The U.S. state of Washington has over 140 state parks that are managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. These include 19 marine parks and 11 Historical Parks.
The park system was established in 1913 by the creation of the Washington State Board of Park Commissioners.[2] The first two parks were formed from donated land in 1915, and by 1929 the state had seven parks. In 1947 the State Parks Committee was renamed to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and given authority to oversee the state park system. By 1960 the number of state parks had increased to 130.
In 2003, the Washington State Legislature introduced a $5-a-day parking fee, meant to fund park-related construction projects; more than a quarter of the fees collected went into the fee-collection system itself.[3] Park use decreased more than 15% under the fees. The fee was rescinded in early 2006, returning the state park system to its status of the only system in the West without day-use fees.[4] In 2011 the legislature enacted a $10 day-use permit and a $30 annual pass, called the Discover Pass, for vehicles to enter state parks, lands owned or managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and designated lands of the Washington Department of Natural Resources.[5][6] Funds generated from the sale of the Discover Pass are deposited into the Recreation Access Pass Account. The new fees did not raise as much money as was hoped, though another effort to encourage donation when renewing certain state licenses (including driver's licenses) was more successful than officials expected.
Map
Washington State Parks (Hover mouse over pog to popup clickable link)
Current state parks
Former state parks
See also
References
- ^ a b "Commission and agency information". Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
- ^ "Washington State Parks History". Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- ^ Judd, Ron (March 30, 2006). "Parks are fee-free again, as they should be". The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 24, 2009.
- ^ Ammons, David (March 21, 2006). "$5 fee at parks is gone". The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 24, 2009.
- ^ Wong, Queenie (April 21, 2011). "Bill for parks fee goes to Gregoire". The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
- ^ "SB 5622 - 2011-12". Washington State Legislature. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
- ^ "Comprehensive List of State Park Names by Region". Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
- ^ a b The Chronicle editorial staff (April 14, 2006). "Maintaining parks already developed should have priority". The Chronicle. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Rosane, Eric (January 26, 2022). "Deal Would Transfer 180 Acres of State Park Land to Lewis County". The Chronicle. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Mittge, Brian (April 12, 2006). "Tale of two parks". The Chronicle. pp. A1, A11. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ "Central Ferry Park". USACE. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
- ^ "Chief Timothy Park". USACE. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
- ^ "Crow Butte Park". Port of Benton. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
- ^ "Westport Light State Park". Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
- ^ "Second Washington State Parks public meeting scheduled for Aug. 31 in Westport". The Daily World. Aberdeen, Wash. August 18, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
External links
- Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
- Washington State Parks Foundation
