A restoration project at Ala Spit is now complete and the popular county park is again open to the public.

In September, work crews began removing rip-rap at the neck of the spit next to the parking lot to address a complex erosion problem. The project was expected to last through October but was finished nearly two weeks ahead of time, according to an Island County Public Health news release.

Heavy boulders and chunks of concrete were placed at the spit in the 1960s to help combat the effects of erosion. However, it was later determined that they were actually worsening the problem.

According to the news release, the recently completed work will not only prevent further erosion of the spit but also preserve public access and improve habitat conditions for juvenile salmon and natural ecosystem processes.

Further work, including the removal of a concrete bulkhead and rock groin, is also planned but is funding dependent.