A Quilcene man is busy making Quilcene better.

The upkeep of the grounds surrounding Quilcene Community Center, including the county-owned campground, has been taken on by volunteer Clayton White, campground maintenance coordinator and host.

White has been operating the campground for the past three summers, and winters as well.

“The campground has had another very successful year, with over $3,300 in revenues from camping,” said White. “This represents a 50 percent increase every year for the last three years since it was reopened.”

These funds go toward campground maintenance, including replacement of the damaged playground slide, at a cost of about $2,000, said White. That slide will probably be installed close to spring, he said.

White is working to maintain the revenue, and the sense of established activity through the seasons, by picking up fallen limbs and maintaining sites, which are currently being used.

“There’s been a lot of blowdown from the fir trees,” he reported.

Recently, White took part in the Quilcene Garden Club’s project to help restore lawn and landscaping adjacent to the community center and playground. He used his tractor to help pull out some dying trees, to be replaced with new specimens by the work party.

“The Garden Club work helps restore the community and ties people together. They did a great job, and that helps enhance everything in the area,” said White.

Another project White has taken on is the resurfacing of the sport court, with an estimated cost of $22,000.

The sport court, consisting of a tennis court and skateboard park, has a cracked, deteriorating and uneven surface, said White.

White said he has registered with the state as a nonprofit, and established a dedicated nonprofit business account at U.S. Bank in Quilcene. White appreciates all the local donations specifically for the sport court, and more are needed.

“We have over $3,200 collected so far,” he said. “Stop by and donate to Quilcene Sport Court Fund if you want to help restore one of Quilcene’s foundational longtime assets.”

The sport court, along with campground and community center, provides healthful recreation, free for all ages, and brings in people to enjoy the downtown and its services, notes White. It benefits local business through shopping and food sales, he notes.

“And don’t forget, you can have your name on the donor board right on the sport court fence,” reminds White.

It’s a welcome sign of good things happening.