burlmart wrote: I dunno… The land is paid for, and surely the state can periodically maintain the roads, sewer/water pipes, and electric thru its DOT. ....
Actually the Washington State Parks don't own all of "their" parks, many are leased. The typical lease agreement reads that if Washington closes the park, the lease is canceled and the property owner gets all the improvements, gratis.
That little fact stopped the State from closing a bunch a few years ago.
Washington has tried the daily pass thing twice now, the first time it vanished as fewer people went to the parks. We certainly did, at least day-use. Why when the county and city parks are free?
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Actually the Washington State Parks don't own all of "their" parks, many are leased. The typical lease agreement reads that if Washington closes the park, the lease is canceled and the property owner gets all the improvements, gratis.
That little fact stopped the State from closing a bunch a few years ago.
Washington has tried the daily pass thing twice now, the first time it vanished as fewer people went to the parks. We certainly did, at least day-use. Why when the county and city parks are free?
I suppose if my novice business idea had any merit, it would still be feasible for the state to charge rent for the land and cut the real owner in on a good share.
Day passes are common. If your municipal parks are lacking and/or the state parks have nice things like waterfalls, trails, beaches, rock hills, etc., the passes seem worth the money - we've paid just to walk dogs on trails (if allowed).
Just another case of the little guy paying for the biggies to run off with all the money. When will this stop. These parks are part of the infrastructure that creates a country!
burlmart wrote: I dunno… The land is paid for, and surely the state can periodically maintain the roads, sewer/water pipes, and electric thru its DOT. ....
Actually the Washington State Parks don't own all of "their" parks, many are leased. The typical lease agreement reads that if Washington closes the park, the lease is canceled and the property owner gets all the improvements, gratis.
That little fact stopped the State from closing a bunch a few years ago.
????
I've done a TON of research on Washington Parks since the local fiasco started, and I can't think of a single State Park that isn't owned outright by the State- can you give an example?
It's more often the case that the land in question was acquired from the Federal Government, which transactions usually include a reversion clause requiring that the land must stay in recreational use or revert back to the Feds.
" Not every mind that wanders is lost. " With apologies toJ.R.R. Tolkien
I've done a TON of research on Washington Parks since the local fiasco started, and I can't think of a single State Park that isn't owned outright by the State- can you give an example?
It's more often the case that the land in question was acquired from the Federal Government, which transactions usually include a reversion clause requiring that the land must stay in recreational use or revert back to the Feds.
Well! If that's the case, there is no real problem, is there...simply let it revert back to the Feds. Heck, they are rolling in money and have all sorts of valuable experience in managing such things, right?
Francesca, are you by any chance on the citizens' advisory board? I volunteered to give input and answer questionnaires, etc. The ensuing volumes of bureaucratic gobbledygook was enough to gag a maggot. I realized then and there that part of the problem is that the parks department is hopelessly lost in its own maze.
"Is Washington State the New Model for State Parks?"
no, because California has already been awarded this dubious honor, due it being on the forefront of poor management of its state parks.
Does Washington SP dept. have a $54 million slush fund, while it closes its parks? California does.
our basic no-hookup campsites are $40/nite, now, up from $35 last year. Coastal park campsites are up to $55-$65/nite.
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I have some good friends working for WA State Parks, and either have or probably will lose their jobs. Maintenance is being deferred, yet the ratio of office to field employees continues to favor Olympia by a great margin.
Funding schemes have been ill-conceived and have returned fewer fees than projected.
This week we just stayed at Confluence SP in Wenatchee with a 30a failing electrical system ($46 with reservation fee) and at Wenatchee River County Park with 50a service ($30) that also offered wi-fi, and had an overall better appearance. The CG hosts at Confluence SP were very helpful, but were fighting a losing battle.
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