Washington State Parks News Releases

News Release 12-097

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
1111 Israel Road S.W., P.O. Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650, (360) 902-8500
Don Hoch, Director

Long-term planning begins for Camano Island State Park

OLYMPIA – Oct. 22, 2012 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is beginning a process that will lead to a long-term plan for Camano Island State Park.

The public is invited to a meeting on Thursday, Nov. 15, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Cama Beach Center, located at Cama Beach State Park, 1880 S.W. Camano Drive, Camano Island.

This meeting is the first step toward a comprehensive plan for Camano Island State Park. The Classification and Management Plan (CAMP) will address overall visitor experiences, natural resources, use of the park’s buildings, recreation areas and trails and other topics of interest to the community. The meetings will address the overall CAMP process and the public’s hopes and concerns for the park. Information about the planning project is available online at www.parks.wa.gov/plans. Public comment also may be provided by e-mail to Camano.Island.Planning@parks.wa.gov or calling (360) 902-8616.

Camano Island State Park is a 134-acre camping park that became a functional park in 1949 after the South Camano Grange successfully got the Department of Natural Resources to make property available for a park. Initial park improvements were provided by 900 volunteers in one day, when they constructed a small picnic area still in existence today. Since then, park staff has constructed 88 campsites and a popular 200-person group camp and amphitheater. With more than 100 picnic sites, boat launch, fishing access, campgrounds and picnic shelters, the park receives approximately 200,000 visitors each year. The park’s pristine shoreline and forested hillside with three miles of hiking trails make this park a natural resource treasure.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is committed to creating land-use plans in all state parks in the system. Land-use plans will help State Parks preserve and protect lands while offering appropriate recreation opportunities for the public. So far, more than 80 parks have complete plans in place.

The commitment to land-use plans for parks is part of the Commission’s Centennial 2013 Plan, an initiative to prepare the park system for its 100th birthday and a second century of service to citizens. Information about the Centennial 2013 Plan is available online at www.parks.wa.gov/Centennial2013/.

Stay connected to your state parks by following Washington State Parks at www.facebook.com/WashingtonStateParks, www.twitter.com/WaStatePks_NEWS and www.youtube.com/WashingtonStateParks. Share your favorite state park adventure on the new State Parks’ blog site at www.AdventureAwaits.com.

The Commission manages a diverse system of more than 100 state parks and recreation programs, including long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation. The 99-year-old park system will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013.

Support state parks by purchasing your annual Discover Pass today, and enjoy a whole year of outdoor fun on Washington’s beautiful state-managed recreation lands. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.

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