The shoreline of University Place ... an unseen wonder!

I am sure you have heard of Big Sky, Montana and the Seven Wonders of the World, but do you know of the wonder that is the shoreline of University Place?

I have been a long term resident of UP. I have been involved with shoreline management as part of my responsibilites with the former paper mill in Steilacoom, located on Chambers Bay, and discharging effluent into the Narrows. I am also very familiar with Chambers Creek, having managed water storage and removal above the dam, and facilitating donation by the Mill of signifacant upstream waterway to Pierce County. I had only heard, and rarely visited the other areas.

One may not realize at first, but the shoreline encompases Day Island, then extends southward along the Narrows, past Chambers Bay Properties, under the railroad bridge, up through Chambers Bay, past the dam, and on up Chambers Creek to the vicinity of Kobayoshi Park at the end of 67th Ave.

I am privledged to participate with other citizens (on a Citizens' Advisory Committee), City Staff and Ecology in the required update of the Shoreline Management Plan, due for completion by July 2012. This is a rewarding experience. If you wish to know the full story, visit http://www.cityofup.com/page207.aspx  the city web site under government.

It has been said that the city does not have much open space..how un-true! If you go to the shoreline, you will suddenly realize how vast and wonderful resource of open space we have. Unless you went by boat, or were brave to walk, this resource had to be overlooked from the city. Public access from land was limited at best, dangerous at worst. Day Island has only has a couple of pathways, but visit the marina, or make friends with a property owner. View the Narrows, Gig Harbor, and the Narrows bridges from down under. Heading south, the shoreline is again barely accessible, until you reach the beautiful, but private community of Sunset Beach, with some homes partially extending out over the water.

Earlier this year, quite suddenly, miles of shoreline were made easily and safely available to the public with the opening of the walkway over the railroad tracks from the Chambers Bay Properties..taking this walk will be truly a "WOW" experience. Take your eyes off the magnificent mountain, water and island view and look at what is beneath your feet!

Coming into Chambers Bay is almost like entering a sanctuary, with eagles, dear, otters, birds, fish. You name it. It's available for all to see, if you just take a moment to stop by the bridge, and take in the wonder of it all.

Upstream of the bridge and dam, although still a water storage lagoon for the county and the mill, you will find what has become one of the finest skim boarding sites in the Northwest. This area will be further developed by the county, according to its master plan, for more public access., extending on upstream.

You will then come upon Kobayashi Park, accessed from 67th Ave W and Chambers Creek Road. Here again, you will feel like you are in a different place, a wilderness of sorts, at the intersection of Chambers Creek and Leech Creek. From here, the area no longer meets the definition of the shoreline guidelines, but you are tempted to explore further!

The goal of the committee is to preserve property owner's rights, while fostering public access and preserving and restoring the shoreline. The meetings are open to the public, and are held the first Thursday evening of the month.

I encourage you to "overlook" from land no more, go down to the sea, and follow the stream. Contemplate the wonder of it all!