From Dry Falls to Snoqualmie Falls, from Larrabee to Paradise Point, our state parks are a source of pride and joy, showcasing the diverse beauty of Washington.
Beloved and visited by an estimated 40 million people each year, the 120 state parks have long been showing signs of wear and tear due to lack of adequate funding and planning. Now that the fiasco of attempting to help fund the parks by charging people to park is behind us, the state Parks and Recreation Commission has developed a long-range plan to fix the parks we have, expand them and add new ones.
With the lack of major improvement funding for decades, the effects from the neglect of our parks have been accumulative and exponential. Consequences include: Staff shortages, visitors don’t see rangers, and swimmers aren’t protected by lifeguards. There have been seasonal park closures and interpretive centers opened on a limited basis; historic properties are at risk; more than a quarter of state parks buildings are due for major upgrades or replacement to meet codes; and half of the state parks’ utility systems need major upgrades or replacing – every summer, parks have temporary closures because of system failures, resulting in citations because of environmental violations.
The neglect is especially shameful considering our state’s history of recognizing, valuing and protecting these natural treasures. Washington’s park system was created in 1913 – before the national parks system – and is the fourth-oldest state system in the nation. One reason the short-lived parking fee was anathema to so many is because of the legacy of generosity that has been a hallmark of our parks system. It is with amazement and gratitude we note that to date, more than 40 percent of park lands in the system have been donated by citizens.
The state Parks and Recreation Commission has smartly tied its plan to the park systems’ 2013 Centennial, honoring the history with a blueprint for the future. The $250 million effort breaks down this way: No. 1 priority – fix 55 existing parks that are most in need, with a reserve for urgent projects. No. 2 priority – expand 10 existing parks, trails and services. No. 3 priority – develop two to three new parks and trails. Gov. Chris Gregoire’s proposed budget includes $146 million for operations and $49 million in capital – a 70 percent increase over current levels – for the crumbling infrastructure. Complete details can be seen at www.parks.wa.gov.
Through our lawmakers, we owe it all those who had the vision to create our parks system to fund this plan. We owe it to ourselves, and all those generations to come.
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