Possible State Park Closures now up to 15

The Governor and Legislature are faced with a huge challenge as they work to adopt and sign a final state budget for the 2009-11 biennium, which begins July 1, 2009. The deepening national recession and decreasing state revenue predictions have created an unprecedented situation for our state budget – one that will mean sacrifices in all kinds of state services. 

In the Governor’s proposal, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission would reduce its budget by 10 percent – approximately $10 million, to do its part in dealing with the state’s revenue shortfall. The final budget is scheduled for adoption in late April.

The agency already has made reductions in headquarters, region offices and in the parks to get through the current fiscal year. State Parks will make other cuts first before moving to park closures to reduce its budget in 2009-11. In an agency where at least 75 percent of funding goes directly to operate parks, a reduction of this magnitude affects parks and services.

Following is the list of State Parks’ proposed reductions under the Governor’s budget:

1.       Reduce administrative and program functions in headquarters and close one region office: State Parks will reduce staffing from administrative and program functions and go from operating four region offices to three region offices, in order to save remaining resources for core activities. Reduction: $3.5 million, some commensurate with park closures.

2.       Reduce equipment replacement program: State Parks has made progress in replacing obsolete equipment during the past few years, but in times like these, this program must be placed on hold. Reduction: Approximately $2 million

3.       Eliminate specific “extra” funded services: These are services and programs that State Parks knows are valued by visitors but are not core services for State Parks. In times like these, to preserve core services, State Parks would eliminate agency funding support for partner-initiated or shared programming and concession activities and drop some funded programs considered non-core. Reduction: $1 million

4.       Expand seasonal closures and transfer, mothball or close parks: Extend or expand seasonal park closures and transfer, mothball or close 15 parks and an environmental education program. $3.5 million (direct park cost, not considering region and centralized overhead costs).

13 parks available for transfer: Of the parks identified for possible closure, 13 could eventually be transferred to other government or non-profit owners. The Commission intends that the parks remain available to the public. These are Osoyoos, Brooks Memorial, Schafer, Bogachiel, Tolmie, Fay Bainbridge, Fort Okanogan, Wenberg, Fort Ward, Joemma Beach, Kopachuck, Lake Sylvia and Old Fort Townsend.

Other closures: Moran environmental education program could be closed with the possibility it could be reopened at a later time when state resources become available. State Parks is continuing to analyze costs and revenues associated with the Center. Nolte and Squilchuck state parks also would be closed until state resources once again became available. These properties would remain in the state inventory.

State Parks will honor any camping reservations in the affected parks through Labor Day of 2009. Some of the other parks could close earlier.

How the parks were chosen: The 13 parks that could be transferred to other owners are in a category of parks deemed by the Commission as “potentially consistent” with the Centennial 2013 Vision. The Commission’s vision, adopted in 2003, identifies a system of parks of uncommon quality,” parks of statewide or greater regional significance. In 2004, the Commission set out to evaluate each and every park property in the State Parks system using a nine-point metric to determine whether the state was holding properties appropriate for state parks. During the two-year process, several park properties (undeveloped) were deemed inconsistent with the Vision, and these properties have largely been sold, with the proceeds going into the state mandated “parks acquisition account” to be used only for purchase of other parklands. “Potentially consistent” parks are those that were recognized as needing a significant investment in the future to bring them to the standard of the Centennial Vision. During discussions, the Commission noted that these parks also could be suitable for eventual operation by other government or non-profit entities.

Criteria used:  The parks were evaluated using these criteria: significance (historic or uncommon natural or cultural resources; high visitation or operating at a high percentage of capacity; number and quality of visitor experiences; unique experiences; outstanding example of specific habitat or flora and fauna; well-known for scenic qualities; of sufficient size to accommodate current and future park uses and still maintain quality of experience; condition of facilities or buildings onsite; high ratio of earned revenue to management cost.

What’s next: The Legislature is expected to adopt its budget, with the Governor signing the final budget into law in April 2009. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission then will implement the budget that is adopted.

Citizen comment: Citizens may comment to the Commission by e-mail to: pao@parks.wa.gov, or by letter to Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, P.O. Box 2650, Olympia, WA, 98504-2650. Citizens also may comment on budget proposals at Commission regular public meetings. For up-to-date information about meeting times, locations and agendas, visit www.parks.wa.gov/commtg.asp.

1-26-09