EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the last of a two-part series about the two state parks on the North Olympic Peninsula that are in danger of losing state funding. Today’s story is about Bogachiel State Park near Forks. Old Fort Townsend State Park near Port Townsend was the topic of Sunday’s story. For more photos of Bogachiel, see Page C1.
FORKS — Chon Clayton strolled the nature trail at Bogachiel State Park with a sense of serenity that matched his surroundings.
The 15-year park manager knows the future of the 119-acre camping hub near Forks is uncertain, so he isn’t wasting his time mulling over something that he can’t control.
“You’ll drive yourself nuts,” Clayton said on Friday.
Bogachiel is one of two state parks in the North Olympic Peninsula, one of 13 of the state’s 122 parks, that the state Parks and Recreation Commission has identified for possible closure or transfer of ownership.
The 367-acre Old Fort Townsend State Park near Port Townsend is the other Peninsula park in danger.
The state Legislature is considering the possible cuts during the present session, which began Jan. 12
Meeting on Feb. 18
Bogachiel State Park officials, Forks officials and concerned citizens will meet in Forks on Feb. 18 to hash out a contingency plan.
Options include turning the park over to the city, county or concessionary operator or to a combination of owners.
Two meetings are scheduled that day.
The first will be at 1 p.m. at the Forks City Hall at 500 E. Division St., Mayor Nedra Reed said.
Reed wants to keep the park available under public ownership.
“Once we get all of the stakeholders in the same room, we can start sharing ideas,” Reed said.
“It’s our hope that the park will remain open. It’s very important to tourism for us.”
The second meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. at the West End branch of Peninsula College at 71 S. Forks Ave., in Forks, Clayton said.
“It’s a pretty small facility, but it’s the only state park facility for Clallam County and Jefferson County on the West End,” Clayton said.
“Folks use this park as a base camp. It’s centrally located to go out to the rainforest, out to Neah Bay or out to Kalaloch.”
The Bogachiel river, which forms the western boundary of the densely forested park, has long been associated with steelhead fishing, Clayton said.
If state funding is cut, Clallam County Commissioner Mike Doherty said he favors the option of making the park available to a concessionary owner with the possibility of a five-year renewal. He said he is open to discussion.
“We have a responsibility to be prepared with a contingency plan,” said Doherty, whose district includes the West End of Clallam County.
Doherty also cited the possibility of operating the park on a seasonal basis.
The proposed cuts were spurred by Gov. Chris Gregoire’s budget proposal issued in December, which carved more than $3 billion from funds affecting not only parks, but also education, social services, prisons, health programs and perhaps a second ferry for the Port Townsend-Keystone route.
Her cuts were aimed at slicing a projected revenue shortfall of nearly $6 billion. Estimates of that shortfall have grown since.
“Every state in the country is facing the same thing with their budget,” Clayton said.
“Parks, unfortunately, are one of the areas they look to for cuts.”
Legislators not optimistic
The latest news from Olympia isn’t good for park supporters.
Rep. Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim, said Bogachiel and Old Fort Townsend state parks probably will be cut from the 2009-2011 budget.
He said it would “be a win” if only those two state parks close in the 24th District, which includes Clallam, Jefferson and a portion of Grays Harbor counties.
According to Van De Wege, the state parks issue has had limited consideration so far in this legislative session.
Rep. Lynn Kessler, House majority leader, has also said that it is unlikely that state funding for Bogachiel will be saved.
The 78-year-old park was operated by the Forks Chamber of Commerce and the Bogachiel Commercial Club in the 1950s and ’60s. Washington State Parks began staffing Bogachiel in 1961.
Bogachiel is special, Reed said, because of its setting. It lies on the edge of the rainforest, about 6 miles south of Forks.
“It’s quiet,” Reed said.
“It’s unique in its own way. It’s as natural a park as you’re going to find. . . . It’s just a peaceful place. “
Besides the tourism revenue that Bogachiel State Park generates, local families frequent the park as well, Reed said.
“There are lots of ideas out there about how we can deal with it,” Reed said.
“I believe it’s our responsibility to get all the stakeholders together.”
Besides Bogachiel and Old Fort Townsend, the other state parks in danger of closing are Brooks Memorial, Fay Bainbridge, Fort Okanogan, Fort Ward, Lake Sylvia, Joemma Beach, Kopachuck, Osoyoos Lake, Schafer, Tolmie and Wenberg.
If the state cuts funding, Clayton said he would likely transfer to another state park in Western Washington.
He just hopes it won’t come down to that.
“I would hate to have to move on.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
