Fun Jeopardized

Washington State Parks

Washington’s state parks need immediate help, supporters say.

Parks funding is so pitiful, legislative action is necessary during the current session to avoid park closures, according to the Coalition for Parks and Recreation.

“Parks are 1/4 of 1 percent of the state budget,” said coalition member Anne Cox Preecs in the Tri-Cities. “The public needs to call legislators to support an increase to 1/3 of 1 percent. That’s not asking too much.”

Last summer, parks director Cleve Pinnix said he would have to close some state parks without additional funding. Some legislators took note. However, people rural areas chose to lash back at Pinnix for threatening to close parks near their communities.

Cox Preecs, a former member of the Parks and Recreation Commission, said the financial situation is serious.

“We are not asking for huge stadiums that many cannot afford to visit,” she said. “We are asking for parks, where families can have fun together.”

Some legislators working on the state budget don’t seem to understand the importance of parks, she said.

“Just barely avoiding state park closures is not enough. Twenty years of neglect must be addressed.”

Info: Friends of Washington State Parks (206) 325-7543 or Coalition for Parks and Recreation via the Internet at cpr4parks@yahoo.com.