Wallace Falls and Mount Pilchuck in Snohomish County are just two of the 138 state parks in Washington.
In Island County, the state parks include Deception Pass, one of the state’s most visited, as well as Camano Island, Cama Beach, South Whidbey, Joseph Whidbey, Fort Ebey and Fort Casey.
In 2013, the state park system celebrates its centennial. In addition to attending celebration events, park managers are encouraging communities and organizations to donate time, labor and funds to help complete 100 improvement projects in parks all over the state. These projects include playgrounds, kitchen shelters, interpretive features, trails and trailheads.
Established on March 19, 1913, Washington’s is one of the oldest state park systems in the country and one of the most popular.
With the holidays at hand, state parks officials are urging people to consider giving the gift of a $35 Discover Pass, which allows the owner access to all the state’s parks during 2013.
Also for sale is the Washington State Parks 2013 Centennial commemorative wall calendar.
The calendar celebrates Washington’s large and diverse park system by featuring historic photos and graphic images from every decade of the past 100 years.
The calendar measures 14-by-20 inches when opened for display. It sells for $18.50, plus tax. Purchase is through the Washington State Printer’s print-on-demand program, online at myprint.wa.gov, or call State Parks Headquarters in Olympia at 360-902-8500.
A link is provided on the State Parks’ website at www.parks.wa.gov/specialoffers.
Orders should be made by Dec. 17 for delivery by Christmas.
The historic photos used are from the State Parks Archive Collection. They include photo of a 1919 public meeting and picnic to discuss Deception Pass becoming a state park, a family picnicking at Moran State Park on Orcas Island in the 1920s, a Civilian Conservation Corps crew from the 1930s, a state parks ranger and truck from the 1950s and more.
Proceeds from calendar sales go to operate and maintain Washington state parks.
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