By SUE RYAN
News staff writer
April 11, 2007

The Waterfront Community Park Association holds its latest fund-raiser this weekend to work on turning its vision into reality.

The group has been selling $40 tickets for its Spring Fling on Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. at Westwind Frame and Gallery in Hood River. The money raised goes toward a match for a $500,000 state grant the group is applying for this week.

Their efforts are part of the collaboration between Hood River and the Park Development Committee to develop a waterfront parcel donated by the Port of Hood River.

Committee co-chairwoman Christine Knowles said the association believes its application for the state lottery funds stands a good chance this year because of changes in the waterfront.

“The fact is the Marina Beach is gone and there is a need for a replacement beach,” Knowles said.

The plans include first cutting in a sloping beach designed to be family-friendly. Knowles said since the arrival of more than 26 acres of land known as the delta in November, some people have asked whether the park design still works.

“The beach we’ve designed is to the west side and in an eddy,” she said. “Currently, with the Hood River flowing east, if people try to get in the water there they could be swept directly out into the Columbia River.”

Knowles believes the safety issue and need for a beach will make their application more competitive in the state process. She said just because the old beach is gone does not mean people won’t try going in the water once the weather turns hot.

But they also need community support, such as turning out for this Saturday’s event, to reach their match requirement.

“The more (money) the better,” Knowles said.