City Parks Director Gary Robinson said "We live in a wonderful community and we will have to have a nice celebration to honor all those who contributed."
In fact, the latest tally shows that $282,503 has been received by the Anacortes Parks Foundation and the city, with at least another $40,000 expected from the county, the Department of Land & Natural Resources and from Lonely Forest.
Robinson said he still doesn't have the exact cost, but expects it to come in a little over $300,000 by the time all the bills come in. He said there are still small expenses yet to be spent, including for security cameras and thank you's for the donors.
A large section of the trestle across Fidalgo Bay was heavily damaged by a fire last October 14. The exact cause has ever been determined, but the police suspect arson. No one suspects have ever been identified.
The Tommy Thompson Parkway and the trestle have become attractions for the community. The paved parkway runs from downtown Anacortes to March Point along Q Ave, then cuts across commercial property to 35th St., where it goes along the Fidalgo Bay waterfront, through an RV park and across the bay.