Latest from The Spokesman-Review

• Big changes for state parks topic of upcoming meetings

  May 16, 2012 in City Washington State Parks officials have set meetings in Spokane to discuss potentially sweeping changes in management of facilities at Riverside and Mount Spokane. 6

• Mount Spokane gets $300,000 for new nordic ski trail groomer

  February 19, 2012 in Outdoors on Page C12 Washington’s Winter Recreation Advisory Committee has approved $300,000 to purchase a larger snowcat groomer to maintain the 30 kilometers of nordic trails at Mount Spokane State Park. George Momany, the …

• More portable Discover Pass aim of bills

  January 27, 2012 in City on Page A6 OLYMPIA – Washington residents quickly discovered something they didn’t like about the Discover Pass when it was introduced last year to raise money for parks and other state lands: It …

• State parks’ pass is on ice for weekend, so you’re free to frolic

  January 15, 2012 in City on Page B1 Washington State Parks began charging for access last year after millions of dollars in budget cuts, but access is free this weekend. “I think it’s perfect,” said Amanda Haan, who …

• Field reports: State Parks staff to be cut 30 percent

  December 11, 2011 in Outdoors on Page C11 PUBLIC LANDS – Nearly a third of Washington’s year-round state parks staffers are being notified this week they likely will be laid off as a result of lagging sales of …

• Parks staffing in flux as shortfall forces cuts

  December 9, 2011 in City on Page A1 Riverside and Mount Spokane state parks likely will be combined and full-time employees reduced by about 40 percent as Washington State Parks officials scramble to slash the agency’s spending. A … 1

• Cash-strapped state parks banking on Discover Pass, new approach

  December 4, 2011 in Outdoors on Page C14 The Washington State Parks system, the fourth oldest in the nation, is at a brink of uncertainty in the state’s lingering budget crisis. After 98 years, officials are looking at … 23

• Out & About: Parking pass requirements confusing at Mount Spokane

  December 4, 2011 in Outdoors on Page C14 OUTPAY – Washington’s new Discover Pass is not a substitute for Sno-Park Permits at Mount Spokane parking areas for snowshoeing, snowmobiling and nordic skiing – a rule that caused considerable … 2

• Park pass not raising expected revenue

  November 14, 2011 in Outdoors, City on Page A8 TACOMA – Sales of a new Washington state park parking pass – the Discover Pass – is not raising the cash officials expected. Lawmakers have mostly cut off parks from … 4

• Mount Spokane transitions to winter

  October 16, 2011 in Outdoors on Page C11 Mount Spokane State Park rangers will lock the gate on the road to the mountain’s summit tonight (Oct. 16). The upper road closing marks the beginning of the transition from …

• Discover Pass now required

  September 15, 2011 in Outdoors on Page K5 Washington’s new Discover Pass, required on vehicles accessing most state lands, might impact some sportsmen even though they get a parking permit when they buy their hunting and fishing licenses. …

• Little Spokane River a top attraction

  July 17, 2011 on Page C10 The Little Spokane River Natural Area, managed in north Spokane by Riverside State Park, is one of the region’s top outdoor recreation attractions. Its trails lure scores of dayhikers.

• Wash.’s new Discover Pass slow to be discovered by masses

  July 17, 2011 on Page C10 Despite statewide media reports for the past several months, people are still showing up at Washington state parks with no clue that a Discover Pass has been required for vehicles … 1

• Recreationists may need more than one vehicle pass

  June 26, 2011 in Outdoors on Page C12 People who recreate outdoors in the Pacific Northwest must tune in more carefully to requirements for vehicle passes – not only on state lands, but also on private and federal … 1

• Washington will require vehicle pass for state parks, other lands

  June 26, 2011 in Outdoors on Page C12 Washington State Parks rangers and managers of other state lands are gearing up for the debut of the Discover Pass, which will be required for motor vehicle access to most … 3

• Discover Pass: Answers to frequently asked questions

  June 26, 2011 in Outdoors on Page C12 Where is Discover Pass valid? Starting in July, Washington’s Discover Pass offers access to nearly 7 million acres of state recreation lands, including about 100 developed state parks.

• Fees approved for state’s parks, recreation areas

  May 13, 2011 in City on Page A1 OLYMPIA – Planning on driving to a state park or recreation area for some fun in the great outdoors after July 1? It’ll cost you. The same for visiting a … 35

• Out & About: Rare namesake born at Wild Horse Island

  April 24, 2011 in Outdoors on Page C10 For the first time in more than a century, a wild horse has given birth on Flathead Lake’s Wild Horse Island.

• Landers: Sportsmen fee hikes loom in Olympia

  April 21, 2011 in Outdoors on Page B1 Many loose ends still need to be tied in Olympia, but as the Washington Legislature tries to wrap up, it’s at least clear that cougar hunting with hounds has been … 1

• Budget cuts close Crawford, Peshastin state parks

  March 9, 2011 in City on Page A9 Two state parks on the east side of the Cascades – Crawford and Peshastin Pinnacles – will not open this season because of state budget cuts, and more closures are …

• Lake Wenatchee Park partially reopened

  August 30, 2010 in Outdoors Worries about diseased trees have prompted three-fourths of the popular Lake Wenatchee State Park camping areas to be closed for the Labor Day weekend.

• Citizens, now’s the time to weed out intruders

  April 8, 2010 in Outdoors on Page B1 Everyone who enjoys wildlife and wildflowers should enlist in the war on weeds, or be drafted. That means everybody, from the big-game trophy hunter to the ladies in the morning …

• Skiers rise above the fog

  February 7, 2010 in Outdoors Sunscreen and sunglasses were essential on a brilliant Sunday morning at Mount Spokane even though a thick layer of fog made things dreary in the Spokane Valley below.

• Half of state drivers give $5 to parks

  January 29, 2010 in City About half the state drivers are donating $5 to state parks when renewing vehicle licenses. The state Parks and Recreation Commission says that’s a little less than officials expected when … 9

• Washington drivers letting $5 go to parks

  October 15, 2009 in City Many drivers renewing their license tabs are allowing $5 donations to go to Washington state parks. The state collected $1.4 million in September, the first month the opt-out system took …

• Field Reports: Drivers can boost parks

  August 30, 2009 in Sports, Outdoors on Page C9 STATE PARKS – Washington drivers who renew their license tabs starting in September will be donating $5 to the operation of state parks unless they chose to “opt out.” The …

• Washington drivers may be asked for parks funds

  April 21, 2009 in City on Page A6 OLYMPIA – In a move designed to stave off the closure of dozens of state parks, the state House voted Monday to ask motorists to pay an extra $5 a … 1

• House approves $5 car fee to help state parks

  April 20, 2009 in News Washington’s House of Representatives has approved a voluntary $5-a-car annual fee to raise millions of dollars to keep cash-strapped state parks open.

• State assumes last resort

  April 15, 2007 in Outdoors on Page T1 Nine Mile Resort on Lake Spokane opened for the season Friday, a couple of weeks earlier than normal and under new management. Riverside State Park has signed a 30-year lease …