Washougal mulls changes to Shepherd Road project after neighbors voice concernsSubscriber Exclusive

The city of Washougal is mulling possible design changes to its project to improve Shepherd Road, which has elicited criticism from residents concerned about impacts to Sandy Swimming Hole, a popular recreational destination that draws people from all over the Portland metropolitan area.

Several Shepherd Road residents claim the project will attract many more people to the Sandy Swimming Hole, causing increased crime, camping, garbage, health concerns and challenges for the Washougal Police Department.

“We understand that many residents along Shepherd Road have expressed concerns,” said Michele Loftus, the city’s communications manager. “While the project will proceed, we are committed to making adjustments where possible to lessen neighborhood impacts and respond to resident input.”

The $4.34 million project launched in August. It’s scheduled to begin construction in 2026. It will enhance accessibility to Sandy Swimming Hole, improve pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, formalize parking, and address long-standing concerns about speeding, drainage and public safety, according to the city.

The project will widen Shepherd Road to accommodate a shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists. It will also add on-street parking to replace informal shoulder parking.

“While not everyone may personally use the park, safer streets and traffic-calming measures, such as those planned along the entire Shepherd Road corridor, provide direct and measurable benefits to the neighborhood, including safer access to schools and churches,” Loftus said. “This project also aligns with the city’s long-term goal of improving safe connections between neighborhoods and local amenities.”

Shepherd Road is a two-lane collector between Washougal River Road and Northeast Third Avenue. Sandy Swimming Hole sits midway along the stretch of road between North 12th Street and Fourth Court.

The only access to the park is off Shepherd Road, which has a parking lot of about 20 spaces. The surrounding area lacks sidewalks and bike connections, and often draws visitors who are forced to illegally park on shoulders, within the roadway, and in the surrounding neighborhoods.

“The core purpose of this project is to improve safety along Shepherd Road, which currently lacks sidewalks and adequate pedestrian or bike infrastructure,” Loftus said. “These improvements will benefit all users — drivers, walkers, cyclists, and especially the residents who live along or travel through the corridor.”

‘We like our privacy’

Washougal resident David Sampson Jr. told the Washougal City Council on Sept. 8 that Shepherd Road residents oppose the project, which he believes will only benefit Sandy Swimming Hole visitors. He also claimed that the project will bring more traffic to an already busy two-lane road and raise taxes.

“We like our privacy,” Sampson told Washougal leaders. “We like our little two-lane country road, and we want you to leave Shepherd Road alone.”

Washougal resident Mark Delong expressed concerns about increased usage of the Sandy Swimming Hole, which he said will create parking problems, litter, vandalism, homelessness, and crime. His wife, Danyelle Delong, said that “56 added parking spots along the side of the road is going to be absolutely detrimental to our city, to that road, and to the neighborhoods.”

“I don’t see this tiny swimming hole needing to be more attractive by adding 56 parking spaces,” Washougal resident Tracie Hedges added. “I would like the engineering of this project to be revisited and scaled back to meet the needs of our neighborhood so that it doesn’t bring so many people here.”

Loftus said the project “will add only a modest number of new parking spots, not enough to significantly increase visitation to Sandy Swimming Hole.”

Doug Flanagan: 360-735-4669; doug.flanagan@columbian.com