News Release 12-089
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
1111 Israel Road S.W., P.O. Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650, (360) 902-8500
Don Hoch, Director
Media contact:
Tina Dinzl-Pederson, (360) 387-3342 Tina.Dinzl-Pederson@parks.wa.gov
Paul McEvers, (360) 676-2093 Paul.McEvers@parks.wa.gov
Hilary Schult, (360) 902-8604 Hilary.Schult@parks.wa.gov
Wash. Telecommunications Relay Service: (800) 833-6388
Discover the Mountains and the Sea at Larrabee State Park
OLYMPIA –
Sept. 5, 2012 –
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission invites the public to Discover the Mountains and the Sea at Larrabee – a Centennial 2013 event at Larrabee State Park on Samish Bay.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 22 at Larrabee State Park, 245 Chuckanut Drive in Bellingham. As part of Whatcom’s Water Weeks, celebrate the natural beauty of Larrabee State Park. Visitors may explore booths and hands-on activities by local organizations working to help restore the environment. The event features live music, games, guided trail walks, educational displays and demonstrations, crafts and more. Admission is free. The Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to the festival.
Geocachers may participate in two programs during the event. Connect with other geocachers from 8:30 to 9 a.m. during a meet and greet in the day-use area. From 4:15 to 6 p.m., experienced geocachers may learn more about geocaching in state parks and protecting natural resources at ‘Cache In, Trash Out.’
Discover the Mountains and the Sea at Larrabee is one of many Centennial 2013 events leading up to the park system’s 100th birthday in 2013. Events include park fun days, tours, demonstrations, cultural, music and arts events, interpretive activities, recreation days and more. For information about State Parks events in this 100th celebration year, visit www.parks.wa.gov/events and watch for reminders on State Parks social media.
Discover the Mountains and the Sea at Larrabee is part of Whatcom Water Weeks, running Sept. 8 through 22. Whatcom Water Weeks is organized by the Whatcom Watershed Information Network. Throughout the multi-week event, government agencies, non-profit organizations, educational institutions and citizens involved in marine and fresh water ecosystem and natural resources education present water-oriented programs aiming to teach the public about water’s role in daily life. For more information about Whatcom Water Weeks, visit www.whatcomwin.org.
Larrabee State Park is a 2,683-acre camping park with 8,100 feet of saltwater shoreline on Samish Bay near Bellingham in northwest Washington. The park features two freshwater lakes, coves and tidelands. The area of Larrabee State Park became Washington’s first state park when the Washington State Board of Park Commissioners accepted it as one of two private citizen land donations in 1915. The park is now a popular destination for trail runs and bike races, featuring a variety of non-motorized, multiple-use trails that wind through the park.
Stay connected to your state parks by following Washington State Parks at www.facebook.com/WashingtonStateParks, www.twitter.com/WaStatePks_NEWS and www.youtube.com/WashingtonStateParks. Share your favorite state park adventure on the new State Parks’ blog site at www.AdventureAwaits.com.
The Commission manages a diverse system of more than 100 state parks and recreation programs, including long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation. The 99-year-old park system will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013.
Support state parks by purchasing your annual Discover Pass today, and enjoy a whole year of outdoor fun on Washington’s beautiful state-managed recreation lands. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
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