Water Safety Reminders as Boating Season Begins
OLYMPIA – May 15, 2024 – Recreational boating is a popular pastime in Washington. In fact, nearly 225,000 vessels were registered in 2023. When you include Washington residents who own at least one canoe, kayak, rowboat or stand-up paddle board, boats and boaters are everywhere! During the month of May, those who participate in boating activities (and those who don’t!) are encouraged to keep safety in mind.
Recreation is not without risk. The chilly waters of the Pacific Northwest can be unforgiving, and safety must be on the minds of everyone who plays in and around Washington’s waterways…
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08/31/2023
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Parks) has implemented changes to its Foster Family Program to provide more families with the opportunity to camp and enjoy parks.
The changes include a new streamlined application process, an official discount pass card for families to carry and an expansion of the program to include more qualifying families.
The Foster Family Pass gives Washington residents who provide out-of-home care – including foster parents, caregivers and kinship families – to a minor child access to free nightly camping (reservation processing fees still apply)… Read more
08/28/2023
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Parks) is excited to expand its pilot program for same-day reservations at select parks.
Beginning Sept. 5, Park visitors can make same-day camping reservations at Millersylvania and Cape Disappointment as well as Deception Pass, which has offered same-day reservations for more than five years. With the expansion of the program, Deception Pass will also begin accepting same-day reservations during the off season.
Same-day reservations will allow visitors to secure campsites before heading to a park instead of loading up and arriving in… Read more
08/14/2023
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its regularly scheduled commission work session virtually on Aug. 23.
Commission work session items include an update from the Planning Program, an overview of a potential lease of the Federal Bureau of Reclamation’s Scooteney Park, an overview of a potential expansion of the long-term park boundary at Pearrygin Lake State Park and a financial update.
This is an online meeting, and all Parks staff and commissioners will be attending virtually. However, the Commission will provide a meeting space for the public to watch at the… Read more
07/20/2023
The outdoors is one our most powerful teachers and now more children will have access to its lessons.
The No Child Left Inside (NCLI) grant program, awarded by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Parks), will provide more than $6.7 million for 92 projects dedicated to expanding outdoor recreation and education opportunities for underserved youth in Washington. NCLI also will leverage more than $6.8 million in matching resources from grant recipients, increasing the investment in youth education and wellbeing.
“The world comes to Washington to experience our natural… Read more
07/18/2023
Washington State Governor Jay Inslee has issued a proclamation declaring the week of July 21-27 to be statewide Paddle Safe Week. In partnership with the Washington State Parks Boating Program, Paddle Safe Week will lead a statewide effort to create a culture of safety around paddle sports. The campaign recognizes that Washington's diverse waterways require different skills, preparation, and safety equipment.In the last five years, paddlers have come to represent 55% of the statewide recreational boating fatalities. Growing popularity and lack of safety education have contributed to this… Read more
07/05/2023
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its regular hybrid commission meeting on Thurs., July 13, 2023, at the Ocean Shores Convention Center. The public is welcome to attend in-person or online.
Agenda items include:
Requested approval of policy options and delegation of authority to finalize and submit agency-requested legislation proposals to the Governor's Office for consideration.
Requested approval of the 2024 supplemental operating budget request.
Requested approval of the 2024 supplemental capital budget request.
Revision of Washington Administrative Code… Read more
06/29/2023
OLYMPIA – June 29, 2023 – Washington's state parks are some of the most iconic in the country. Now, more families will be able to experience the beauty in their backyard thanks to the expanded Check Out Washington program.
This year, Check Out Washington will provide 500 Adventure Packs with Discover passes – up from 400 in 2022 – to local libraries around the state. The program has also expanded into new regions, including Bellingham Public Library, Ellensburg Public Library, Fort Vancouver Regional Library and Whatcom County Library.
Check Out Washington is a collaborative… Read more
06/22/2023
OLYMPIA – June 22, 2023 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Parks) asks everyone who is planning a Fourth of July celebration at a park or on the beach to be safe and protect their friends, neighbors, public lands and wildlife. Parks sees a dramatic increase in visitation during Independence Day celebrations, particularly on its beaches. The increase in traffic also increases the amount of trash left behind. Last year, volunteers collected more than 35,000 pounds of garbage from ocean beaches during Parks' annual July 5 beach cleanup. That's equivalent to the combined… Read more
06/13/2023
OLYMPIA – June 13, 2023 – Plan your next adventure along the Willapa Hills Trail and explore the brand-new multi-use Littell Bridge near the Adna Trailhead. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Parks) is pleased to announce the completion of the Littell Bridge. The new bridge gives trail-goers a safe crossing over State Route 6 (SR 6) as they explore the long-distance trail on foot, bike or horseback. The community is invited to come out and celebrate during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 23. Then, get out and enjoy the beauty of the Willapa Hills Trail with Lewis County… Read more
06/09/2023
Overnight mooring space may be limited during maintenance workOLYMPIA – June 9, 2023 – The Washington State Parks and recreation Commission (Parks) will complete routine inspection and maintenance of 180 public mooring buoys in parks this summer. Work will begin in north and central Puget Sound on Monday, June 12, and will continue across Puget Sound through June.The maintenance project will service state-owned public mooring buoys to ensure they are in top condition for boaters during the height of the summer season. Boaters should be cautious of repair divers in the area and allow extra… Read more