PORT TOWNSEND — The state parks and recreation director gladly accepted a city of Port Townsend check for $6,373 on Monday to help keep parking free at Fort Worden State Park.
“Bless you for helping us get past the past two years and especially this year,” Rex Derr said after accepting the city dollars from Port Townsend City Councilman Kees Kolff and Jean Dunbar, Fort Worden Advisory Committee chairwoman.
The presentation was made before about 40 attending Monday’s Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Fort Worden Commons.
Recognizing Fort Worden as an “economic engine” for the community, Derr said: “The amount and variety and diversity of activities here is different than any other park in the system.”
The city of Port Townsend this year paid state parks $25,000, contributing to a $60,000 free-parking fund.
City leaders view the park as a part of Port Townsend that provides more than 170 jobs and supports nonprofit organizations such as Centrum Foundation and the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, part of the city’s overall economic well-being.
