State Park Information Received. We received some more information regarding the mothballing of some of our state parks and a letter that was sent to the state regarding Illahee State Park. We had previously provided links to local articles in the Kitsap Sun, the Bremerton Patriot, and the CK Reporter regarding Illahee State Park being on the mothball list.
Seattle Times Article. The first is an article in the Seattle Times entitled "Would you pay $5 to keep state parks open?" It talks about one of the proposals on the table to help fund the parks so they won't be mothballed.
Lawmakers eye $5 car-tab fee to keep state parks open
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission has identified more than 47 state parks that could be closed temporarily or, in some cases, transferred to cities, counties or tribes to maintain.
Illahee Resident Letter. The second is a very well written letter by the Barchecks that is the best we've seen.
Subject: Mothballing of Illahee State Park
We read with great concern your proposal to close Illahee State Park and others. Our neighborhood borders the park and we and many of our neighbors use the park regularly year round. We see the dock being used by the taxpayers of the Bremerton/Silverdale area for fishing, crabbing and diving. The oyster and clam beds are used for shellfish harvesting in season. Many families enjoy the picnic areas and playground facilities. Illahee State Park has a limited number of camping spots so the potential for revenue collection is also limited but that doesn't mean the park is not getting used. Your ill fated attempt at collecting parking fees for park entry of a few years ago showed that the taxpayers expect their parks to be funded as a part of the taxes they pay. Most think that there is enough money in the state budget to get the job done even in an economic downturn. Illahee State Park is unique because it is close to an urban area so it is very convenient for a large number of people that do not have access to a natural area where they live. Closing other more remote parks would have less of an impact on the taxpaying public.
Closing the park will make it susceptible to crime and vandalism which could spill over into our neighborhood which is just across the street from the park. It will become a magnet for the homeless to set up camp since it is within waking distance to food stores and other services. Closure will make it less desirable and/or unsafe for regular use by the people in our neighborhood even if they are allowed walking entry. All of this will depress property values and tax revenue from our neighborhood.
Please consider these issues in determining whether you turn Illahee State Park from an asset into a liability for the taxpayers of Kitsap county and Washington state.
Sincerely.
Andy and Sandi Barcheck
Thank You! Thank you for sending in the information so we can pass it on.
Jim Aho
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