Parks Added

Sun., Oct. 20, 1996

State Parks

The Washington State Parks Department has expanded its telephone reservation system to include 11 more parks for the 1997 season.

Starting Oct. 1, they began taking reservations from campers looking to get a jump on the best wiener roasting sites. The system, which parks deputy director Russ Cahill called “overwhelmly popular” last year, allows campers to make reservations up to 11 months in advance.

The eleven parks to be included under the expanded reservation system are Bay View in Skagit County, Crow Butte in Benton County, Curlew Lake in Ferry County, Fort Ebey and South Whidbey, both in Island County, Kanaskat-Palmer in King County, Lake Wenatchee in Chelan County, Osoyoos Lake in Okanogan County, Riverside in Spokane County, Wanapum in Kittitas County, and Yakima Sportsman in Yakima County.

In addition, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission has approved plans to partially or fully close 65 of its 124 developed state parks in the coming weeks for maintenance and repairs.

The campground at Mt. Spokane is already closed, although winter facilities will remain open. Moses Lake is now open only on weekends and during holidays. Both Curlew Lake and Franklin County’s Lions Ferry close completely Oct. 28.

Central Ferry State Park in Whitman County closes its day-use facilities Oct. 21 and will completely close Nov. 12. Chief Timothy will be open only on weekends and holidays beginning Dec. 2, but its boat launch will remain open throughout the year.

, DataTimes

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