Centennial 2013

2003 - 2007 Progress Report

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission has identified 11 goals for Centennial 2013. This report shows progress toward those 11 goals.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission adopted the Centennial 2013 Plan to prepare the park system for a second century of service and a 100-year celebration in 2013. The Plan’s three priorities – fix what we have; expand existing parks, trails and services; and build new parks and trails for the future – are reflected in 11 goals The Commission adopted for completion by 2013. This annual report shows progress on these goals through December, 2007.

Goal No. 1 – Stewardship

All 120 state parks have land-use plans supported by the public and commission . . .so that citizens can participate in park planning and understand and support the care of their parks and environment.

Progress: 42 of 120 state parks had land-use plans supported by the public and Commission at the end of 2007.

Parks

Public helps with park plans: This planning meeting for Lake Sammamish State Park is one example of the public planning process State Parks uses to identify land uses and develop classification and management plans for all parks. The process builds public interest, and the resulting plans help park managers provide appropriate public recreation while caring for natural and cultural resources. To comment on park planning processes under way or to view completed plans, visit www.parks.wa.gov/plans/.

Goal No. 2 – Enjoyment, health and learning

All 120 state parks have community events and interpretive programs . . . so that citizens understand that parks are places to enjoy healthy recreation and learn about Washington’s history and cultural heritage.

Progress: 66 of 120 state parks had both community events and interpretive programs in 2007.

Parks

Fun and education: Programs such as State Parks’ Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks, in partnership with the Washington State Arts Commission and the Washington State Parks Foundation, offer visitors a diverse array of exciting cultural programs. Park staff work hard to provide visitors a sense of discovery and environmental education, through interesting campfire programs and nature walks. In 2007, staff in Southwest Region parks alone presented more than 8,000 interpretive programs to 85,745 people. In Eastern Region parks, staff presented 4,440 interpretive programs with 49,400 people in attendance.

Goal No. 3 – Public service

The public will rate agency public service "B+" or better on surveys . . . so that the Commission can guage citizen confidence in the management of the park system and help to assure accountabililty.

• In a 2006 Responsible Management scientific survey of 1,200 citizens, respondents gave Washington State Parks an overall rating of "B" or better on questions relating to satisfaction and quality of services and facilities in their state parks.   (2006 Survey.pdf - 65kb PDF)
• A 2008 survey is being developed.

Parks a popular destination – The 2006 survey contracted by Washington State Parks showed that slightly more than half of Washington residents had visited a state park within the previous two years and had a high level of confidence in the management of the park system. The Commission is committed to investing in its employees with training, recognition and advancement opportunities that contribute to the delivery of excellent service to the public.

Goal No. 4 – Facilities

Improve the old, well-loved park system . . . so that citizens have safe and modern parks.

Deferred maintenance progress: By the end of 2007, 2,012 of 2,987 ($23.1 million of $40 million) deferred maintenance and equipment replacement backlog items were eliminated from State Parks' original 2001 "deferred maintenance" backlog list.

Cumulative deferred
projects eliminated

Major renovations progress: In 2007, State Parks did $14.3 million worth of major renovations work, making progress on 136 large and small visible improvement projects in parks all over the state. This work represents a cumulative total of $32.1 million of the $87.85 million earmarked for "fixup" work. This is a portion of the $250 million cost of the overall Centennial 2013 Plan, which includes funding for expanded and new parks.

Capital project
dollars

Rehabilitated guard house. Fort Worden State Park

Goal No. 5 – Partnerships

Double participation to 500,000 annual volunteer hours and 500 partnerships . . . so that citizens are actively recruited, welcomed and engaged in improving their parks and recreation opportunities.

Volunteer progress: 500,000 annual volunteer hoursState Parks recorded 291,000 volunteer hours in 2007.

Total Volunteer Hours
(in thousands)

Partnership progress: State Parks staff reported an estimated 436 partnerships in 2007.

Partnerships

*An assessment in 2007 found that 185 of State Parks’ partnerships were based on formal, written agreements.

Pitching in to help: Volunteers help park staff provide excellent services by pitching in with campground hosting, office work, park cleanup and program offerings. The hours provided by volunteers in 2007 added help nearly equivalent to 140 full-time staff. Meanwhile, partnership efforts such as the annual Coastal Cleanup and a new alliance of agencies and organizations called the Washington Clean Coast Alliance help with the care and improvement of parks.

Goal No. 6 – Financial strategy

All 120 state parks have business plans that include cost-saving strategies and four revenue sources (facility fees, product and service revenues, taxes and donations) . . . so that parks are managed with a focus on financial sustainability, efficiency and innovation.

Progress: 60 of 120 state parks had business plans in place by December 31, 2007.

Parks

Financial sustainability: Offering visitors new options also results in greater revenue to help operate parks. Examples are the popular cabins and historic house rentals available in several locations. In the past few years, park stores have been added in more than 20 parks around the state.

Goal No. 7 – Trails

Improve facilities and add trail milles on winter recreation, land and water trails . . . so that recreational trail opportunities are expanded and improved for citizens.

Trails Progress in 2007:

• Completed 7 miles of winter trails at Nason Ridge connecting Lake Wenatchee State Park trails to U.S.Forest Service trails
• Completed 3.2-mile Greg Ball Trail at Wallace Falls State Park
• Completed a new water trail campsite opened at Kinney Point
• Added 1,000 feet of trail at South Cle Elum Rail Yard
• Added 700 feet of trail connecting Lake Sammamish to East Lake Sammamish Trail
• Added 1,580 feet of trail from Fort Ward State Park to Bainbridge Island Metro Park and Recreation District

• Opened 31 miles of Klickitat Trail in 2003
• Worked with more than two dozen other agencies to jointly establish 146-mile Lower Columbia Water Trail in 2004
• Worked with more than two dozen other agencies to jointly establish 367-mile Northwest Discovery Water Trail in 2005.
• Opened 57.5 new miles of winter recreation trail, 2005.
• Completed agreement and accepted 103 miles of John Wayne Pioneer Trail East from state Department of Natural Resources, for development, 2006

Happy trails: Long-distance land and water trails, as well as in-park trails offer visitors plenty of healthy exercise options. The Commission is committed to developing long-distance and cross-state trails as well as increasing trail features that make trails more usable to visitors. Plans include making connections between state and local trail systems. Clockwise from top: A cyclist breezes along the Columbia Plateau Trail; equestrians enjoy a ride-and-camp experience on the John Wayne Pioneer Trail; and kayakers encounter an orca on the Cascadia Marine Trail in Puget Sound.

Goal No. 8 – Expanded and new parks

Work toward expanding popular existing parks and opening three new parks parks . . . so that parks and recreation opportunities are available to meet future needs in a growing state.

Progress on expansion parks:

• Nine parks and a trail were identified for expansion in 2005.
• Engaged in budgeting process in 2006 and 2007.
• Planning and development progress in 2007:

1. Beacon Rock – Day use area and roadway project completed. Trail improvements underway.
2. Belfair – Park-wide renovation in cooperation with Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group near completion when storms hit in December 2007; reconstruction underway.
3. Cape Disappointment – Campground utilities, two comfort stations and roadway completed.
4. Deception Pass – In design stage on redeveloping Sunrise area and undertaking other master plan improvements.
5. Fort Worden – Construction in process on barracks conversion and historic structure renovations.
6. John Wayne Pioneer Trail (West): Resurfaced trail, added safety railings.
7. Lake Sammamish: Construction in process on master plan improvements.
8. Millersylvania: Renovation of Civilian Conservation Corps-era buildings, new environmental learning center, campground upgrades designated to begin construction in 2008
9. Riverside: Planning under way for new campground, day-use area conversion

1. Lake Spokane – identified as site of new park
2. Miller Peninsula – Classification and Management Plan completed in 2006, completed pre-design.
3. Nisqually-Mashel – Classification and Management Plan under way, completed pre-design.

New campground loop and picnic facilities at Grayland Beach State Park

Goal No. 9 – Historic sites

Improve four major historic sites. . . so that the state’s heritage is available to citizens now and into the future.

Historic site progress:

• South CleElum Depot at Iron Horse State Park – Depot project completed and open, 2006
• Olmstead Place State Park – Planning under way, 2007.
• Saint Edward State Park Seminary – Completed structural assessment, 2007.
• Fort Simcoe – Planning under way, 2007.

Saint Edward Seminary, Kenmore	Fort Simcoe, near White Swan
Olmstead Place, near Ellensburg	Cle Elum Depot

Goal No. 10 – Interpretation

Tell the Ice Age floods story. . . so that our state’s dramatic geologic history is available to citizens.

Progress on Ice Age floods interpretation:

• Ice Age Floods Plan developed, 2005.
• Ice Age Floods Plan completed, adopted by Commission
  Final Ice Age Floods Plan text.pdf
  (520kb PDF)
  Final Ice Age Floods Plan maps.pdf
  (725kb PDF), 2006
• Phase 1 development under way on interpretive exhibit displays for visitors at several parks, 2007.
  • Dry Falls
  • Palouse Falls
  • Ginkgo Petrified Forest
  • Beacon Rock
  • Steamboat Rock
  • Wenatchee Confluence

A landscape defined: This view of the Columbia Gorge from Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park near Coulee City captures the drama of the epic Ice Age floods that swept through much of the state 13,000 to 15,000 years ago. State Parks staff is working with geologists and other agencies and states to capture the excitement of the story for citizens and out-of-state visitors.

Goal No. 11 – 100 Connections

Progress: 48 of 100 citizen gift improvement projects were complete at the end of 2007.

Gift projects

Working together: Park managers are working with friends groups, communities youth and recreation organizations all over the state to complete gift projects that enhance and improve favorite parks. State Parks staff works hard to strengthen bonds between communities and parks with such activities.

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