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…
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03/30/2023
OLYMPIA – March 30, 2023 – As a proud member of the Washington Clean Coast Alliance, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will co-host the annual Washington Coast Cleanup this Earth Day. This year's event will take place 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 22 at nine state parks: Cape Disappointment, Fort Townsend, Fort Worden, Grayland Beach, Mystery Bay, Ocean City, Pacific Beach, Shine Tidelands and Twin Harbors. In partnership with Washington CoastSavers, Parks puts on three beach cleanup volunteer events a year – and there is always work to be done. Over the last three… Read more
03/16/2023
Construction will impact boat launch use during 2023 halibut, lingcod fishing seasonOLYMPIA – March 16, 2023 – Construction is underway for the new Keystone Boat Launch on Whidbey Island. Located near the Keystone Ferry Terminal, the popular launch is part of Fort Casey Historical State Park. This project includes removal of previously storm-damaged infrastructure, new guide piles and new floats at the boat launch, a new breakwater and shoreline restoration. The facility and shoreline were damaged by a storm in December of 2018. Construction began in late 2022 and is expected to finish by… Read more
03/07/2023
OLYMPIA – March 7, 2023 – Lake Sammamish State Park is one of the most popular parks in the Seattle area for families and communities to come together and enjoy a dose of nature near the city. That's why, in just a few weeks, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission plans to begin work on several improvements and upgrades that will revitalize the Sunset Beach area. The project is out for bid and a contract is anticipated for award in April. Depending on the results of the bid process, Parks plans to replace old structures, provide improved ADA access to picnic shelters, upgrade… Read more
02/28/2023
Landowners open bypass to trail users between Ralston and Marengo
OLYMPIA – Feb. 28, 2023 – Next month an eastern Washington section of the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail will become more contiguous, allowing trail users to avoid a 19-mile road detour between Ralston and Marengo.
The new Cow Creek Trestle Bypass will open seasonally from March 1 to Oct. 31, thanks to a mutual agreement between State Parks and private landowners, TDH Properties.
The route spans nearly five miles between mileposts 1930 and 1935 and connects the east and west sides of the missing Cow Creek Trestle.… Read more
02/22/2023
OLYMPIA – Feb. 22, 2023 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its regularly scheduled commission work session virtually on March 1.Commission work session items include a financial update covering Parks' 2021-23 biennium operating and capital budget expenditures and Parks Renewal and Stewardship Account (PRSA) revenue; An update on the 2023 legislative session; and an update on the work to develop a new state park at Nisqually State Park in partnership with the Nisqually Indian Tribe.This is an online meeting, and all Parks staff and commissioners will be attending… Read more
01/25/2023
OLYMPIA – Jan. 25, 2023 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Winter Recreation Program will be hosting two in-person only advisory committee meetings in the coming weeks for both the Winter Recreation Advisory Committee and the Snowmobile Advisory Committee. Members of the public are invited to attend.The Winter Recreation Advisory Committee (WRAC) meeting will be held on January 28 at 8:45 a.m. at the Snoqualmie Pass Visitors Center. The Winter Recreation Advisory Committee assists and advises the Commission in the development of non-motorized winter recreation facilities… Read more
01/24/2023
OLYMPIA – Jan. 24, 2023 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is looking for two new volunteers to serve on the Boating Program Advisory Council (BPAC). The new members of the committee must have experience relevant to the program – one position requires a public health and injury prevention background and will serve as the injury prevention specialist. The other position requires a background in recreational boating education. The injury prevention specialist is connected to state and national networks in injury prevention and brings expertise in awareness, education and… Read more
01/18/2023
OLYMPIA – Jan 18, 2023 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its regular in-person commission meeting Thursday, Jan. 26 at the Lacey City Council Chambers.Commission action items include a financial update covering Parks' 2021-23 biennium operating and capital budget expenditures, Parks Renewal and Stewardship Account (PRSA) revenue, the Governor's supplemental budget for Fiscal Year 2023 and the Governor's 2023-25 biennial budget; election of Commissioner officers for 2023; adoption of the parks Director's Performance Agreement; and a legislative update.A work… Read more
01/17/2023
Seasonal positions will serve parks across Washington.OLYMPIA – Jan. 17, 2023 – Washington State Parks is recruiting seasonal park aides to work in its beautiful outdoor places this spring, summer and fall! Parks is looking for 305 park aides and senior park aides to work from April through September in diverse environments like old-growth forests, channeled scabland and shrub steppe, as well as on Pacific Ocean beaches and the high desert and around Puget Sound and its islands. Park aides enjoy a variety of duties. They may register campers, maintain trails, clean campgrounds and maintain… Read more
01/11/2023
OLYMPIA – Jan. 11, 2023 – This month, Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Ali Raad of Thurston County as the newest member of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.Raad is a first-generation immigrant from Lebanon and has lived in Thurston County since 1982. He is a civil engineer and attended both Portland State University and Saint Martin's University. He earned his degree from Saint Martin's University. Raad brings a wealth of experience from his time in service to the public sector. He began his career with the Washington State Military Department. He went on to work for the… Read more