The Discover Pass, created to help generate dollars at the start of the recession, is a significant source of revenue for agency operations. State Parks and partners—the departments of Fish and Wildlife and Natural Resources—have worked together to improve the pass and market it, with successful results. In Fiscal Year 2016, Discover Pass sales earned more than $18 million for State Parks alone. The Pass is one of the lowest-priced, highest-earning state park access passes in the country.
Washington State Parks and Recreation remains solid on its position that the park system needs broad public funding support as part of its financing, to be healthy and stable into the future. The park system benefits everyone by raising the quality of life and contributing to local and statewide economic health.