Public invited to help plan for the future of recreation in Palouse Falls, Lyons Ferry and Lewis and Clark Trail state parks
OLYMPIA – March 22, 2017 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is beginning a public process that will lead to long-term recreation and land-use plans for three Southeast Washington parks: Palouse Falls in Franklin and Whitman counties, Lyons Ferry in Franklin county and Lewis and Clark Trail in Columbia county
The public is invited to attend the first of several planning meetings from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, at the Columbia County Fairgrounds Youth Building, 102 Fairgrounds Lane, Dayton (Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/LzQ9ZvAqjxA2).
This first workshop will include a presentation from Parks’ staff describing the planning process and providing background information on the three parks. Following the presentation, attendees will have an opportunity to discuss the project with state park staff and provide comment.
State Parks is beginning this planning process partly as a result of increased attendance and safety concerns at Palouse Falls State Park, located in Parks’ Blue Mountain Area. Lyons Ferry State Park was re-opened in May 2015 as a state park in partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers. Just 7 miles down the road, Lyons Ferry offers additional recreational opportunities and potential connections to Palouse Falls. Lewis and Clark Trail State Park, 35 miles south of Lyons Ferry also is located in the Blue Mountain Area.
More detailed information about the planning project is available at bit.ly/PalousePlan. The public may also provide comment or ask questions about the planning effort by contacting Randy Kline, Parks Planner, at (360) 902-8632 or randy.kline@parks.wa.gov.
State Parks planning
Planning for each of these parks will involve three main objectives:
- Classify park lands to determine the appropriate level of recreational use.
- Delineate a long-term park boundary to identify lands with shared management objectives or that may be appropriate for transfer.
- Prepare a park management plan for each park.
Washington State Parks has completed land-use plans for almost 100 parks around the state through its Classification and Management Plan (CAMP) process. The CAMP process will address trails and recreational use, day-use opportunities, natural and cultural resources, and other topics of interest to the community.
About Palouse Falls State Park
Palouse Falls State Park is a 105-acre camping park with a unique geology and history. Located on the Palouse River in Franklin and Whitman counties, the park gives visitors a dramatic view of the 198-foot waterfall. In 2014, Palouse Falls was named the official waterfall of Washington state at the suggestion of third, fourth and fifth grade students in the Washtucna School District. For more information, visit: http://parks.state.wa.us/559/Palouse-Falls
About Lyons Ferry State Park
Lyons Ferry is a 168-acre day-use park located at the confluence of the Palouse and Snake rivers in Franklin county. The site once was home to early groups of the Palus Indians. The park has more than 5,200 feet of shoreline and offers a variety of activities, including boating, fishing, hiking, picnicking and swimming. Lyons Ferry was named for the ferry crossing that operated across the Snake River from the mid-1860s until the late-1960s, when it was replaced by the Lyons Ferry Bridge, also known as the Snake River Bridge. For more information, visit: http://parks.state.wa.us/915/Lyons-Ferry
About Lewis and Clark Trail State Park
Lewis and Clark Trail State Park is a 37-acre camping park with 1,333-feet of freshwater shoreline on the Touchet River, located just outside of Dayton in Columbia county. The park is a rare treasure of old-growth forest and river surrounded by arid grassland. Like an oasis in the middle of the desert, this lovely wooded park on the Touchet River refreshes visitors with its unusual vegetation and geology. For more information, visit: http://parks.state.wa.us/539/Lewis-Clark-Trail
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About Washington State Parks
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages more than 100 state parks and properties totaling approximately 120,000 acres. The Commission provides a variety of recreation opportunities for citizens and provides stewardship protection for a diverse array of natural, cultural and historic resources. State Parks’ statewide programs include long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation.
Follow Washington State Parks:
Share your favorite state park adventure on the State Parks’ blog site at http://adventureawaits.com/
Support state parks by purchasing your annual Discover Pass today, and enjoy a whole year of outdoor fun on Washington’s beautiful state-managed recreation lands. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
1111 Israel Road S.W.
P.O. Box 42650
Olympia, WA 98504-2650
Washington Telecommunications Relay Service: (800) 833-6388