State parks were saved from being closed this summer, but Snohomish County still wants to take over at least one of them.
The county would do well to accept Wenberg State Park on Lake Goodwin, according to an analysis by the executive’s office. The county even stands to earn a little money.
“We’ve looked hard at what it would cost to operate the park,” deputy county executive Peter Camp said. “It gives us two pieces of property on the lake. It would be wonderful.”
Wenberg, a 46-acre park on the lake’s eastern shore, has a boat launch, a beach for swimming, and camping sites. It attracted 417,916 day visitors last year plus 24,000 campers. The county already has Lake Goodwin Community Park on the lake’s north shore.
Under county control, the public would notice two big changes at Wenberg: a no-alcohol rule and a $5 per-car gate fee.
The executive’s office estimated it would cost $178,417 to run the park in 2010. It would generate an estimated $180,589, recouping 101 percent of the costs.
The estimate assumes that the county could run the park more efficiently than the state and get more money in return.
Council Chairman Mike Cooper called the transfer a “good opportunity.” He expected the council to vote on the issue in the coming weeks.
Councilman John Koster, whose district includes the area, was delighted that the numbers appear to balance.
In December, the state identified 13 parks that it wanted to transfer to local governments for free. Beyond Snohomish County, the state parks system is talking about giving up four other parks.
Another cost-saving proposal that came up this year was mothballing up to 33 parks, among them, popular Wallace Falls near Gold Bar. Now, mothballing appears unnecessary.
State lawmakers gave the parks budget extra breathing room last month when they changed the donation system on car registrations. Starting Sept. 1, the Department of Licensing can collect $5 for state parks with every registration payment.
Vehicle owners have to check a box to opt out of the contribution. Before, they checked a box to give money. The budget assumes the new system will generate more than $25 million, enough to prevent any closures.
Even with the donations, the state’s two-year budget removes $10 million, about 10 percent, from the parks budget. To manage, the state will consolidate regional offices and move another to its headquarters. Layoffs are possible, too.
Snohomish County also has expressed interest in taking over Wallace Falls State Park and two undeveloped parks in the state system, Mount Pilchuck and Forks of the Sky. Reardon wrote a letter last month to House Speaker Frank Chopp about the possibility.
State parks commissioners have to make any decisions. Their next meeting is May 19.
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465, nhaglund@heraldnet.com.
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