Pierce County has received two state grants totaling more than $600,000 for renovating its Spanaway Park boat launch and for extending the Cushman Trail in the Gig Harbor area. Both grants were awarded by the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation.

A $332,650 matching grant will be used for improving an existing concrete boat launch and adjoining bulkhead, constructing a walking trail, and widening the boat ramp access road and parking lot. Total estimated project cost is $665,301 with Pierce County Parks and Recreation providing $332,651. The work covered by the grant is part of a three-year Spanaway Park renovation program totaling more than $2.5 million.

A $273,200 matching grant will be used to help construct a four-mile extension of the Cushman Trail along the north side of SR 16 from the Pioneer Way interchange to the Borgen Boulevard interchange. The project is scheduled for completion in 2007 and a cost of $1.27 million. Pierce County will provide approximately $900,000 and the City of Gig Harbor, $100,000. In the first phase three years ago, the trail was constructed from a point near the Narrows Bridge to Pioneer Way.