Kitsap County Public Works – Stormwater Division won the Top Project award for its 113-acre Whispering Firs Stormwater Park project. Storm Water Solutions (SWS) presented the award to Kitsap County at its annual conference. Winning projects were selected based on innovation, collaboration with engineers, architects and professionals and overcoming challenges.

Whispering Firs Stormwater Park was once a vacant trailer park that was transformed into a multi-functional and beautiful space designed to filter and clean pollutants from stormwater. The stormwater park also doubles as a recreational space for residents with walking paths and picnic benches. The park uses green treatment techniques in a functional and innovative way. Features such as round cement circles serve as both a hydraulic system and a beautiful seating area for visitors. Native plantings, the preservation of mature trees and visible underground bio-retention cells all beckon visitors to learn and see stormwater treatment in action. The $4 million project treats total suspended solids, total petroleum hydrocarbons, metals and nutrients and controls water flows to Clear Creek.

Chris May, Senior Program Manager for the Stormwater Division explains, “Gone are the days of building simple stormwater projects. We need to think green, be innovative, and design for multifunctional community use.”

Whispering Firs Stormwater Park is located at 12300 Silverdale Way and opened to the public in June 2019.

Media Contact:  Michelle Perdue, Monitoring and Outreach Manager, 360.337.5777 or mperdue@co.kitsap.wa.us