By Dennis Box, The Courier-Herald

Lake Tapps North Park is scheduled to get a $500,000 facelift in a couple of weeks.

The park will be closed until May 29 for the first phase of renovations, which includes the construction of two loading docks and a third boat ramp. Also, there will be access road and parking lot improvements.

"We're trying to improve public safety at the boat launch and ramp and in the parking area," said Project Manager Jon Ortgiesen of Pierce County Parks and Recreation.

The loading docks will be about 40 feet long and will allow two or three boats at a time to tie up.

The road and parking area improvements will include roundabouts to help the traffic flow and lane stripping on the access road and in the parking area.

"We're trying to stop the confusion, help traffic move through the area and make the park a safer place," Ortgiesen said. "Once people drive in, it will be a straight shot. They won't have to back up except for launching their boat."

The second phase will see construction of a marina to provide a demarcation between the lake and the boat launch area.

"Possibly floating docks or rock groins will be used to cut the flow of wave action," Ortgiesen said. "It's very windy out there so we will have to use an expert to find out what's best to construct."

Along with the marina, a separate area for jet skis will be constructed in the second phase of renovations.

Boettcher Construction of Eatonville was chosen as the contractor for the renovations.

Funds for the project came from a grant awarded to Pierce County by the state's Interagency Committee forOutdoor Recreation.