A $300,000 USD funding request has been submitted to Pierce County officials to support the restoration of Lakebay Marina, a historic site located on the Key Peninsula in Washington state, USA. The project aims to preserve the marina’s heritage and restore public access to the waterfront facility.
Lakebay Marina sits on Mayo Cove across from Penrose Point State Park and features a building dating back to 1928. The pier, first built in 1884, was once a stop for the Mosquito Fleet, a fleet of small steamships that connected communities throughout Puget Sound.
According to a report by Lisa Bryan of Key Peninsula News, the Recreational Boaters Association of Washington (RBAW) Marine Parks Conservancy requested the funds from Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello’s office on 23 June 2025. The money would begin the necessary repair and replacement of creosote-treated pilings and other infrastructure to safely reopen the pier to the public.
The Lakebay Marina Citizens Advisory Committee, formed by Key Peninsula residents including members of the local historical society, expressed support for the funding request. In an email to county officials, the committee highlighted the marina’s significance for both boaters and non-boaters, underscoring its role as an important part of local history.
The restoration of Lakebay Marina aligns with ongoing efforts to preserve the site’s ecological and cultural values. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which owns the marina property, along with RBAW and other partners, has planned shoreline restoration to begin in July 2025. The project includes removing pollutants, improving public access and protecting habitats for aquatic species in Mayo Cove.
Future plans for Lakebay Marina also include support for various activities, such as boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming and crabbing, alongside efforts to restore habitats in Mayo Cove, which is home to kelp beds, eelgrass and species important to salmon and shellfish.
Lakebay Marina’s restoration has a long history of community and state involvement. The marina and 2.8 acres of upland and tideland were purchased jointly by DNR and the RBAW Marine Parks Conservancy in 2021, funded largely through a $1.76 million Boating Facilities Program Grant from the state Recreation and Conservation Office. The purchase followed years of uncertainty when the marina faced regulatory and structural challenges that threatened its public status.
Community engagement continues to be a priority, with recent efforts including public surveys to gather input on the marina’s redevelopment.
