2003 - 2010 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; upgrade 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 cumulative progress on these goals through December 2010.
Following are archived progress reports.
Goal No. 1 – Stewardship
93 state parks will 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: 76 of 93 state parks had land-use plans supported by the public and
Commission at the end of 2009.
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 inclusive process builds public interest
and encourages participation. 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 and public comment, visit www.parks.wa.gov/plans/.
Goal No. 2 – Enjoyment, health and learning
All state parks will 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: 54 state parks had both community events and interpretive programs in 2010.
Parks
Fun and education: Programs such as State Parks' Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks, in
partnership with the Washington State Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts 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 2010, State Parks staff presented more than 31,635 interpretive programs with an estimated
262,496 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 2008 Responsive Management scientific survey, 1,200 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. (2008 Survey.pdf - 686kb PDF)
- 2009: The Commission deferred conducting the 2009 survey due to budget restrictions.
- 2010: The Commission deferred conducting the 2010 survey due to budget restrictions.
Parks a popular destination – The 2008 survey contracted by Washington State Parks showed
that more than 70% of Washington residents had visited a state park within the previous
two years and thought the Commission did a good job managing their 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 2010, 2,242 of 2,987 ($27.15 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 calendar year 2010, Washington State Parks completed 33 major
renovations projects. These projects, which improve the quality and safety of parks, include new cabins, trail
projects, building restorations, water and sewer systems and more. The following document includes a full list
of 2010 major renovations:
Examples of improvements
Left: Rehabilitated guard house at Fort Worden State Park.
Right: New comfort station at Columbia Hills 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: State Parks recorded 304,720 volunteer hours in 2010.
Total Volunteer Hours
(in thousands)
Partnership progress: State Parks staff reported an estimated 581 partnerships in 2010.
Partnerships
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
2010 added help nearly equivalent to 146 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 state parks will 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: 91 state parks had business plans in place by Dec. 31, 2010.
Parks
*This initiative was on hold in 2009, due to budget reductions and layoffs.
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 miles on winter recreation, land and water trails
. . . so that recreational trail opportunities are expanded and improved for citizens.
Trails Progress in 2010:
Replaced culvert and installed railings on John Wayne Pioneer Trail – Iron Horse; completed 2,100 feet
of new multi-use trail and 500 feet of trail with overlook from the North Head Lighthouse parking lot to
Bell's View at Cape Disappointment; improved one mile of existing trail at Wolfe Property, adjacent to
Kitsap Memorial; completed quarter-mile of existing trail at Potlatch Park – connecting the south and
north campground.
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 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; hikers
walk the trails at Dosewallips State Park; 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
. . . so that parks and recreation opportunities are available to meet future needs in a
growing state.
Progress on expansion parks:
- 2005: Nine parks and a trail were identified for expansion.
- 2006: Budget work for projects completed.
- 2007: Planning and development continues.
- 2008: Planning and development continues.
- 2009: Planning and development continues.
- 2010 Progress:
- Beacon Rock – Completed repairs made to Beacon Rock Trail.
- Belfair – Re-established nearly 10 acres of estuary at Belfair State Park by removing fill and rip-rap and re-establishing beach contours.
- Millersylvania - Replaced old electric water heaters with on-demand heaters in the environmental learning center.
- Cape Disappointment – Completed phase 1 of Lewis & Clark Confluence-Baker Bay Trail (625 feet of trail with overlook at boat launch area); reroofed Lighthouse Keepers' residence.
- Millersylvania – replaced old electric water heaters with on-demand heaters at ELC.
Progress on new parks:
- Lake Spokane: No additional progress.
- Miller Peninsula: No additional progress.
- Nisqually-Mashel: No additional progress.
Park improvements
Left: New campground loop and picnic facilities at Grayland Beach State Park
Right: New yurt at Kanaskat-Palmer 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.
2010 Historic site progress:
- South Cle Elum Depot at Iron Horse State Park – Completed phase 1 for rehabilitation of substation into museum. Depot project completed and open, 2006
- Saint Edward State Park Seminary – Phase 1 restoration work completed in 2009. No additional work completed in 2010.
- Fort Simcoe – Officer's Quarters stabilization project completed. Work included replacing perimeter structural beams and skirting boards, adjusting grade clearances, repairing exterior holes in 2010.
 |  |
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 completed on interpretive exhibit display for visitors at
several parks: Sun Lakes-Dry Falls; Palouse Falls; Gingko Petrified Forest; Beacon Rock; Steamboat Rock;
Yakima Sportsman. Developing a conceptual site, building, interpretive plan for Dry Falls Visitor Center,
Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park.
- 2009 progress: Designed and sited three interpretive panels for Columbia Hills State Park; completed
design work for Dry Falls Interpretive Center; working with advocates of federal legislation and affected agencies to pursue.
- 2010 progress: No additional progress made in 2010.
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
100 citizen gift improvements enhance parks all over Washington. . . so that citizens
contribute to their favorite parks.
Progress: 61 of 100 citizen gift improvement projects were complete at the end of 2010.
Gift projects
Working together: Park managers are working with friends groups, communities, and
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.