Washington State Park System
| File:Centenniallogo.jpg Logo in use for 2013 centennial | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1913 |
| Headquarters | 1111 Israel Road S.W., Olympia, Washington[1] |
| Annual budget | $76 million ($152 million for 2009-11 biennium)[1] |
| Website | www |
The Washington State Park System is a set of state parks owned by the state government of Washington, USA. They are managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. As of 2011, the parks are primarily funded through the state's general fund, augmented by usage fees. There are over 100 parks throughout the state, including 21 marine parks.
History
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The park system was established in 1913 by the creation of the Washington State Board of Park Commissioners. The first two parks were formed from donated land in 1915, and by 1929 the state had seven parks. In 1947 the State Parks Committee was renamed to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and given authority to oversee the state park system. By 1960 the number of state parks had increased to 130.
Law enforcement
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Park Rangers are full-authority law enforcement officers while they are on State Park lands. Park Rangers attend either the Parks Law Enforcement Academy (PLEA) held each winter/spring at Skagit Valley Community College or the Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) at the Criminal Justice Training Center. Park Rangers are dispatched by the Washington State Patrol.
Budget
The sources of funding for Washington State Parks have shifted in recent years. The state's budget, which is enacted biennially (every two years),[2] has faced multibillion dollar deficits. Washington's 2007–09 budget provided most of the funding for the state parks from the general tax fund, however with each successive budget that share has decreased. It is anticipated that this trend will continue into the 2013–15 budget.[3]
In an effort to make up for the lost funding, in 2011 the State Legislature enacted a $10 day-use permit and a $30 annual pass, called the Discover Pass, for vehicles to enter state parks and other recreational lands owned or managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.[4] The new fees did not raise as much money as was hoped, though another effort to encourage donation when renewing certain state licenses (including driver's licenses) were more successful than officials expected. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission has focused on reducing park staff to keep a balanced budget, worrying that closing parks would have a counterproductive impact on Discover Pass sales.[5]
See also
References
- ^ a b Commission and agency information from the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission website
- ^ "Washington State Budget Process" (PDF). State of Washington Office of Financial Management, Budget Division. 2012.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ "Financial overview". Washington State Parks. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
- ^ Wong, Queenie (April 21, 2011). "Bill for parks fee goes to Gregoire". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
- ^ Bray, Kari (September 2, 2012). "Budget cuts scorch Washington state parks". The Oregonian. OregonLive.
External links
