Wilkeson Gateway Community Resilience Project
Wilkeson Gateway Community Resilience Project - Wilkeson, WA - 540 Church Street, Wilkeson WA 98396
Amount Requested: $1,200,000
The funding would be used to complete the acquisition and development of 139 acres of land adjacent to the town of Wilkeson to form a public recreational site and community hub – including the construction of a pedestrian bridge, trail system, parking area, restroom facility, and environmental improvements. This project would preserve remnants of Wilkeson's coal mining history, such as the Skookum slope mine entrance, fan house, and associated artifacts – allowing the community and visitors to better understand Wilkeson’s regional heritage. Funding would additionally support the engineering, permitting, environmental review, and construction contingency required for federal compliance. This project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it would restore recreation opportunities and uplift local industries following the closure of the Fairfax Bridge in April of 2025, which disrupted Wilkeson’s access to Mount Rainier National Park and impacted local economic activity. The project would restore managed recreation opportunities, reduce unmanaged impacts to natural resources, and provide long-term outdoor access while bolstering the local economy.
Federal nexus: 42 USC 5305(a)(2)