Fort Worden Upper Campus Project

Project summary

Washington State Parks has been working with the Fort Worden Public Development Authority (FWPDA) and other partners to develop a long-term plan for the upper campus at Fort Worden State Park. The FWPDA is the current manager of the upper campus at the park and due to ongoing financial challenges, requested dissolution of their organization by the City of Port Townsend at a meeting on Aug. 1. This kicks off a series of processes that will lead to State Parks resuming management of the site by the fall.  

After the initial transition, Parks will begin a collaborative planning process in early 2026 to determine what the future of the upper campus at Fort Worden State Park will look like. Parks’ goal is to maintain continuity of operations while the long-term plan is developed.  

Parks will engage with the Tribes separately to get an understanding of how they want to participate in future planning. 

What is happening?

  • Washington State Parks owns Fort Worden and in 2013 issued a 50-year lease to the FWPDA to manage and operate the 90-acre upper campus of the park.  
  • The FWPDA has experienced financial challenges, and State Parks has stepped in to work with the FWPDA and other partners to evaluate and plan for the long-term sustainability of the site.  
  • The FWPDA hired PROS consulting firm to determine strategies to support Fort Worden State Park and its partners into the future. Their Strategic Plan can be viewed on the FWPDA website. 
  • As a result of the PROS Strategic Plan, the FWPDA and State Parks convened a working group to develop a path forward for the upper campus at Fort Worden. The workgroup includes: FWPDA, State Parks, Fort Worden Hospitality, Centrum and the city of Port Townsend. 
  • The group met throughout June and July to discuss options to keep the upper campus functioning at current levels through the summer. They also discussed the possibilities for a 3- and 10-year operating plan. 
  • The FWPDA and State Parks will communicate updates and key decisions over the coming months. 

Community participation

Upcoming events 

Public open house to share next steps on Fort Worden management transition, future planning and to answer questions. 

When: Thursday, Sept. 26 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. 

Where: Fort Worden Commons, Rooms B/C

Learn more here.

Past events

Public open house to share next steps on Fort Worden future planning and answer questions 

When: Tuesday, Aug. 6 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. 

Where: Fort Worden Commons, Room A