State Parks urges people to recreate responsibly this Fourth of July
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Parks) asks everyone who is planning a Fourth of July celebration at a park or on the beach to be safe and protect their friends, neighbors, public lands and wildlife.
Parks sees a dramatic increase in visitation during Independence Day celebrations, particularly on its beaches. The increase in traffic also increases the amount of trash left behind. Last year, volunteers collected more than 111,000 pounds of garbage from ocean beaches during Parks’ annual July 5 beach cleanup. That’s equivalent to the combined weight of about seven…
Search Results
138 Results
05/03/2022
OLYMPIA – May 3, 2022 – On May 1, Washington State Parks began managing more than 15 recreation sites owned by Avista Utilities. The properties sit around the Spokane River, Nine Mile Dam, Lake Spokane and Long Lake Dam.According to a new five-year agreement, State Parks will operate the Avista sites as part of Riverside State Park. The land parcels, which total 2,000 acres, include six trailheads, two water access sites, two overlooks,10 boat-in campsites and one picnic area on Lake Spokane.The trailheads are:Klondike RocksMuley CanyonSouth ShoreDevil's GapLong Lake TDGNorth ShoreThe boat-… Read more
04/29/2022
Boaters should check project schedule before planning overnight tripsOLYMPIA – April 29, 2022 – Washington State Parks will begin contracted mooring buoy repair work in the San Juan Islands beginning Monday, May 2 and on the eastern Olympic Peninsula beginning Wednesday, June 1. The agency will repair 82 buoys that are currently unsatisfactory and unusable. The months-long maintenance project will service salvageable state-owned, public mooring buoys to ensure they are in top condition for boaters.Repair work will begin at the following locations on the following dates:May 2-5:San Juan… Read more
04/12/2022
Planners will discuss facility improvements at Blake Island Marine State ParkOLYMPIA – April 20, 2022 – Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission invites the public to a hybrid in-person and virtual public meeting on Bainbridge Island to learn more about planned facility improvements at neighboring Blake Island Marine State Park. The in-person meeting will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 28 at Bainbridge Public Library, 1270 Madison Ave. North (Driving directions.) Participants can also join the meeting on-line at the following link: https://bit.ly/3vwfLnhVirtual… Read more
04/06/2022
New installation will celebrate Deception Pass State Park's 100-year anniversary and those who helped shape the park OLYMPIA – April 6, 2022 – As Deception Pass State Park nears its 100th birthday this month, the Deception Pass State Park Foundation and Parks staff invite past managers and their families, friends and descendants to attend an event at which a permanent installation in the park will honor their contributions. Friends and family members of former park managers are encouraged to connect with Jason Armstrong, the Deception Pass State Park area manager at jason.armstrong@parks.wa.… Read more
04/06/2022
OLYMPIA – April 6, 2022 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its regular in-person commission meeting Thursday, April 14 at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum in Ilwaco.Commission action items include 2023-25 capital budget target request level and proposed modifications to the Klickitat State Park Trail long-term park boundary.In addition, the commission will hear updates and reports from agency staff and the Washington State Parks Foundation.A work session is scheduled the day before the regular meeting, on Wednesday, April 13. Work sessions are open to the… Read more
04/05/2022
State Parks Clean Vessel Act Grant Program funds $700,000 in new pumpout and floating restroom projects Recreational boat pumpout facilities expand across the stateOLYMPIA – April 5, 2022 – Recreational boaters in Washington waters will have an easier time disposing of vessel sewage, thanks to more than $700,000 in new federal pass-through grants for recreational boat pumpout and floating restroom projects.Awarded by the Washington State Parks Clean Vessel Act Grant Program (CVA), the grants focus on sewage disposal systems for recreational vessels and outreach programs that inform boaters… Read more
04/04/2022
Restored bridge closes major gap in 285-mile Palouse to Cascades Trail OLYMPIA – April 4, 2022 – Washington State Parks invites the public to join community leaders, trail enthusiasts, public lands agencies and elected officials for the grand opening of the refurbished Beverly Bridge. The dedication ceremony will take place at 1 p.m., Friday, April 8, rain or shine. Attendees are asked to park at the Huntzinger trailhead and walk to the Beverly Junction on the west side of the bridge. Shuttles are available for persons with mobility issues. A Park Ranger will be available onsite to assist. (… Read more
04/04/2022
OLYMPIA – April 5, 2022 – As a member of the Washington Clean Coast Alliance, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will participate in this year's Washington Coast Cleanup. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 23. Along with Parks, many other collaborating partners like Surfrider and the Grassroots Garbage Gang will help clean the coastal beaches. Thousands of volunteers come out every year to remove several tons of marine debris from Washington's Pacific Coast and Salish Sea. Beach cleanups allow family and friends to have fun and participate in a… Read more
03/16/2022
Nationwide recruitment efforts lead to internal talentOLYMPIA – March 16, 2022 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission announced today the appointment of Diana Dupuis as the agency's new director. Dupuis will be the first female director since the agency was established more than 100 years ago. “Diana is a strategic leader with extensive experience in parks. She has dedicated more than 14 years to our agency,” said Parks Commission chairman, Mark O. Brown. “I am pleased to welcome Diana as the new director. She has a deep understanding of our agency, and I am confident that… Read more
03/14/2022
Parks planners will discuss possible modifications to conserve critical habitatsOLYMPIA – March 14, 2022 – Washington State Parks invites the public to attend a virtual meeting to learn about plans for expansion of the Klickitat Trail State Park in Klickitat County.Members of the public can participate in the meeting by using the link or call-in information below.WHEN:1:30 p.m.– 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 29WHERE: Online at Microsoft Teams: https://bit.ly/362lTdKAttendees do not need to download Teams to participate.WHAT:State Parks planners will seek public input about plans to modify the… Read more