The Des Moines Beach Park Dining Hall, built in 1934, located in Covenant Beach Bible Camp Historic District  (former home to the City’s Senior Services) has been closed since 2002 due to the Nisqually Earthquake and Des Moines Creek flood damage.  Since that time the City of Des Moines has worked extensively with federal, state, King County and heritage leaders to save, preserve and reopen this iconic building.  The Dining Hall will reopen on July 1, 2015, 4:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.
 
    The Dining Hall was designed by Marvel Johnson, a former camper and one of the first female graduates of the University of Washington School of Architecture.    The Covenant Beach Bible Camp Historic District consists of eight rustic craftsman style camp buildings influenced by Swedish heritage and located within the eighteen acre Des Moines Beach Park at 22030 Cliff Avenue South in Des Moines. The setting includes Des Moines Creek which opens onto the saltwater beach of Puget Sound, archaeological components, natural features and a system of paths and trails connecting to the Des Moines Marina.
    
    Credti goes to the champions that worked with the City of Des Moines to save this resource by providing matching funds totaling $1,934,000 include: 4Culture, King County Preservation Office, Washington Department of Commerce and Economic Development, Washington Historic Commission and Washington Heritage Capital Fund  with leadership by former Gov. Christine Gregoire, State Senator Karen Keiser and State Representatives Tina Orwall and Dave Upthegrove, and King County Executive Dow Constantine. 
    Praise goes to the people and organizations that advocated tirelessly to save this resource include: Artifacts, Des Moines Creek Basin Committee, Des Moines Historical Society, Des Moines Landmarks Commission, Des Moines Legacy Foundation, Northwest Covenant Church Council, Seattle Southside Visitors Services, Washington Department of Archeology,  Historic Preservation, and, especially  to the current and past Des Moines Mayor and City Council’s who’s vision for the City is: An inviting, livable, safe waterfront community embracing change for the future while preserving our past.  Lastly, this project would not have come to pass with the tireless leadership, dedication and passion of former Council members Carmen Scott and Susan White.