Nominations open for local design awards

Is there a new building in your neighborhood that really catches the eye? An outstanding public facility or beautiful, beneficial environmental project? A commercial building that rises above the typical?

The county-sponsored Community Pride Design Awards program is now accepting nominations for outstanding development projects that enhance the community. Projects completed between June 2007 and June 2008 are eligible. A public awards ceremony will be held in November.

The nomination deadline is Aug. 15. Nomination forms are online at www.clark.wa.gov/commdev/prideawardsN.html or by contacting Susan Ellinger at 360-397-2375, ext. 5122.

More than 100 projects — commercial, industrial and residential developments, public facilities and environmental restoration efforts — have been honored since the awards were established in 1996.

PACIFIC PARK

Long-awaited park finished at last

It took years longer than anybody initially expected, thanks to zoning, budgetary and environmental concerns, but now it’s finally done: Pacific Community Park is open for business — and a party.

On Aug. 2, the 56-acre recreation area will be celebrated with a daylong dedication event. It starts at 9:30 a.m. with a dedication of the off-leash dog area that’s a distinctive feature of this park — in honor of Dakota, the Vancouver police dog who was shot and killed in October while tracking an armed suspect. There’ll be a dog fashion show at 10 a.m.

From 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. there will be games and activities for children; at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., guided tree-identification walks; at noon a park dedication and free community picnic; and BMX bicycling and skateboarding contests at the park’s “extreme” sports area throughout the day. Helmets are required.

Pacific Community Park is on the south side of Northeast 18th Street between 164th and 172nd avenues. Parking is on the east and west ends of the park. For information, call Jilayne Jordan at 360-397-6118, ext. 4949.