Pilot project lets visitors check online before they head for the park
OLYMPIA – Oct. 28, 2019 – Visitors to popular Wallace Falls State Park near Gold Bar off SR 2 can now check conditions at the parking lot before they visit, Washington State Parks announced today. State Parks recently installed a camera that takes a live photo every minute, which automatically posts on the park’s web page.
The park experiences a high volume of traffic at certain times of the year, often exceeding the capacity of the current parking lot. When the lot fills, visitors park their vehicles on the narrow county road leading to Wallace Falls’ entrance. This makes it difficult for neighbors and private landowners to get in and out of their driveways. Additionally, parking on the roadway causes safety issues for drivers and pedestrians alike.
“Frequent visitors to Wallace Falls State Park know parking can be a real challenge,” said Shawn Tobin, State Parks Northwest Region manager. “We’re hoping people will check the website to see how crowded the parking lot is before they consider visiting the park.”
Photo taken at Wallace Falls State Park, as posted on park's website.
The parking lot camera photos can be viewed here: https://parks.state.wa.us/289/Wallace-Falls. (Follow the link on the right-hand side of the web page under “LIVE PARK CAMERA.”)
In 2019, State Parks completed a public planning effort for Wallace Falls State Park known as Classification and Management Planning (CAMP). The Wallace Falls CAMP process identified the need for parking solutions as a key concern. Putting a live video camera in the parking lot was one of multiple approaches identified by park users.
The live camera is the first to be installed at a Washington state park. Depending on the pilot project’s success, the agency may consider installing cameras in other state parks for various reasons, including letting visitors see what a park looks like on any given day.
About Wallace Falls State Park
Located in Snohomish County, Wallace Falls State Park is a 1,380-acre camping park with shoreline on the Wallace River, Wallace Lake, Jay Lake and Shaw Lake. Located on the west side of the Cascade Mountains, the park features a 265-foot high waterfall, old-growth coniferous forests and fast-moving rivers and streams. For more information about the park, visit: http://parks.state.wa.us/289/Wallace-Falls.
News media contacts:
Toni Droscher, Communications Office, (360) 902-8604
Shawn Tobin, Northwest Region manager, (360) 755-9231
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About Washington State Parks
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages more than 100 state parks and properties totaling approximately 120,000 acres. The Commission provides a variety of recreation opportunities for citizens and provides stewardship protection for a diverse array of natural, cultural and historic resources. State Parks’ statewide programs include long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation.
News release number: 19-084