State officials and park rangers officially dedicated a 15-mile section of
the Columbia Plateau Trail near Ice Harbor Dam Tuesday. The segment is part
of a cross state trail system that follows an abandoned railroad
right-of-way from Franklin County northeast to Fish Lake near Cheney. Rex
Derr, director of the state Parks and Recreation Commission, said the newly
reworked section of trail fits perfectly with amenities along the Snake
River, providing walking and biking access to several day use and wildlife
areas between the dam and the Snake River Junction. Derr said Washington's
trail system is being completed in preparation for the park and recreation
commission's 100th anniversary in 2013.
tricityherald.com/Richard Dickin and John Trumbo
Similar stories:
Richland seeks input on future parks plan
Richland seeks input on future parks plan
RICHLAND -- Richland is conducting a series of public meetings to address the plan that guides planning for municipal parks and recreation needs.
The city is seeking input on how best to serve the community when it comes to opportunities for facilities as well as cultural, recreational and leisure activities.
The plan, which is reviewed on a six-year basis, will expire in June. The Parks, Trails and Open Space Master Plan is a Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office requirement for acquiring state grants.
Cross-country skiing across the Northwest
Cross-country skiing across the Northwest
SEATTLE -- When winter slithers into Seattle, bringing dank darkness, it's easy to hide in the house and yearn for spring.
Don't.
Instead, head for the snow and go cross-country skiing.
Discover Pass blamed for loss of 160 state jobs
Discover Pass blamed for loss of 160 state jobs
OLYMPIA -- Almost a third of Washington's year-round state parks staffers are being notified this week that they likely will be laid off as a result of lagging sales of the new Discover Pass.
Seasonal jobs will replace most of the 160 positions targeted in this week's action by the State Parks and Recreation Commission. Some of the same employees might end up taking those jobs, but only for about five months of the year.
It will mean fewer hands for the work that occupies front-line staff during the colder months -- the kind of work being done this month at Millersylvania State Park south of Olympia by park ranger John Lipparelli, who learned this week that he may lose his job.
Methow Valley area no longer in national park proposal
Methow Valley area no longer in national park proposal
MAZAMA -- A plan to add about 109,000 acres of the Methow Valley Ranger District to the North Cascades National Park has been dropped, due to opposition from mountain bikers, hunters, dog-owning hikers and others.
The American Alps Legacy Project on Friday released its final proposal, which would now add nearly 238,000 acres to the park, instead of the 350,000 acres once envisioned.
Established in 1968, the 684,000-acre park would increase by more than one-third its current size, and could bring more than 1,000 new jobs to rural communities surrounding the park, an economic study of the proposal found. The park is one of the least-visited in the lower 48 states.
Levee section work at Eschbach Park to start in 2012
Levee section work at Eschbach Park to start in 2012
YAKIMA -- Work will start next year to remove sections of levees along Eschbach Park on the Naches River to increase the river's capacity to handle flooding and improve fish habitat.
The project by Yakima County will also reduce erosion of private property on the river's east bank. Flood damage in 1996 moved the river channel to the east, directing flows toward private property.
The work, using federal salmon recovery grants, is expected to result in the Naches River inundating part of the 50-acre park along South Naches Road during spring high water flows.
Print
Email Story
