Metro recently received $400,000 from the Oregon State Marine Board and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to construct additional car parking and landscaping at the M. James Gleason Memorial Boat Ramp launch point on the Columbia River.
“These important funds will help us serve the people who enjoy this boat ramp and Broughton Beach,” said Metro project manager Lydia Neill. “While we are in the process of constructing a new parking lot, we can efficiently add extra single car parking."
In addition to installation of permanent restrooms, stormwater improvements, and a new parking lot, other beneficial improvement features have been installed in previous phases of work. Projects included construction of a new gangway, new boarding floats for transient boaters, and a wave and debris deflection system that allows for efficient fish passage.
Funding was provided by Metro, Oregon State Marine Board and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to enhance boater safety, accessibility, protect the water quality and allow for efficient fish passage at this widely-used boat ramp.
During construction, boat launch and parking are available at Metro’s Chinook Landing Marine Park, at 22300 NE Marine Drive, across from Blue Lake Regional Park. The Gleason boat ramp is one of three public boating facilities operated by Metro.