The County Lands Management division of Clark County Public Works will begin a forest health thinning project at Spud Mountain this summer. Approximately 30% of the forest will be selectively thinned to improve forest health. Timber harvested from the site will supply local markets and generate modest revenue. That revenue will be reinvested in stewardship activities and ongoing forest management operations.

Clark County is seeking public comment on the Parks and Nature Capital Improvement Plan. The proposed six-year plan includes major maintenance projects, recreation enhancements at existing parks, and the development of new parks. Projects in the plan address needs identified in the 2022 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan, which was created with input from the community and adopted by the Clark County Council in April 2022. 

New projects and programs in the proposed Parks Capital Improvement Plan include: 

Clark County Public Works reminds local drivers that summer is the season for road preservation projects. Several methods are used to preserve roadway surfaces and to protect the county’s transportation infrastructure. Work to apply cape seal, slurry seal, chip seal and hot mix asphalt can cause traffic delays and road closures. 

Clark County Public Works is converting the existing stop-sign-controlled intersection at Northeast Ward and Davis roads to a single-lane roundabout. This intersection was the site of 44 crashes between 2015 and 2025. Twelve crashes resulted in injuries. Most of the crashes involved left turns, collisions with fixed objects, or were rear-end collisions. Roundabouts reduce the incidence of these types of collisions. This project will improve traffic safety and accommodate the area’s increasing traffic. 

Today, Clark County and partners celebrated the construction of a new community park with a groundbreaking ceremony. Curtin Creek Community Park, located in Brush Prairie, is expected to open to the community in spring 2026.

Clark County Public Works is seeking applicants for an open volunteer park host position at Captain William Clark Regional Park at Cottonwood Beach. Volunteer park hosts live at their assigned park and assist with creating a safe and welcoming environment for all visitors. This popular 75-acre site includes 3.1 miles of easy trail that runs along a dike paralleling the Columbia River and features spectacular views of Mount Hood, along with beach and water access at Cottonwood Beach, restrooms, historic interpretive elements and reservable picnic shelters.

Clark County Public Works, Parks and Nature is beginning construction on a parking lot and safety improvement project at Harmony Sports Complex. 

This summer, 200 paved parking stalls will be added, drive lanes in the parking lot will be paved, and a new access point will be constructed at the intersection of Northeast 192nd Avenue and Northeast 13th Street.

Clark County is performing required maintenance on more than one mile of track on the county-owned Chelatchie Prairie Railroad, from milepost 23.16 to milepost 24.3. The project also includes tree trimming and clearing brush and vegetation. 

As the railroad's owner, the county is required by law to maintain the infrastructure to meet regulatory requirements. 

Every summer, drivers encounter work zones on state highways and local roads. Increasingly, driver behavior is making work zones more dangerous for everyone. The top three causes of work zone collisions in 2024 were following too closely, excessive speed, and inattention or distracted driving. 

Clark County is partnering with The Cowlitz Indian Tribe to restore habitat and provide nature-based recreational opportunities at the Gordy Jolma Family Natural Area in Brush Prairie. The property was part of the former Cedars on Salmon Creek golf course. It was purchased in 2022 by the County’s Legacy Lands program. The program, funded by the Conservation Futures levy, provides funding to preserve lands highly valued for habitat, scenic corridors, and low-impact recreation. These properties enhance the native landscape treasured by locals.