Andy Fitz
03-21-2006, 07:45 AM
Yesterday, Governor Gregoire signed a law that repeals the $5 daily fees charged at Washington State Parks. Here's a link to the press release announcing the signing: http://access.wa.gov/news/2006/Mar/n2006220_0640.aspx.
The law goes into effect on April 9, but according to the Tacoma News Tribune, State Parks director Rex Derr says that Parks' staff will not be enforcing fee collection from this point on.
This means you no longer need to pay to park and climb at Beacon Rock, Horsethief Butte, Peshastin, Exit 38 (Mt. Washington parking lot), Larrabee, or Deep Creek.
This obviously makes it easier and cheaper to climb at these spots, which is great, but it spotlights funding issues for State Parks. The agency truly operates on a shoestring budget. Before the agency started charging fees, it was continually looking at closing parks, including Peshastin. We need to support better funding for State Parks from the state legislature.
The law goes into effect on April 9, but according to the Tacoma News Tribune, State Parks director Rex Derr says that Parks' staff will not be enforcing fee collection from this point on.
This means you no longer need to pay to park and climb at Beacon Rock, Horsethief Butte, Peshastin, Exit 38 (Mt. Washington parking lot), Larrabee, or Deep Creek.
This obviously makes it easier and cheaper to climb at these spots, which is great, but it spotlights funding issues for State Parks. The agency truly operates on a shoestring budget. Before the agency started charging fees, it was continually looking at closing parks, including Peshastin. We need to support better funding for State Parks from the state legislature.