this community engagement, the city developed a project list for Lake Lytle that included improved access to the water, accessible facilities, parking lot improvements, restroom upgrades, swimming area, picnic tables and benches, lighting, bike racks, informational signage, paths and trails, and much MORE! With the number of projects and depending upon grants and available funding, the city will make improvements in phases, however there are several items that have been immediately addressed.
The first improvement was to make the facility free-of-charge to the public, beginning in January of 2024 (as a county park, there had been a $10/day fee.)
The next project is to substantially improve the restroom facilities, which will entail removing the current restroom facility and constructing new ADA compliant, family-style restrooms which will be connected to the City’s sewer and water systems. Upgrading these sanitary connections will provide environmental and health protection to the waterways and the public. The city applied for an Oregon Parks and Recreation grant for this project and was awarded $433,576, and construction will begin late summer, with completion by Spring, 2025.
“When we started this project well over a year ago, we were so happy with the community input, and now we can move forward with one of the largest and most important facility improvements, replacing the vault toilet,” said city manager Luke Shepard. “We will be working with the Oregon Marine Board next to do in water surveys in June to begin the process for new docks and other boating improvements.”
“We are looking forward to making Lake Lytle a wonderful asset in the City’s expanding parks program,” continued Shepard. “A great place for residents and visitors to enjoy lake side recreational activities.”
Mayor Charles McNeilly said, “Lake Lytle Park continues Rockaway Beach’s commitment to making access to outdoor recreation available to residents and visitors of all abilities, who enjoy recreating on and near the water.”
Speaking of parks – watch for the ribbon-cutting and official opening of the Anchor Street Park (behind City Hall, near the Fire Station) coming soon in JUNE!
LINK to Board of Commissioners presentation: https://youtu.be/oOeaY_b1Soc?si=R30A8tEW_uojx4km