Today I’ll tell you about the entrance to the Dungeness Recreation Area (DRA). To accommodate increased usage of the DRA by recreational vehicles, planners envisions adding a turnout lane at this part of Lotzgesell Road in front of the Recreation Area. The entrance is marked here by the blue sign on the right.
Inside the park the current road will be realigned to accommodate moving walking paths away from the eroding bluffs.
Yesterday I told you about 45 new RV campsites that have been proposed in the park. This roadwork is envisioned to accommodate increased traffic as campsite numbers grow from 66 to 111. The additional campsites have the potential of generating considerably more traffic on local roads. Presently, at full occupancy, the 66 campsites generate 132 vehicle trips in and out of the park. In one month of full occupancy that could be close to 4,000 vehicle arrival/departure trips, not counting additional trips to visit local attractions, restaurants and stores. Add in another 45 campsites and there are 222 vehicle arrival/departure trips. In one month of full occupancy that could total over 6,660 trips. At an estimated 80% occupancy rate over the course of a summer, this could total over 16,000 vehicle trips in and out of the park. Admittedly, these figures are seat-of-the-pants calculations as a single vehicle can arrive and stay put for several days; similarly, others might come and go.
In the distance, where you see the power poles on the left, the road has long been intended for realignment to ease its curve from Kitchen-Dick Road. Although it is not an inherently dangerous curve, there was a fatal accident there last October, followed within a couple of months by two additional rollover accidents.
Many locals have not been aware of the Master Plan Update. I am focusing my blog on it in hopes of informing more park users of this process. The comment period on the Master Plan Update has been extended to March 23. Click here to see a map showing the location of the new campsites. Click here to see the realignment of the bluff trail. Click here for information on how to comment.
To my blog followers from out of the area, please bear with me. I’ll be back to my briefer posts by the weekend.
I think you are absolutely right. As is usual in this country, most of what is done, even by our government entities is done for the benefit of the few, the gifting of the rich. Under da Trumpf, of course, it has gotten worse and what he hasn’t done himself or by his minions, others have seen the enormous potential of robbing the government coffers. This whole thing stinks.
I understand the moving paths away from eroding bluffs Kay, but honestly shouldn’t it rather be book ahead to make sure you have a campsite, if you are too late move on, make a different plan and go somewhere else.. not increase the number of campsites!
Looking at that roadway, you can see where it might be problematic for accidents.
All that extra traffic could be very problematic to the area.