Building History

The architectural and engineering firm Otak, Incorporated, headquartered in Portland, OR, designed Sternwheeler Park. It stated of the project: "Located on the edge of a rich habitat, Sternwheeler Park provides an important link between a civic center and one of the premier wildlife preserves in Washington State. The project needed to strike a balance between public use and environmental protection, which it achieved by incorporating amenities such as a sheltered instructional area for outdoor classes and a lawn-terraced amphitheater for community gatherings. Carefully positioned improvements also avoided impacting the ecologically sensitive surroundings, bridging the gap between environmental education and public assembly and creating an impressive front door for the city." (See Otak, Incorporated, "Sternwheeler Park," accessed 03/07/2019.)

The LewisRiver.com web site had more on the development of Sternwheeler Park: "In 2001, a partnership with Vancouver/Clark Parks and Recreation, City of La Center, and Clark Public Utilities was formed to develop the upland portion of land directly south of the City of La Center, Washington. Improvements proposed included: parking area with restroom, picnic shelter, terrace program area, picnic tables, benches, drinking fountain, signage, irrigation, and landscaping. Planning and design work is finished and construction began Summer of 2003. The Colf Construction Company is the General Contractor." (See Lewis River.com, "Sternwheeler Park," accessed 03/07/2019.) The park had its dedication on 06/04/2004.

PCAD id: 22758