State Parks Commission to meet in Spokane, tour Eastern Region

Inclement weather update

Due to inclement weather, the Commission tour on Wed., April 15 has been changed since this press release was originally posted. The updated tour schedule is reflected below. 

SPOKANE — The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its regular commission meeting on April 16 at the Spokane Tribe Resort and Casino.  

This is a hybrid meeting, and the public is welcome to attend in-person or online.  

Agenda items include: 

• Requested approval of three housekeeping changes to Washington Administrative Code (WAC)
• Requested approval to execute a perpetual easement agreement with the Washington Department of Natural Resources at Steptoe Butte State Park Heritage Site to allow ingress and egress to access an adjacent property
• Requested approval of an amendment to the lease held by the Lodge at Saint Edward Park, LLC at Saint Edward State Park granting the proponent an option to extend their lease term from 62 to 80 years 

A work session is scheduled the morning of the regular meeting. Work sessions are open to the public, however, there will be no opportunity for the public to comment, and no formal action will be taken.  

Full work session and commission meeting agendas and presentations are available online. 

Public comment 

In-person oral public comment will be accepted at the regular meeting. If you wish to comment at a meeting, please fill out a comment card and provide it to staff at the sign in table. The Chair will call you up to the front at the appropriate time.  

Written public comment may be submitted by mail or email. All comments must be received by 5 p.m. on April 10. Please email written comments to commission@parks.wa.gov, or mail them to: 

WSPRC

Attn: Becki Ellison

PO Box 42650 

Olympia, WA 98504 

Virtual public comment will also be accepted at the meeting and pre-registration is required. To register, email commission@parks.wa.gov by 5 p.m. on April 10. Please provide the name you will be logging in under, contact phone number as well as the agenda item or general topic you will be speaking on. You will receive an email by noon on April 13 with specific instructions around virtual testimony.   

Park tour 

On April 13, 14, 15 and 17, the Commission will be joining State Parks leadership and staff on a tour of the Eastern Region. The public is invited to attend the tour but must provide their own transportation.  

Tour itinerary 

Mon., April 13 

• Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail – Cle Elum Depot, 11 a.m. 
• Helen McCabe, 12:40 p.m. 
• Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail – Kittitas Depot, 1:25 p.m. 
• Potholes State Park, 3:15 p.m. 
• Sacajawea Historical State Park, 6:15 p.m. 

Tues., April 14 

• Lyons Ferry State Park, 9 a.m. 
• Palouse Falls State Park Heritage Site, 10:15 a.m. 
• Steptoe Butte State Park Heritage Site, 2 p.m. 

Wed., April 15 (schedule updated on 4/14 due to inclement weather)

• Riverside State Park – ORV Area, 10 a.m. 
• Spokane House Interpretive Center, 11:30 a.m.
• Columbia Plateau State Park Trail – Fish Lake Trailhead, 2:45 p.m. 

Fri., April 17 

• Spokane Plains Battlefield Heritage Site, 9 a.m. 

Meeting information 

What 

Commission meeting 

Who 

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission 

When Thursday, April 16, 2026 

Work session: 9 a.m.-12:10 p.m. 

Regular meeting: 1-5 p.m. 

Where 

Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino 14300 W SR-2 Hwy Airway Heights, WA 99001 

Watch on TVW