FORKS — West End leaders say they are worried about tourism when Olympic National Park closes one visitor center and curtails hours at another.
Park officials announced Wednesday that the Forks Park and Forest Visitor Information Station will close April 1 through the summer to provide staffing for the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center.
Despite the move, Hoh visitor center operations will be cut to five days a week — Thursdays through Mondays — beginning April 4.
Previously, the center was open daily during the tourist season.
“I am very concerned about the closure, and even more so about the looming potential to have interpretive programs severely cut this year,” said Diane Schostak, Forks Chamber of Commerce executive director.
“These talks and walks are very valuable to the visitor, making a visit to Olympic a wondrous place to visit instead of another scenic spot,” she told Chamber of Commerce members in an e-mail Wednesday.
The cutbacks were announced earlier Wednesday with several other changes, including the April closure of Hurricane Ridge Road.
Park Superintendent Bill Laitner said officials could only keep one visitor center open, and the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center was the logical choice.
More than 100,000 people visit the Hoh center, compared with substantially fewer visits at the Forks visitor station.
