QUILCENE — Formal “adoption” proceedings for the Quilcene Campground and Day Use Park are complete.
A cadre of volunteers has made a commitment to maintain the park through the summer, and the county has approved the action.
A memo of understanding between the county and the volunteers, headed by Quilcene resident Clayton White — Adopt-A-Park lead volunteer for the park — was signed at Monday’s Jefferson County commissioners’ meeting.
“This is a great location,” said Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Director Matt Tyler.
“It is close to town, but if you go into the woods, it feels like you are in the middle of nowhere.”
Tyler predicted that the county park, which offers free admission during the day but requires a fee for overnight camping, will increase in popularity when admission fees for state parks go into effect.
Visitors to state parks, state Department of Natural Resources and state Department of Fish & Wildlife recreation areas will be charged a $30 annual fee, or pay $10 per visit, beginning July 1.
“County parks are usually smaller and have fewer amenities than state parks,” Tyler said.
“But they are more accessible than a lot of state parks and still provide an affordable alternative for family recreation.”
The 12-acre Quilcene Campground has 12 campsites. The fee is $12 for each overnight stay.
It is in downtown Quilcene adjacent to the community center, and while it lacks services, it is close to stores, restaurants and emergency services.
Running the park isn’t particularly expensive; Tyler said that to meet expenses for the year, the county must receive the fees for 42 camping stays.
With volunteers at work, the only county expense now is maintaining the chemical toilet.
The park was closed for a year before volunteers re-opened the campground and day-use area in the spring through the county’s Adopt-A-Park program.
White, a semi-retired contractor who has lived in Quilcene for 11 years, has passed a background check and taken safety training, which satisfies state law.
He is recruiting volunteers for the summer, though he is the only one who is allowed to use power tools.
“There was a guy who wanted to help clean out some of the debris with his own chain saw, and I had to tell him, ‘No, thanks,’” White said.
“If someone wants to help pull weeds, they will need to do it by hand or use a string-driven weed eater.”
The park is currently open for camping.
Tyler said a variety of volunteer skills are needed, from basic landscaping to design.
Anyone wishing to volunteer can email Tyler at mtyler@countyrec.com or phone 360-385-3129.
________
Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
