2003 - 2008 Progress Report
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission has identified 11 goals for Centennial 2013.
This report shows progress toward those 11 goals.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission adopted the Centennial 2013 Plan to prepare the
park system for a second century of service and a 100-year celebration in 2013. The Plan’s three
priorities – fix what we have; upgrade existing parks, trails and services; and build new parks and
trails for the future – are reflected in 11 goals The Commission adopted for completion by 2013.
This annual report shows cumulative progress on these goals through December, 2008.
Following are archived progress reports.
Goal No. 1 – Stewardship
All 121 state parks have land-use plans supported by the public and commission . . .so that citizens
can participate in park planning and understand and support the care of their parks and environment.
Progress: 58 of 121 state parks had land-use plans supported by the public and
Commission at the end of 2008.
Parks
Public helps with park plans: This planning meeting for Lake Sammamish State
Park is one example of the public planning process State Parks uses to identify land uses and
develop classification and management plans for all parks. The inclusive process builds public interest
and encourages participation. The resulting plans help park managers provide appropriate public recreation while caring
for natural and cultural resources. To comment on park planning processes under way or to view
completed plans and public comment, visit www.parks.wa.gov/plans/.
Goal No. 2 – Enjoyment, health and learning
All 121 state parks have community events and interpretive programs . . . so that citizens
understand that parks are places to enjoy healthy recreation and learn about Washington’s history
and cultural heritage.
Progress: 71 of 121 state parks had both community events and interpretive programs in 2008.
Parks
Fun and education: Programs such as State Parks’ Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks, in
partnership with the Washington State Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Washington State Parks Foundation,
offer visitors a diverse array of exciting cultural programs. Park staff work hard to provide
visitors a sense of discovery and environmental education, through interesting campfire programs
and nature walks. In 2008, State Parks staff presented more than 42,000
interpretive programs to an estimated 155,000 visitors.
Goal No. 3 – Public service
The public will rate agency public service "B+" or better on surveys . . . so that the
Commission can guage citizen confidence in the management of the park system and help to assure
accountabililty.
- In a 2008 Responsive Management scientific survey, 1,200 respondents gave
Washington State Parks an overall rating of "B+" or better on questions relating to satisfaction
and quality of services and facilities in their state parks. (2008 Survey.pdf - 686kb PDF)
Parks a popular destination – The 2008 survey contracted by Washington State Parks showed
that more than 70% of Washington residents had visited a state park within the previous
two years and thought the Commission did a good job managing their park system. The Commission
is committed to investing in its employees with training, recognition and advancement opportunities
that contribute to the delivery of excellent service to the public.
Goal No. 4 – Facilities
Improve the old, well-loved park system . . . so that citizens have safe and modern parks.
Deferred maintenance progress: By the end of 2008, 2,122 of 2,987 ($24.29 million of $40 million) deferred maintenance and equipment replacement backlog items were eliminated from State Parks' original 2001 "deferred maintenance" backlog list.
Cumulative deferred
projects eliminated
Major renovations progress: In 2008, State Parks did $17.1 million worth of major renovations
work, making progress on 164 large and small visible improvement projects in parks all over the state. This work
represents a cumulative total of $49.2 million of the $87.85 million earmarked for "fixup" work over the 10-year Centennial 2013 campaign.
This is a portion of the original estimated $250 million cost of the overall Centennial 2013 Plan, which includes funding for expanded and new parks.
Capital project
dollars
Examples of improvements
Left: Rehabilitated guard house at Fort Worden State Park.
Right: New comfort station at Columbia Hills State Park.
Goal No. 5 – Partnerships
Double participation to 500,000 annual volunteer hours and 500 partnerships . . . so that citizens are
actively recruited, welcomed and engaged in improving their parks and recreation opportunities.
Volunteer progress: 500,000 annual volunteer hours State Parks recorded 312,000 volunteer hours in 2008.
Total Volunteer Hours
(in thousands)
Partnership progress: State Parks staff reported an estimated 464 partnerships in 2008.
Partnerships
*An assessment in 2008 found that 202 of State Parks’ partnerships were based on formal, written agreements.
Partnerships - whether they are formal agreements or more casual cooperation -
all help State Parks expand opportunities for park visitors.
Pitching in to help: Volunteers help park staff provide excellent services by pitching in
with campground hosting, office work, park cleanup and program offerings. The hours provided by volunteers in
2008 added help nearly equivalent to 145 full-time staff. Meanwhile, partnership efforts such as the annual
Coastal Cleanup and a new alliance of agencies and organizations called the Washington Clean Coast Alliance
help with the care and improvement of parks.
Goal No. 6 – Financial strategy
All 121 state parks have business plans that include cost-saving strategies and four revenue sources
(facility fees, product and service revenues, taxes and donations) . . . so that parks are managed
with a focus on financial sustainability, efficiency and innovation.
Progress: 69 of 121 state parks had business plans in place by December 31, 2008.
Parks
Financial sustainability: Offering visitors new options also results in greater
revenue to help operate parks. Examples are the popular cabins and historic house rentals available
in several locations. In the past few years, park stores have been added in more than 20 parks around
the state.
Goal No. 7 – Trails
Improve facilities and add trail miles on winter recreation, land and water trails
. . . so that recreational trail opportunities are expanded and improved for citizens.
Trails Progress in 2008:
Completed 14 miles of Columbia Plateau Trail from Ice Harbor Dam to Snake River Junction; 6 miles of trail
on Iron Horse – Easton access; 2 miles of trail at Potlatch State Park; 1 mile of trail at Kopachuck State
Park; one mile of trail at Moran State Park; 1 mile of barrier-free trail at Rockport; 1 mile in-park trail
at Deception Pass State Park; 3.5 miles of trail on the Willapa Hills Trail between Chehalis and Adna;
0.7mile of new trail at Bottle Beach State Park.
Happy trails: Long-distance land and water trails, as well as in-park trails
offer visitors plenty of healthy exercise options. The Commission is committed to developing long-distance and
cross-state trails as well as increasing features that make trails more usable to visitors. Plans include
making connections between state and local trail systems. Clockwise from top: A cyclist breezes along the
Columbia Plateau Trail; equestrians enjoy a ride-and-camp experience on the John Wayne Pioneer Trail; hikers
walk the trails at Dosewallips State Park; and kayakers encounter an orca on the Cascadia Marine Trail in Puget Sound.
Goal No. 8 – Expanded and new parks
Work toward expanding popular existing parks and opening three new parks
. . . so that parks and recreation opportunities are available to meet future needs in a
growing state.
Progress on expansion parks:
- 2005: Nine parks and a trail were identified for expansion.
- 2006: Budget work for projects completed.
- 2007: Planning and development continues.
- 2008 Progress:
- Beacon Rock – Day-use area and roadway project completed. Back Country Trail improvements are nearly complete.
- Belfair – Park-wide renovation in cooperation with Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group completed.
- Cape Disappointment – Campground utilities, two comfort stations and roadway, historic building roofing completed, and boat launch renovation completed. Boat launch parking and restroom replacement underway, trails designed.
- Deception Pass – Wastewater infrastructure updated, in design stage on redeveloping Sunrise area, in design for Rosario Beach rehabilitation, and undertaking other master plan improvements.
- Fort Worden – Key building restorations and plans completed and Conference Center rehabilitation design continues.
- John Wayne Pioneer Trail (West): Resurfaced trail, added safety railings and evaluated condition of 5 tunnels.
- Lake Sammamish - Habitat Restoration completed, boat launch upgrades designed, swimming beach areas designed and planning in process on other master plan improvements.
- Millersylvania - Designs completed for renovation of Civilian Conservation Corps-era buildings, new environmental learning center, campground upgrades.
- Pearrygin Lake – Design of rehabilitation of camping and day use areas underway.
- Riverside: Planning under way for new campground, and day-use area conversion
Progress on new parks:
- Lake Spokane: No additional progress.
- Miller Peninsula: No additional progress.
- Nisqually-Mashel: Design and permitting of new facilities under way.
Park improvements
Left: New campground loop and picnic facilities at Grayland Beach State Park
Right: New yurt at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park.
Goal No. 9 – Historic sites
Improve four major historic sites. . . so that the state’s heritage is available to citizens now and into the future.
2008 Historic site progress:
- South CleElum Depot at Iron Horse State Park – Design in progress for rehabilitation of substation into museum. Depot project completed and open, 2006
- Olmstead Place State Park – Historic Structure Report completed and design in progress for restoration of Olmstead Cabin.
- Saint Edward State Park Seminary – Phase 1 of restoration under way.
- Fort Simcoe – Cultural Resource Survey and tribal consultation under way
 |  |
Saint Edward Seminary,
Kenmore
| Fort Simcoe, near
White Swan |
 |  |
Olmstead Place, near
Ellensburg | Cle Elum Depot |
Goal No. 10 – Interpretation
Tell the Ice Age floods story. . . so that our state’s dramatic geologic history is available to citizens.
Progress on Ice Age floods interpretation:
- Ice Age Floods Plan developed, 2005.
- Ice Age Floods Plan completed, adopted by Commission
Final Ice Age Floods Plan text.pdf
(520kb PDF)
Final Ice Age Floods Plan maps.pdf
(725kb PDF), 2006
- Phase 1 development completed on interpretive exhibit display for visitors at
several parks: Sun Lakes-Dry Falls; Palouse Falls; Gingko Petrified Forest; Beacon Rock; Steamboat Rock;
Yakima Sportsman. Developing a conceptual site, building, interpretive plan for Dry Falls Visitor Center,
Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park.
A landscape defined: This view of the Columbia Gorge from Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park
near Coulee City captures the drama of the epic Ice Age floods that swept through much of the state 13,000 to
15,000 years ago. State Parks staff is working with geologists and other agencies and states to capture the
excitement of the story for citizens and out-of-state visitors.
Goal No. 11 – 100 Connections
100 citizen gift improvements enhance parks all over Washington. . . so that citizens
contribute to their favorite parks.
Progress: 54 of 100 citizen gift improvement projects were complete at the end of 2008.
Gift projects
Working together: Park managers are working with friends groups, communities youth and
recreation organizations all over the state to complete gift projects that enhance and improve favorite parks.
State Parks staff works hard to strengthen bonds between communities and parks with such activities.