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Yakima Canyon Scenic Byway Interpretive Center
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Back in 1999 when KEEN was founded we had a dream to build a Natural History Center somewhere in the county. We looked around a lot and finally found an unloved state park just south of Ellensburg. So, several years ago, KEEN signed a 30-year lease with State Parks to develop a center at Helen McCabe State Park (see images to the right).
Helen McCabe State Park is an undeveloped park located at the gateway to the Yakima Canyon Scenic Byway (SR 821) just 2 miles south of Ellensburg. Named as a memorial to a professor of recreation at Central Washington University, the park contains many wonderful outdoor recreation and education opportunities. Bordered on the south by Wilson/Cherry Creek and on the north by Thrall Road, the 64 acre park is home to a number of impressive Ponderosa Pine trees, an 8 acre stocked pond, and a small patch of prickly pear cactus.
Over the past several years KEEN, the Kittitas County Field and Stream Club, WA Department of Fish and Wildlife, WSU Extension and other community groups have been investing in habitat restoration efforts on the site. A portion of the park was seeded with native grasses last year, nearly 200 ponderosa pine seedlings were planted this spring, and KEEN recently received a grant to plant native forbes this fall.
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Recent Efforts and How You Can Become Involved
Members of KEEN have submitted several grant applications since 2008 to support creation of the Yakima Canyon Scenic Byway Interpretive Center to be located at Helen McCabe Park. There are several exciting things happening that we are actively pursuing and moving forward with.
Application to the Scenic Byway Program
In the Spring of 2008 and the Spring of 2009, KEEN submitted a grant applications to the state scenic byway program which funnels federal highway funds through to high ranking projects.
We received funding for a master plan from our 2008 grant request and are currently workign through that process with the members of the YRCSB Committee. We expect to complete the master plan by December 2011.
KEEN was also the recipient of Transportation Enhancement funding from the WSDOT through recent stimulus funding.The $50,000 project was completed in October 2009 in partnership with Kittitas County and WSDOT. KEEN is currently exploring the transfer of the park to Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Additionally, through our partnership with the Kittitas County Field and Stream Club we are working on improvements to the fishing pond and surrounding habitat. We received a grant for riparian plantings which will go in this fall and next spring on the Wilson Creek side of the park.
How You Can Help
Do you have experience working at a nature center? Are you an educator with aspirations for an outdoor learning venue? Do you have experience with landscape architecture? Are you a fundraiser or friendraiser?
Please email kittitasee@gmail.com if you have interest in joining the YRCSB Committee.
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| Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byway Interpretive Center - Building A |
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| Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byway Interpretive Center - Site Plan at Helen McCabe Park |
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March 2010 Helen McCabe Restoration Project
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October 2009
Helen McCabe Parking Lot Project
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Thanks to all our incredible volunteers for a great workparty!
Megan, Beth, Craig, Ali, Gordon, Bill, Marte, Stan, Stefanie, Rex, Micah, Joe, Jill, Nathaniel and Serena!
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