PORT ANGELES — The state has no plans to close any of its 142 parks despite disappointing sales of its Discover Pass.
The $30 annual pass, implemented last June to offset funding cuts to parks and other public lands, had raised $8.5 million through December — about 58 percent less than projected.
Instead of closing parks, the state Parks and Recreation Commission is focused on making structural changes to fill in an $11 million shortfall, agency spokeswoman Virginia Painter said.
“If your only revenue and operating money is based on selling a pass to obtain a service, you have to keep that service in place,” Painter said.
By Feb. 16, the commission will have replaced three regional director positions and an additional six district managers with six new district management positions, she said.
One of those is Allison Alderman, regional operations manager in State Parks’ Northwest Region Office, who at mid-month will replace Kate Burke as manager of Fort Worden State Park and other East Jefferson County parks.
Alderman is assuming the position based on her seniority over Burke, who will be laid off.
Additionally, 66 full-time rangers will become seasonal employees statewide.
“Our staff is stretched pretty thin,” Painter said.
“We are doing our best with what we have got to get through this.”
The commission also plans to spend more on marketing the pass to raise revenue.
Painter said there will be fewer rangers at parks outside of summer, but users shouldn’t notice much of a difference otherwise.
But despite the changes, dark clouds remain on the horizon.
By mid-2013, the last bit of state funding is expected to dry up, meaning all parks funding may have to come through the pass and other fees.
“We’re looking at everywhere we can to make revenue,” Painter said, adding that sponsorships could be considered.
“In reality, we’re moving to a different kind of agency.”
The annual Discover Pass can be purchased for $30 when renewing a driver’s license, at State Parks headquarters and region offices, at State Parks when staff are available, for $35 from a private vendor, by phoning 866-320-9933 or by visiting http://tinyurl.com/6phkbch.
Day passes can be purchased for $10.
________
Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
