OUTDOOR RECREATION -- Gov. Jay Inslee’s new Task Force on Parks and Outdoor Recreation will meet Tuesday in Spokane as part of a summer-long effort to develop a plan for encouraging outdoor recreation and boosting related jobs and businesses.

The session is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in Room 205, Nursing Building, WSU Riverpoint Campus, 103 E. Spokane Falls Blvd.

A public comment period at the meeting will start at 11:50 a.m., but the public is invited to submit ideas online throughout the summer.

Inslee said he's focusing attention on outdoor recreation because it directly supports 227,000 jobs in Washington and generates more than $22 billion in annual spending on things like equipment, lodging and apparel.

The 28-member task force, which has been meeting since April, plans to complete its work by September 19.

Subcommittees will be reporting on four topics: meeting future recreational needs, getting more people outdoors, economic development and the state’s role in providing outdoor recreation.

Take the Poll about Funding Recreation

Visit Engage Outdoor Washington at www.engageoutdoorwashington.com.

The task force is asking new questions each week about different recreation issues. Last week, the task force asked who participates less frequently in outdoor recreation in Washington and why?

A poll about funding for parks is asking:

• How much more would you be willing to pay annually for parks and outdoor recreation?
• Would you designate these funds for city, county or state lands?

The task force includes 16 voting members who are citizens involved in outdoor recreation and recreation-related businesses, 8 state agency representatives and 4 legislators.