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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07/06/2022
OLYMPIA – July 6, 2022 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its regular in-person commission meeting Thursday, July 14 at the Swinomish Casino and Lodge in Anacortes.Commission action items include 2023-25 state grant applications and approval of the 2023-25 operating and capital budgets.In addition, the commission will hear updates and reports from agency staff and MS2000.A work session is scheduled the day before the regular meeting, on Wednesday, July 13. Work sessions are open to the public; however, there will be no opportunity for the public to comment and… Read more
07/06/2022
Twelve marine state parks now accept buoy fees by phoneOLYMPIA – July 6, 2022 – Twelve Washington marine state parks now allow boaters to pay moorage fees by phone. Each buoy will have a buoy number and phone number to call to make payment. Previously, boaters at these parks had to go to shore to pay for overnight moorage.This call-in option started in 2021 as a pilot program at Jarrell Cove State Park. The program expands this year to include 10 parks in the San Juan Islands and two in Skagit County. They are:San Juan Islands:Blind IslandClark IslandJames IslandJones IslandMatia… Read more
06/22/2022
Parks staff offer reminders, tips and rules for fireworks and use of state parksOLYMPIA – June 22, 2022 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission encourages safe and responsible gatherings in state parks during the upcoming Fourth of July holiday. Parks urges visitors to:Know before you go – Check for park closures and alerts before heading out.Leave no trace – Garbage receptacles may be available, but visitors should plan to pack out trash and anything they have brought with them. All fireworks must be fully extinguished before visitors dispose of them. Practice fire safety –… Read more
06/15/2022
Friends of the Columbia Gorge held neighboring property until Parks could buy the land OLYMPIA – June 15, 2022 – Washington State Parks, with critical assistance from Friends of the Columbia Gorge, purchased a tract of land next to Beacon Rock State Park. That land will be used to create safe, accessible pedestrian crossings, a new entrance and egress and additional parking. Currently, State Route 14 runs through the busy, popular park, which offers hiking, boating, climbing, birding, conservation and equestrian activities on both sides of the highway. This poses safety hazards for drivers… Read more
06/07/2022
Free performances celebrate diverse culturesOLYMPIA – June 7, 2022 – The Washington State Parks' Folk and Traditional Arts Program will reprise two of its beloved concert series this summer at Deception Pass and Cape Disappointment state parks. The program also added a third series at Lake Wenatchee State Park, expanding free access to diverse musical traditions in Central Washington. Performance schedules are as follows: WAIKIKI BEACH CONCERT SERIESLocation: Cape Disappointment State Park Time: All concerts are 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.Enjoy performances from a wide variety of musical backgrounds and… Read more
05/31/2022
OLYMPIA – May 31, 2022 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold a special meeting on Wed., June 1. The purpose of this special meeting is for the Commission to hold an executive session with the agency's assigned legal counsel to discuss potential litigation pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i). The public may attend the meetings remotely online – except for the executive sessions. Members of the public may also physically attend at the Washington State Parks and Recreation HQ, 1111 Israel Rd, Olympia, WA 98504 - Moran Conference Room. The commissioners will be attending… Read more
05/31/2022
No Discover Pass is required to park on those three daysOLYMPIA – May 31, 2022 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission invites visitors to enjoy a state park on Saturday, June 11 in celebration of National Get Outdoors Day, Sunday, June 12 in recognition of Free Fishing Day and Sunday, June 19 in honor of Juneteenth. Visitors are not required to display a Discover Pass for day-use visits to a Washington state park or on lands managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) on these dates. Juneteenth… Read more
05/12/2022
Forest thinning project will reduce wildfire risk to Roslyn, Cle-ElumOLYMPIA – May 12, 2022 – Washington State Parks will begin work to thin approximately 90 acres on the Bullfrog State Park Property near Cle Elum this month. The hired contractor will remove smaller, weaker and less fire tolerant trees to reduce fuel loads and promote fire tolerant species. The project will return the forest to historic site conditions and improve the health of remaining trees by reducing competition. More information on this project is available at Forest Practices Permit #2707135, on the Washington… Read more
05/11/2022
OLYMPIA – May 11, 2022 – Recreational boating is a popular pastime in Washington. In fact, several hundred thousand Washington residents own at least one canoe, kayak, rowboat, personal watercraft, stand up paddleboard, drift boat, runabout, sailboat, motor yacht or other recreational vessel. Boats and boaters are everywhere! Boating, however, is not without risk. The chilly waters of the Pacific Northwest can be unforgiving, and safety must be on the minds of everyone who plays in and around Washington waterways. The Washington State Parks Boating Program, in partnership with the Seattle… Read more
05/10/2022
More than 400 new adventure packs and Discover passes at library systems statewide will help communities in need explore state parks and other public landsOLYMPIA – May 10, 2022 – Check Out Washington has expanded once more with new adventure packs, a new partnership and additional funding. The popular interagency program allows local library card holders to check out adventure packs, including special Discover Passes, for a week at a time. The expansion prioritizes communities where health disparity data indicate higher need for free access to recreation opportunities.The Washington State… Read more