Two meetings will focus on dock issues

Public officials will hold meetings next Monday and Tuesday to discuss and take comment on issues surrounding two public docks on Vashon.

Public officials will hold meetings next Monday and Tuesday to discuss and take comment on issues surrounding two public docks on Vashon.

“We provided a couple dates so that people have options,” said Kevin Brown, director of King County Parks. “We’re making sure we get as much feedback from the community as possible.”

King County and the Vashon Park District are each faced with repairing or replacing their popular public docks at Tramp Harbor and Dockton Park. Both of the aging creosote piers are in need of expensive repairs, and both will eventually have to be upgraded to meet environmental codes. The docks sit on aquatic land owned by the state, and their leases are expired and up for renewal.

Last month, the county and park district partnered to hold an online survey to gather information about how people use the docks and their importance to taxpayers. Officials said the data would guide their next steps and could also help the agencies obtain grants. More than 700 people took the survey, which closed earlier this month, and Brown and park district Director Elaine Ott said responses showed strong support for the two facilities.

At the meetings next week, officials will give a presentation about the docks, the survey and the questions facing the two agencies. Then much of the meeting will be given over to an open house where the public can view aerial photos and other information and can speak with representatives of the county, park district and state Department of Natural Resources. People can also fill out paper surveys at the meeting.

Brown said King County plans to draft a plan for the Dockton dock by the end of the summer. Ott said she’s interested in gauging whether the Vashon community might support a bond or a fundraising drive for the Tramp Harbor dock.

“We want the community to know that we hear them and that their input is very valid in our decision making,” she said.

Meetings will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, June 22 and 23, at McMurray Middle School.