Gordy Jolma Family Natural Area

The 118-acre Gordy Jolma Family Natural Area is adjacent to the Salmon-Morgan Creeks Natural Area and supports regional open space, water quality, and salmon recovery goals. The property, formerly the Cedars on Salmon Creek golf course, was acquired by Clark County in 2022 with funding from Legacy Lands and Clean Water.

The Cowlitz Indian Tribe completed a 30% habitat restoration design for the site. Clark County is currently working toward adopting the master plan, which will guide future recreational improvements and habitat restoration efforts. The plan is scheduled for county council review on June 10. 

Future phases of the project will continue to be guided by public engagement and coordination with community stakeholders and partner agencies. Information about opportunities for input and status updates will be posted to this webpage. 

Master Plan Figure (English)
Master Plan Figure (Spanish)
Master Plan Figure (Russian)
Master Plan Figure (Ukrainian)

Master Plan Birdseye Illustration (English)
Master Plan Birdseye Illustration (Spanish)
Master Plan Birdseye Illustration (Russian)
Master Plan Birdseye Illustration (Ukrainian)

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Update 4/21: Two pedestrian bridges in the area have been identified as unsafe for public use. These bridges and two golf-ball net structures will be removed as part of a safety project. Some access may change where the structures connect to private property.

During work to remove the structures, visitors may encounter construction activities. Please stay clear of all work sites and follow posted signs and barriers to ensure your safety and the safety of the workers.

Gordy Jolma Family Natural Area Park Plan and Environmental Restoration design

Page Contents (Jump to Sections)

Open House - October 29

Thank you for joining us at the October 29 open house to learn more about the Gordy Jolma Family Natural Area. A recording of the meeting has been posted.

Materials are available in Spanish, Russian and Ukrainian. To request interpretation, translation or accommodations, please contact the project manager. 

Previously recorded video of the October 29 open house:
 

 

Open House Presentation (English)
Open House Presentation (Spanish)
Open House Presentation (Russian)
Open House Presentation (Ukrainian)

Meeting Minutes from Oct. 29 Open House

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Thank you for joining us at the April 24 open house to learn more about the Gordy Jolma Family Natural Area.

Materials are available in Spanish, Russian and Ukrainian. To request interpretation, translation or accommodations, please contact the project manager. 

Open House Minutes (PDF)

Open House Presentation (PDF)
Open House Presentation - Spanish (PDF)
Open House Presentation - Russian (PDF)
Open House Presentation - Ukrainian (PDF)

Open House Concepts (PDF)
Open House Concepts Spanish (PDF)
Open House Concepts Ukrainian (PDF)
Open House Concepts Russian (PDF)

March 2025 Open House Flyer, English (PDF)
March 2025 Open House Flyer, Spanish (PDF)
March 2025 Open House Flyer, Ukrainian (PDF)
March 2025 Open House Flyer, Russian (PDF)

About The Project

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Salmon Creek provides critical spawning and rearing habitat for populations of fall chinook, coho and chum salmon, and winter steelhead.

This project supports the County’s goals of conservation under the Legacy Lands program. The Legacy Lands program (Clark County’s Conservation Futures Program) protects natural lands highly valued for habitat, scenic corridors, low-impact recreation and other qualities that enhance our local environment.

The Cowlitz Indian Tribe secured grant funding from the Salmon Recovery Funding Board to develop a preliminary restoration design.

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The goal of this project is to return the property to a more natural state and improve nature-based recreational opportunities like walking, birdwatching, fishing, picnicking and cultural and environmental education.

In partnership with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, fish habitat and environmental restoration improvements may include increasing floodplain resiliency and improving shoreline stability. This will focus on fish passage improvements along two miles of Salmon Creek. The Cowlitz Indian Tribe secured grant funding from the Salmon Recovery Funding Board to develop a preliminary restoration design. The design process began in 2024 with preliminary data collection and surveys assessing the site’s conditions, limiting factors, stream flow dynamics and surrounding infrastructure. 

Project timeline

Design: 2024-2026

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The County will work closely with the tribe to incorporate the restoration design into the recreational plan. Planning is anticipated to take one to two years and will involve public engagement and communication with community stakeholders. Read the news release announcing the partnership at https://clark.wa.gov/public-works/county-and-cowlitz-indian-tribe-kick-partnership-improve-recreational-opportunities.  

Property Background

Previously recorded video:


Mailers

October 2025 Open House Mailer (PDF)
April 2025 Open House Mailer (PDF)
February 2024 Heads up (PDF)

Hours

7 am to dusk

Related information

Location

15051 NE 181st Street
Brush Prairie, WA 98606
United States