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Don Hoch Direc tor STATE O F

WASHINGTON STATE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSI ON

1111 Israel Ro ad S.W.  P.O . Box 42650  Olympia, WA 98504-2650  (360) 902-8500 TDD Telecommunications De vice for the De af: 800-833 -6388 www.parks.s tate.wa.us

March 22, 2018

Item E-5: Trail – Renaming Effort/Trail Update – Report

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This item reports to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission the current status of the process to rename the Iron Horse State Park Trail (which includes the John Wayne Pioneer Trail) and a verbal update on recent trail management activities. This item advances the Commission’s strategic goal: “Provide recreation, cultural, and interpretive opportunities people will want.”

SIGNIFICANT BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Initial acquisition of Iron Horse State Park Trail by the State of Washington occurred in 1981. While supported by many, the sale of the former rail line was controversial for adjacent property owners, some of whom felt that the rail line should have reverted back to adjacent land owners. This concern, first expressed at initial purchase of the trail, continues to influence trail operation today.

The trail is located south of, and runs roughly parallel to I-90 (see Appendix 1). The 285-mile linear property extends from North Bend, at its western terminus, to the Town of Tekoa, on the Washington- border to the east. The property consists of former railroad corridor, the width of which varies between 100 feet and 300 feet. The trail tread itself is typically 8 to 12 feet wide and has been developed on the rail bed, trestles, and tunnels of the old Chicago Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail Road. While State Parks ownership is not continuous across the entire 285-mile railroad corridor it does include 110 miles of continuous ownership from North Bend to the near Vantage, and 105 miles of continuous ownership (with short private property gaps) from Lind to the Idaho border.

Most Recent Commission Action on the Trail The most recent Commission action of the trail occurred in 2016 when land classifications and a long-term boundary were adopted for portions of the trail section east of the Columbia River. As part of this July 21, 2016 agenda item the Commission:  Adopted a Resolution reaffirming support for an east-west cross-state trail;  Directed staff to work with the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to develop a transition plan for the DNR-managed trail corridor between the Columbia River at Beverly Bridge;  Directed staff to work with Iron Horse State Park Trail stakeholders to recommend a new name that considers establishing a broadly recognizable and marketable identity for the trail.

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This Report discusses the trail naming component of the Commissions’ 2016 action.

Initial Trail Naming The park was initially named at the March 15, 1985 Commission meeting where the railroad corridor (which is a linear park) was named “Iron Horse State Park” and the trail tread itself within the railroad corridor was named the “John Wayne Pioneer Trail.”

As part of the 1985 Commission naming action two public meetings were held to solicit suggestions and comments. Park staff brought forward 5 names based on existing policy and public input. The 5 names considered as part of the 1985 naming effort were:

 John Wayne Pioneer Trail  Trail  Iron Horse Recreational Trail  Great-Walk-of-Washington  Upper Trail

Since initial naming, staff has found the current name to be confusing for trail users. West of the Columbia River the trail has come to be referred to as the Iron Horse trail and east of the Columbia River it’s called the John Wayne Pioneer trail giving the impression that they are 2 different trails rather the Washington’s legislatively established cross-state trail. In past trail planning processes trail users have also expressed concern that John Wayne had no actual connection to . Other comments have expressed a desire to use a name that focuses more on the history or geographic features associated with the trail and railroad.

Supporters of the John Wayne name suggest that the name itself was instrumental in the trail coming into existence. In particular, the John Wayne Pioneer Wagons and Riders, a group that was involved in initial establishment of the trail and conducts a yearly long distance trail ride, have supported the John Wayne name in the past but have indicated they are open to exploring other names.

Policy Framework for Park Naming Park and trail naming is guided by Commission Policy 72-14-1 Naming of Parks, Structures, and Features within State Park Areas and Procedure 72-1 Park Codes, Names and Categories (see Appendix 3 and 4). State Park staff will review potential new names for consistency with this policy and procedure.

Past Public Outreach on Trail Naming Public planning processes involving trail naming occurred when State Parks first began to manage the trail. In particular, two public meetings were held during the original 1985 trail naming process:  October 18, 1984 (original trail naming public meeting)  January 7, 1985 (original trail naming public meeting)

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In 2016 Washington State Parks worked with an advisory committee and the broader public to create a management plan for the trail section extending from the Columbia River east to Malden. Four public meetings were held as part of this process – 3 in eastern Washington and 1 in Western Washington.  March 7, 2016 in Cheney  March 8, 2016 in Ellensburg  May 10, 2016 in Preston  May 11, 2016 in Ritzville

Approximately 300 people attended these meetings. During this public process State Parks requested feedback on trail naming. From these meetings staff received 90 comments related to naming which included 25 discrete name suggestions. These names and comments have been reviewed by staff as part of the trail renaming effort.

Next Steps As stipulated in the naming procedure, State Parks staff, including the Partnership and Planning Manager and the Interpretive Program Manager, will assemble a list of names for Commission consideration. Staff anticipates initiating a public review and comment process in the spring that includes the following components:  A web page dedicated to the trail renaming process, with the opportunity for the public to comment online;  Targeted outreach to stakeholder organizations;  Notification of the renaming process sent to the Iron Horse State Park Trail email/mailing list (1000 contacts);  Outreach via social media including: o Posting on the agency Facebook page (80,000+ followers) o Posting on the agency Twitter account (25,000+ followers)

Following the conclusion of the public comment period staff anticipates bringing this item to the Commission as a requested action in May 2018.

SUPPORTING INFORMATION Appendix 1: Map of Iron Horse State Park Trail Appendix 2: Minutes from 1985 Trail Naming Requested Action Appendix 3: Commission Policy 72-14-1 Naming of Parks, Structures, and Features within State Park Areas Appendix 4: Procedure 72-1 Park Codes, Names and Categories (see Section 3. Park Naming)

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Author(s)/Contact: Randy Kline, Statewide Trail Coordinator Email: [email protected] (360) 902-8632

Reviewer(s): Jessica Logan, SEPA REVIEW: Pursuant to WAC197-11-704 and WAC 352-11-055(2)(c), staff has determined that this Commission agenda item is a report and therefore is not subject to State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review. Christeen Leeper, Fiscal Impact Statement: Report only, no impact at this time. Michael Young, Assistant Attorney General: February 28, 2018 Peter Herzog, Assistant Director:

Approved for Transmittal to Commission

______Donald Hoch, Director

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APPENDIX 1

Iron Horse State Park Trail Columbia River to Idaho Border Section

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APPENDIX 2

Meeting Minutes from 1985 Trail Naming Requested Action

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APPENDIX 3

Commission Policy 72-14-1 Naming of Parks, Structures, and Features within State Park Areas

72-14-1 NAMING OF PARKS, STRUCTURES, AND FEATURES WITHIN STATE PARK AREAS

Commission Policy 72-14-1 supersedes POL 72-78-1 Naming of Parks, POL 72-06-1 Naming Features within State Parks, and POL 72-65-1 Naming of Structures

See Also: RCW 79A.05.030 Powers and duties WAC 352-16-010 Naming and classification of state park areas Cultural Resource Policy 12-98-1 Donor Recognition Policy 37-06-1

1. Policy

The authority to provide an official name for a state park and state park areas within a park rests with the Commission (WAC 352-16-010). In naming of state park sites, Commission priority shall be given to geographic locations, cultural significance or geologic features. State park sites may be named for a living person or family if the site has been donated by the individual or family. Where it is desirable to give recognition to a living person or family for their contribution to the state park system, it is permissible to name for them individual or human-made features within a park. State Parks may not be named for a corporation or commercial entity.

For the purpose of naming constructed features (roads, trails, buildings, etc.), landscapes, or natural features, the Commission delegates this authority to the agency Director; provided that the Commission retains the authority to name anything for a business, a family name, or a person living or deceased. In exercising the delegated authority, the Director should give preference to geographic locations, culturally significant events and places, or geologic features. The Director may also consider names using botanical or biological references. All naming shall be consistent with Cultural Resources Policy (12-98-1) and the Donor Recognition Policy (37-06-1).

2. Definitions When creating or changing a name of a state park area, the following categories will be used in public information and applied in the calculation of the number of distinct sites in the state park system:

State Park: A state park area, generally greater than 10 acres in size, managed to protect and conserve significant scenic, natural and cultural features and to provide public access, facilities, or programs that through recreational, educational, and interpretive experiences connect visitors with those features. 12

Historical State Park: A state park area meeting the definition of a state park, and possessing historical and/or cultural features that are its primary public attractions or purpose. The significance of the historic properties within a Historical State Park is of statewide or national significance.

Marine State Park: An island state park area, meeting the definition of a state park, typically accessible only by a boat or aircraft, with opportunities for recreational access and activities.

State Park Trail: A linear state park area, distinct from other units of the state park system, and designated primarily for non-motorized recreational trail activities (e.g., hiking, cycling, horseback riding, etc.).

State Park Heritage Site: A state park site, possessing structures or assemblage of features, with significant natural, cultural, historical or scenic attributes that are preserved and interpreted for the education and enjoyment of the public. State Park Heritage Sites can be stand-alone properties or designated sites within a State Park. Often, these sites are less than 10 acres in size.

State Park Conservation Area: A state park site defined by statute as a conservation area. A State Park Conservation Area may contain an assemblage of differently categorized state park areas.

State Park Property: A state park area which is held for future development or is otherwise inconsistent in form, features or developments from any of the named state park areas listed above.

Commission action date: March 27, 2014

Agenda item: E-2 Park Naming Policy – Requested Action

Approved for publishing date: ______

______

Director

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APPENDIX 2 PROPOSED COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF STATE PARKS NAMES BY CATEGORY

STATE PARKS 89 Parks 90,354 Acres 65.3% of total land holdings

Current Park Name Acres Proposed Park Name (gray = no change recommended) 174.5 Alta Lake State Park 496.4 Anderson Lake State Park Battle Ground Lake State Park 275.3 Battle Ground Lake State Park 66.3 Bay View State Park 4456 Beacon Rock State Park 93.7 Belfair State Park 664.1 Birch Bay State Park 124.9 Bogachiel State Park 63.7 Bottle Beach State Park 622.7 Bridgeport State Park 489.2 Bridle Trails State Park Brooks Memorial State Park 681 Brooks Memorial State Park 241.5 Camano Island State Park Cape Disappointment State Park 1754 Cape Disappointment State Park 97.2 Conconully State Park 87.4 Curlew Lake State Park 14

Daroga State Park 127.1 458.9 Dash Point State Park Doug's Beach State Park 378.7 Doug's Beach State Park State Park 3941 Deception Pass State Park 734.4 Dosewallips State Park Federation Forest State Park 574.1 Federation Forest State Park 832.2 Fields Spring State Park 644.1 Fort Ebey State Park Flaming Geyser State Park 503.6 Flaming Geyser State Park Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park 6723 Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Wanapum Recreation Area 454 Grayland Beach State Park 537.9 Grayland Beach State Park Griffith-Priday State Park 493.2 Griffith-Priday State Park 452.5 Ike Kinswa State Park 81.9 Illahee State Park 56.2 Jarrell Cove State Park 105.8 Joemma Beach State Park Kanaskat-Palmer State Park 534.7 Kanaskat-Palmer State Park Kitsap Memorial State Park 63.1 Kitsap Memorial State Park 279.9 Kopachuck State Park 147.2 Lake Chelan State Park 697 Lake Easton State Park State Park 532 Lake Sammamish State Park 251.5 Lake Sylvia State Park Lake Wenatchee State Park 490.4 Lake Wenatchee State Park

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Larrabee State Park 2748.1 Leadbetter Point State Park 1698.2 Leadbetter Point State Park Lewis & Clark State Park 626.6 Lewis & Clark State Park Lewis & Clark Trail State Park 36.4 Lewis & Clark Trail State Park Lime Kiln Point State Park 42 Lime Kiln Point State Park 74.5 Lincoln Rock State Park Manchester State Park 127.2 Manchester State Park 81.2 Maryhill State Park Millersylvania State Park 902.8 Millersylvania State Park 5665 Moran State Park Mount Pilchuck State Park 1903 Mount Pilchuck State Park State Park 13203.4 110.5 Nolte State Park Obstruction Pass Property 76 Obstruction Pass State Park 219.9 Ocean City State Park 2338 Olallie State Park Pacific Beach State Park 16.6 Pacific Beach State Park Falls State Park 100.1 State Park Paradise Point State Park 100.8 Paradise Point State Park Pearrygin Lake State Park 1185.2 Pearrygin Lake State Park 236.2 Penrose Point State Park Peshastin Pinnacles State Park 34.4 Peshastin Pinnacles State Park 774.5 Potholes State Park 124.7 Potlatch State Park 131.4 Rainbow Falls State Park

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Rasar State Park 169.2 10884.5 Riverside State Park Rockport State Park 636.4 Rockport State Park 325.9 Saint Edward State Park 136.7 Saltwater State Park 121.2 Scenic Beach State Park 122.2 Schafer State Park 505.2 Seaquest State Park 94 Sequim Bay State Park South Whidbey State Park 380.7 South Whidbey State Park 200 Spencer Spit State Park State Park 1591.5 Squak Mountain State Park 250.5 Squilchuck State Park Steamboat Rock State Park 5060.4 Steamboat Rock State Park Sun Lakes- State Park 3825 Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park 154.4 Tolmie State Park 187.7 Twanoh State Park Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park 232.3 Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park Twin Harbors Beach State Park 223.3 Twin Harbors Beach State Park 1438.4 Wallace Falls State Park Wenatchee Confluence State Park 194.1 Wenatchee Confluence State Park 79 Westhaven State Park Westport Light State Park 236.6 Westport Light State Park Yakima Sportsman State Park 266 Yakima Sportsman State Park

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Historical State Parks 11 Parks 8884 Acres 6.4% of total land holdings

Current Park Name Acres Proposed Park Name 387.5 Cama Beach Historical State Park Columbia Hills State Park 3636 Columbia Hills Historical State Park State Park 1000.4 Fort Casey Historical State Park 623.1 Fort Columbia Historical State Park 1453.5 Fort Flagler Historical State Park State Park 200.8 Fort Simcoe Historical State Park 640 Fort Townsend Historical State Park State Park 433.5 Fort Worden Historical State Park Olmstead Place State Park 220.7 Olmstead Place Historical State Park Peace Arch State Park 18.7 Peace Arch Historical State Park 269.6 Sacajawea Historical State Park

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Marine State Parks 19 Parks 4,019 Acres 2.9% of total land holdings Current Park Name Acres Proposed Park Name Deception Pass State Park 11 Ben Ure Island Marine State Park State Park 1127 Blake Island Marine State Park Blind Island State Park 2.4 Blind Island Marine State Park Burrows Island Property 395.1 Burrows Island Marine State Park Clark Island State Park 50.5 Clark Island Marine State Park Doe Island State Park 10 Doe Island Marine State Park Hope Island (Mason) State Park 131.5 Hope Island (Mason) Marine State Park Deception Pass State Park 181 Hope Island (Skagit) Marine State Park James Island State Park 131.8 James Island Marine State Park Jones Island State Park 193.2 Jones Island Marine State Park State Park 4.8 Matia Island Marine State Park McMicken Island State Park 221.8 McMicken Island Marine State Park State Park 225.7 Patos Island Marine State Park Posey Island State Park 1.1 Posey Island Marine State Park Saddlebag Island State Park 25.5 Saddlebag Island Marine State Park Deception Pass State Park 25 Skagit Island Marine State Park 432.6 Stuart Island Marine State Park State Park 814.4 Sucia Island Marine State Park State Park 34.3 Turn Island Marine State Park 19

State Park Trails

5 Trails

10,389 Acres

7.5% of total land holdings

Current Park Name Acres Proposed Park Name Trail State Park 3879.8 Columbia Plateau State Park Trail Iron Horse Palouse Property 1927.3 Iron Horse State Park Trail Iron Horse State Park 2336.2 (4901 acres) Lake Easton State Park Hyak 7 (includes the John Wayne Pioneer Trail) Lake Easton State Park Cle Elum Depot 17 Lake Easton State Park NT Ecosystem Alliance 17 Lake Easton State Park Palmer 55 Lake Easton State Park Crystal Springs 81 Lake Easton State Park Bullfrog Property 261 Olallie State Park - Bandera Property 199 Property 324.7 Klickitat State Park Trail Spokane River Centennial Trail Property 525.4 Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail Trail State Park 759 Willapa Hills State Park Trail Subtotal of State Parks, Historical State Parks, Marine State Parks and State Park Trails 124 Parks 113,645 Acres 82.2% of total land holdings

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State Park Heritage Sites

16 Sites

55 Acres

0.4% of total land holdings

Current Park Name Acres Proposed Park Name Colbert House 1 Colbert House Heritage Site Crawford State Park 39.6 Crawford State Park Heritage Site Ebey's Landing 46.1 Ebey's Landing Heritage Site Goldendale Observatory State Park 5 Goldendale Observatory State Park Heritage Site Jackson House State Park 1.4 Jackson House State Park Heritage Site Deception Pass State Park 82 Kukutali Preserve State Park Heritage Site Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park 191 Lake Lenore Caves State Park Heritage Site Matilda N. Jackson State Park 5 Matilda N. Jackson State Park Heritage Site Monticello Convention Site State Park 1 Monticello Convention Site State Park Heritage Site Old Ruby 6.9 Old Ruby State Park Heritage Site Ranald McDonald's Grave State Park 1 Ranald McDonald's Grave State Park Heritage Site Rothschild House State Park 0.5 Rothschild House State Park Heritage Site Spokane Plains Battlefield State Park 1.1 Spokane Plains Battlefield State Park Heritage Site Steptoe Battlefield State Park 3 Steptoe Battlefield State Park Heritage Site State Park 168.3 Steptoe Butte State Park Heritage Site Willie Keil's Grave State Park 1 Willie Keil's Grave State Park Heritage Site

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Conservation Areas

2 Conservation Areas

9,545.2 Acres

6.9% of total land holdings

Current Park Name Acres Proposed Park Name Green River Gorge - Black Diamond Property 332.5 Green River Gorge Conservation Area Green River Gorge - Hanging Gardens Property 433.6 (1160* acres) Green River Gorge - Jellum Property 350.8 * = Three state parks within GRG (acres not included) Lower Green River Property 43.1 Seashore Conservation Area

Seashore Conservation Area 8385.2 (8385.2 acres)

Properties 74 Properties 14,522 Acres 10.5% of total land holdings

Current Park Name Acres Proposed Park Name Camp Calvinwood 115.2 Camp Calvinwood State Park Property Camp William T. Wooten State Park 40.1 Camp William T. Wooten State Park Property 22

Cascade Island 39.0 Cascade Island State Park Property Chance A La Mer OBA State Park 3.5 Chance A La Mer OBA State Park Property Clallam Bay Park Community Beach 49.7 Clallam Bay State Park Property Conconully State Park (parcel) 2.5 Conconully Lake State Park Property (boat launch) Cone Island State Park 10.9 Cone Island State Park Property Cranberry OBA State Park 1.6 Cranberry OBA (Ocean Beac Access) Crown Point State Park 12.4 Crown Point State Park Property Crystal Falls 160.6 Crystal Falls State Park Property Deadmans Island State Park 351.2 Cutts Island State Park Property Deception Pass State Park 12.0 Deception Island State Park Property Dugualla State Park 600.5 Dugualla State Park Property Eagle Island State Park 5.1 Eagle Island State Park Property Elbow Lake State Park 318.7 Elbow Lake State Park Property Everett Jetty State Park 160.0 Everett Jetty State Park Property Everett Property 0.7 Everett State Park Property Fisk Property 680.3 Fisk State Park Property Forks of the Sky State Park 1364.0 Forks of the Sky State Park Property Sun Lakes(Grant Co. Sportsmen) 179.0 Grant County Sportsmen Property Sun Lakes (Grant Co. Property) 39.0 Grant County State Park Property Grayland Beach Approach Property 5.7 Grayland Beach OBA H J Carroll Site 1.4 H J Carroll State Park Property Haley Property 215.9 Haley State Park Property 23

Fudge Point 55.0 Harstine Island Property 470.8 Harstine Island State Park Property Scott Property 100.0 Helen McCabe State Park 64.4 Helen McCabe State Park Property Hoko River / Cowan Ranch 918.3 Hoko River State Park Property Ice Caves State Park 159.4 Ice Caves State Park Property Iceberg Island State Park 2.9 Iceberg Island State Park Property Joseph Whidbey State Park 205.9 Joseph Whidbey State Park Property Kinney Point 67.4 Kinney Point State Park Property Lake Isabella 188.2 Lake Isabella State Park Property Lake Newport State Park 158.0 Lake Newport State Park Property Lilliwaup Tidelands 20.7 Lilliwaup Tidelands State Park Property Loomis Lake State Park 385.0 Loomis Lake State Park Property Loomis Lake State Park 15.0 Loomis Lake State Park Property Lopez Island Tidelands 37.9 Lopez Island State Park Property Mercer Slough 89.7 Mercer Slough State Park Property Miller Peninsula 2863.2 Miller Peninsula State Park Property Moclips 5.2 Moclips State Park Property Mud Bay Tidelands 73.4 Mud Bay State Park Property Mystery Bay 18.2 Property Nisqually State Park 1287.3 Nisqually State Park North Jetty 1.6 North Jetty State Park Property 24

O'Brien-Riggs State Park 93.8 O'Brien-Riggs State Park Property Ocean City OBA State Park 13.2 Ocean City OBA State Park Olga 1.3 Olga State Park Property Oyhut OBA State Park 1.9 Oyhut OBA State Park 10.3 Pacific Pines State Park Packwood 178.8 Packwood State Park Property Pleasant Harbor State Park 1.2 Pleasant Harbor State Park Property Point of Arches State Park 20.8 Point of Arches State Park Property Possession Point 54.1 Possession Point State Park Property Reed Island State Park 426.8 Reed Island State Park Property Right Smart Cove 2.1 Right Smart Cove State Park Property Brooks Memorial State Park (separate parcel) 168.0 Satus Pass State Park Property Point Hannon Property 7.7 Shine Tidelands Property 45.7 Shine Tidelands State Park Property Wolfe Property 197.1 Skating Lake 335.5 Skating Lake State Park Property Skull Island State Park 3.2 Skull Island State Park Property Sol Duc 443.3 Sol Duc State Park Property Spring Creek Hatchery State Park 9.6 Spring Creek Hatchery State Park Property Square Lake Property 231.7 Square Lake State Park Property Squaxin Island 28.4 Squaxin Island State Park Property Steilacoom Lake Tidelands 2.0 Steilacoom Lake State Park Property 25

Deception Pass State Park 4.0 Strawberry Island State Park Property 8.2 Stretch Point State Park Property Tilton River 102.0 Tilton River State Park Property Toandos Peninsula Tidelands 62.5 Toandos Peninsula State Park Property 29.9 Triton Cove State Park Property Victim Island State Park 3.6 Victim Island State Park Property WA State Parks Eastern Region HQ 0.9 WA State Parks Eastern Region HQ WA State Parks Headquarters 2.5 WA State Parks Headquarters WA State Parks Northwest Region HQ 0.9 WA State Parks Northwest Region HQ Washougal River 474.6 Washougal River State Park Property

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APPENDIX 4

Procedure 72-1 Park Codes, Names and Categories (see Section 3. Park Naming)

Effective Date:______Approved By:______

Supersedes: PRO. # 72-1 (dated 3-20-80) Reference(s): RCW 79A.05.030 Powers and duties; WAC 352-16-010 Naming and Classification of State Park Areas; Cultural Resource Policy 12-98-1; Donor Recognition Policy 37-06-1; and 72-14-1 Naming of Parks, Structures, and Features within State Park Areas and Commission Policy - Park Naming agenda item, March 27, 2014.

PRO 72-1 Park Codes, Names and Categories

Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to ensure that all state parks areas managed and/or owned are subject to administrative review for determining whether to assign a park code for tracking park attendance and other park history and whether to assign a program index code for tracking operating costs and revenue from program/park business transactions. The procedure also ensures that naming sites within parks and assigning sites to park categories are done in alignment with Commission Policies 72-14-1, 12-98-1, 37-06-1; RCW 79A.05.030; and WAC 352-16-010.

Definitions

1. Land Classification: A land use and development designation, officially adopted by the Commission, identifying specific types of state park areas as defined in WAC 352-16-020.

2. Park Categories: The following seven official categories of state park areas are to be used in public information materials when describing the State Park system: State Park, Historical State Park, Marine State Park, State Park Trail, State Park

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Heritage Site, State Park Conservation Area and State Park Property. The characteristics of each category are defined in Commission Policy 72-14-1.

3. Park Code: A five-digit permanent number assigned to a state park area.

4. Program Index Code: A code assigned to divisions, programs within divisions and/or parks to track costs and/or revenue for specific programs and park business transactions.

5. State Park Areas: All areas dedicated for public park purposes, excluding separately located administrative areas, and under the ownership and/or management of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (WAC 352-16-010).

Procedure

1. Assigning a Park Code

A Park Code is determined by a state park area’s association with either an established long-term boundary, proximity to another park, proximity to a park in-holding, or established as a distinct park. A park code is determined and assigned after the state park area is acquired or otherwise newly established under State Parks management.

1.1 Lands and Acquisition staff collaborate with the Region Manager to determine the new state park area’s association with an established state park area. The Region Manager and the Lands and Acquisition staff determine whether a park code is already in use. If none exists, a new park code is established by the Region Manager.

1.2 Region Manager informs the Park Manager and Information Technology (IT) staff of the new park code.

1.3 Lands and Acquisition staff notify the Geographic Information System (GIS) staff of the new park code.

1.4 The master park code database is maintained by IT staff.

2. Assigning a Program Index Code (aka Cost Code)

A program index code (aka cost code) is assigned to a specific park property or to a program management area when tracking costs or revenue at that level of detail is desired. 28

2.1 If a Region Manager or Program Manager wishes to track financial data associated with a property and/or program, s/he contacts budget staff to verify whether a program index code already exists. If a new code is needed, the Budget section works with the Financial Services section to establish a new program index code.

2.2 Financial Services maintains all active program index codes on the agency’s administrative shared data storage site (N:Drive - Operating Chart of Accounts).

3. Park Naming

A proposal to change an existing park name or to establish a new park name requires Commission approval (Policy 72-14-1; WAC 352-16-010).

The Partnership and Planning Manager, in consultation with the Interpretive Manager, is responsible for researching potential park names, and providing recommendations to the Assistant Director for Parks Development and Director, prior to submittal for Commission approval. The Partnership and Planning Manager:

3.1 Researches background data on state park area.

3.2 Determines whether the Commission has previously named the state park area.

3.3 Obtains acquisition data, including from whom property was acquired, date of acquisition, cost of acquisition, method of acquisition, deed restrictions or conditions, site acreage and waterfront footage (if applicable).

3.4 Consults with Interpretive Program Manager to determine whether geographic location, geology, archaeology, or history of site is significant in naming the state park area. As part of the research process to identify a suitable name, the Interpretive Program Manager and Partnership and Planning Manager or designee must contact appropriate federal, tribal, state, and local officials; local historical groups/societies; known interested individuals and organizations; Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation; State Advisory Committee on Geographic Names (Department of Natural Resources); and any other appropriate State Parks staff or other individuals.

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3.5 Evaluates suggested name and solicit and gather public input, in consideration of Commission policies 12-98-1, Cultural Resources Management and 74-14-1, Naming of Parks, Structures and Features within park areas.

3.6 Prepares a draft agenda item for the Commission and submits it to the Assistant Director for Parks Development for recommendation to the Director. The Director, in turn, reviews and determines whether to submit the agenda item to the Commission for its consideration and adoption.

4. Naming State Park Areas within a Park

The Commission has delegated to the Director (Commission Policy 72-14-1) the authority to approve naming of constructed features (roads, trails, buildings, etc.), landscapes, natural features or other state park areas within a park.

Naming a state park area within a park can be performed before, during, or following a Classification and Management Plan (CAMP) process. Staff proposing to create or modify a name must work closely with the Partnership and Planning Manager or designee to review the proposed name for consistency with Commission naming policy, including preference to geographic locations, culturally significant events and places, or special geologic features.

4.1 Partnership and Planning Manager or designee performs research to determine the characteristics of the state park area.

4.2 Partnership and Planning Manager or designee prepares a recommendation to the Assistant Director for Parks Development for review and approval for submittal to the Director.

5. Determining or Assigning Park Categories

The official categories defined in Commission Policy 72-14-1 must be used in public information materials and applied in the calculation of the number of distinct properties per category in the State Park system.

There are certain actions that may require updating park categories:

1. Capital project improvements 2. Land acquisitions 3. Surplus property

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4. Transfer of property

Staff overseeing any of the above actions will notify the Partnership and Planning Manager or designee to determine whether the action should result in an initial establishment or change in a park category. If the Partnership and Planning Manager or designee concludes that a change may be appropriate, the following process is followed:

5.1 The Partnership and Planning Manager or designee will assess the characteristics of the state park area when developing a park category recommendation to the agency Director, through the Assistant Director for Parks Development. The manager will conduct research to determine the appropriate category for the state park area based on land characteristics and public use emphasis, using definitions in Policy 72-14-1, to develop a recommendation.

5.2 The Partnership and Planning Manager or designee prepares a memorandum that recommends a category for the state park area. The recommendation to the Assistant Director for Parks Development should include:

A. Purpose of Requested Action B. Background (significant features of the site/land, principal use by the public) C. Results of consultation with stakeholders, as appropriate D. Recommendation for categorization.

5.3 The Partnership and Planning Manager or designee submits the memorandum to the Assistant Director for Parks Development for review, input and approval.

5.4 The Assistant Director for Parks Development submits the approved memorandum to the agency Director for approval.

5.5 The agency Director informs the Executive Leadership Team of any change in park category.

5.6 Executive Leadership Team members identify and complete tasks based on the category change, including, but not limited to updates to the agency internet and intranet, park publications, agency databases and other documents of public record.

5.7 The Assistant Director for Parks Development or designee will maintain the agency’s official park category list and post it on the agency’s shared drive and public website.

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