Warrenton public picnic celebrates public spaces

Published 7:06 am Wednesday, April 16, 2014

WARRENTON Art activities and folk musicians will help celebrate Public Spaces for the Public at a free community picnic in Warrentons city park Saturday, April 19. People of all ages who love the regions rich natural heritage are invited to attend. Picnickers will meet at the tables at the covered shelter rain or shine – from noon to 2 pm. The park is located at 170 S.W. 3rd St., behind the Warrenton Community Center.

Picnickers should bring their own lunches. Event planners encourage attendees to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets. Dessert and punch will be provided by the events sponsor, Columbia Pacific Common Sense. CPCS is the North Coast organization leading local opposition to the liquefied natural gas export terminal proposed for the Skipanon Peninsula in Warrenton.

Even though the peninsula is only sand on top of fill, its a great place for hiking, ATVs, bird-watching, fishing and more, said Cheryl Johnson, the event coordinator. The Skipanon Peninsula is a public space owned by the state of Oregon and leased to the Port of Astoria. We will lose a unique public open space if that LNG terminal is built.

In addition to the entertainment, Dan Serres, conservation director of Columbia Riverkeeper, will present updates on the status of the proposed terminal to ship North American natural gas to Asia. Local residents will talk briefly about the impact of the terminal and its proposed 3-foot diameter high-pressure pipeline on their lives and property.

Anyone curious about the site itself is invited to take a guided walk to see where Oregon LNG wants to build on the peninsula. Warrenton resident Tessa James Scheller will lead a fairly level walk, following a recognized city and Port of Astoria dedicated trail that includes the signage, Warrenton Waterfront Trail.

Walkers should meet at 8:45 a.m. in the parking lot at the northeast end of the Premarq Center, at the west end of the Youngs Bay Bridge, just off U.S. Highway 101. The walk will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Cameras, water and waterproof shoes and clothing are recommended. For more information about the picnic or walk, contact Johnson at 503-458-6910.