Port Townsend authorizes RCO grant application for Hancock Street Park, agrees to $50,000 local match if awarded

On May 11 the Port Townsend City Council authorized staff to submit a Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program application requesting the maximum $500,000 for Hancock Street Park in the Castle Hill/Southwest neighborhood, and authorized the city manager to accept and carry out the grant if the city is awarded funds.

Parks and facilities manager Michael Todd described the roughly three‑quarter‑acre site adjacent to an assisted‑living facility, noted it lies in an underserved census area (which qualifies the project for a reduced local match), and said the city’s group is eligible for a 10% match. “We’re asking for $500,000, which is the full amount that we can ask from RCO,” Todd said; that would obligate the city to provide a $50,000 match if the grant is awarded.

Staff explained the application will incorporate accessible surfacing, ADA‑compliant routes and parking options; the plan includes community engagement, adjustments in response to historic and site constraints, and coordination with cultural‑resource requirements in the RCO process. Staff described the award timeline: technical reviews and presentations in August 2026 and an awards list in October 2026, with construction in 2028 if funded.

Council moved and approved Resolution 26010 authorizing application submittal and granting the city manager authority to carry out the grant. Council members asked follow‑up questions about parking location and the need for a permanent, fire‑resistant restroom structure versus portable units; staff said those details would be further developed if the grant is awarded.

Next steps: submit the RCO application, continue community engagement, and return to council with grant outcome and design details if awarded.