by John Kruse, March 29, 2009
Cost cutting moves are rapidly becoming bloody amputations at the Washington State Parks Commission. The Parks Commission, like other state agencies, was told by Governor Chris Gregoire to reduce their budget by 23 percent this year. They had already come up with a 10 percent reduction from the 100 million dollars budgeted last year that will result in the closure (or transfer of ownership) of 13 some parks and mothballing of others. Along with this come a significant number of layoffs and a clear reduction in services. These cuts arguably cut the Parks budget to the bone. The latest round of cuts (totaling 23 million in all), are now cutting off limbs. The limbs in these cases are some of Washington's most beautiful (and popular) parks.
The Washington Trails Association was able to obtain a list of the parks that will be mothballed. These parks will essentially have the entrance gates shut and everything within shut down. The public may enter these parks (on foot) but there will be no services available inside. It is hoped that when money becomes available in the future, these parks may reopen. However, a lack of maintenance (and personnel to stave off vandalism) inside these parks may hamper these efforts.
The 33 additional parks that will be closed under this plan include: Jarrell Cove, Fields Spring, Federation Forest, Sacajawea, Rainbow Falls, Beacon Rock, Lewis and Clark, Alta Lake, Fort Columbia, Columbia Plateau Trail, Wallace Falls, Lake Easton, Yakima Sportsman Park, Maryhill, Illahee, Dash Point, Potlach, Twin Harbors, Ginko-Wanapum, Flaming Geyser, Peace Arch, Ocean City, Fort Ebey, Wenatchee Confluence, Lake Wenatchee, Fort Flagler, Mount Spokane, Millersylvania, Sun Lakes - Dry Falls, Larrabee and Fort Casey.
Some of these parks, Like Fort Casey, Larrabee and Sun Lakes, each receive over 650,000 visitors a year while others like popular Lake Wenatchee, Confluence State Park and Fort Flagler host anywhere from 317,000 to 447,000 guests each year. Parks like Sacajawea, Fort Columbia and Lewis and Clark have historical significance while Dry Falls and Ginko State Parks offer unique displays of natural history. The military fort parks (Flagler, Casey and Ebey) along Puget Sound are some of the most scenic parks in the state system and large parks like Lake Wenatchee and Mount Spokane also offer popular winter options. The closure of these parks is a huge blow to people looking for low cost recreation in a time when money is tight for families. It will also adversely affect the economies of the towns and businesses close to these parks. Places near parks where visitors spend money (gas stations, stores, restaurants, sporting goods retailers, guides and outfitters) will surely feel the loss of income. It makes you wonder how much (if any) economic sense these cuts make to the greater state economy.
What can you do if you oppose these cuts? We'll, you should first and foremost contact your local state representative or senator and make your feelings known. You should also contact the Governor’s office (Tel. 360-902-4111) and the State Parks Commission by e-mail at pao@parks.wa.gov. If you choose to do this, do so quickly. The legislative session is almost over and chances to address this issue are running short.
The Washington Trails Association also weighs in on this topic - and on some potential solutions - on their web site (www.wta.org).
John Kruse is an outdoors writer and the host of Northwestern Outdoors, a weekly radio show that airs on four Eastern Washington stations.