Mosier Celebration

Over 150 people gathered in downtown Mosier Friday afternoon, Nov. 3, to mark the award of a $500,000 Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area grant for recreation improvements.

The event was organized by the Columbia Gorge Recreation Coalition, a gorge-wide group which supports low-impact recreation projects and improved Columbia River access.

Gay Jervey, coalition partner representing the City of Mosier, greeted U.S. Senator Gordon H. Smith who joined the celebration and participated in a ceremonial handing over of a facsimile check to Jurgen Hess, USDA Forest Service and Brian Litt, Columbia Gorge Commission staff planner.

Also accepting the grant was Mosier's Mayor Matthew Koerner and city council members Iva Harmon and Andrea Rogers, the sparkplugs behind the city's efforts to gain funding.

Staff members from Senator Gordon's office and from Congressman Greg Walden's Office also attended.

The Columbia Gorge Recreation Coalition was aided early on by U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and his staff. Members of the Oregon and Washington congressional delegations have all been enthusiastic supporters of the Coalition.

The Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association, Oregon and Washington State Parks, US Windsurfing Association, US Army Corps of Engineers, City of Mosier, Native Plant Society of Oregon, Oregon Department of Transportation, Washington and Oregon Fish and Wildlife, Skamania County and Skamania Parks and Recreation have all been active partners in the coalition.

The coalition proposed to the Gorge Commission a project to fund five recreational sites, and the commission vigorously approved and supported the project in its budget recommendation to Congress.

To date, two sites have received funding from Congress (Mosier in Oregon and Drano Lake in Washington).

The three other sites are: Viento and West Mayer State Parks in Oregon and the Spring Creek Hatchery State Park in Washington.

The Mosier celebration honored the work of all the partners in achieving funding for Mosier's Waterfront. It was also an opportunity to thank supporters of the project including the Mosier Alliance, the Gorge Trust, Friends of the Columbia River Gorge and Columbia River United.

Diane Barkhimer, Executive Director of Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association (CGWA), said the event was an unqualified success.

"I think it will remain in everyone's mind as a beautiful afternoon celebrating a happy event -- the funding of a large family recreation facility within Mosier's urban area." she said.

Fred Noble, a longtime leader of volunteer work crews for CGWA and a dedicated contributor to access projects stated. "We can't wait to get to work!"

The event was concluded with a charming entertainment medley provided by the family of Robin and Bryan Despain. The six Despain children, J.J., Trent, Kandis, Chrysta, Angela and Lauryn performed the perfect ending to a memorable occasion.

The Columbia Gorge Recreation Coalition will continue its efforts to seek funding through the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area recreation grant process until Spring Creek Hatchery State Park in Washington, Viento and West Mayer State Parks in Oregon, and the Mosier Waterfront sites are completed.