2021-2022 Community Impact Report - Report - Page 20
The Friends Harbor Hill Environmental Sanctuary (FHHES) is a sponsored project under the Foundation's
umbrella, and for which GGHF is the legal and fiduciary agent.
Located in North Gig Harbor's Harbor Hill community, is a two-section detention settlement pond created
to serve the surrounding development. The 15+ acre Sanctuary project, envisioned by a forward-looking
group at Heron's Key senior living community, will ensure restoration of lands surrounding the ponds,
which were disturbed during development of the area. The Harbor Hill Environmental Sanctuary envisions
the transformation of one of our city’s largest water retention pond systems into a nature park with special
amenities designed to serve both people and nature.
After five-plus years of hard work, the FHHES Board is making progress in educating and gaining support to
educate and gain support from public officials and various stakeholder groups on the vision for the park. In 2022
we made great strides toward the realization of our dream. The pesky issue of removal of the goldfish in the ponds
was finally accomplished to the satisfaction of state officials! Permit review is underway as 2022 comes to a close.
As we enter 2023, we are excited to announce that our initial fundraising goals have all been reached, the planning is now completed, agreements
with the stakeholders have been negotiated, contractors are on board, final construction plans have been drafted, and the formal application for the
permits needed for the park to be built now simply awaits the city’s final review and approval. We are now looking forward to the months ahead
with great anticipation and excitement.
Uniquely, about 85% of the raised funds has come through private donations by Heron's Key residents --what a community legacy it will be!
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