Wenberg State Park’s shaded picnic spots and swimming beach on Lake Goodwin shouldn’t change much this summer, but some of the park rules probably will.
The Snohomish County Council took decisive action Wednesday to take over the park from the state. That puts the park on course to change hands in July, if negotiations go as expected. After that, park patrons should prepare to pay a $5 per-vehicle gate fee and to leave coolers of alcohol at home.
The looming changes, already in place at other county parks, didn’t sit well with two 23-year-old friends soaking up a rare sunny afternoon on the lakefront with a few Bud Lights.
“I think that’s B.S. — I’ve been coming here for years,” said college student Christina Johnson, with Daisy Mae, her Maltese, at her side. “I come here a few times a week. That can get pretty expensive.”
Tasha Williams, accompanied by Coby, her pug-beagle mix, shared the lament. “Right in time for summer. That’s such bad timing.”
Washington state parks are grappling with a budget gap of about $10 million over the next two years. To save money, the parks system has offered to transfer 13 properties, including Wenberg, to local governments.
Recently, the County Executive’s Office concluded that the county should accept the state’s offer, which would cost the county nothing up-front. The three members of the County Council who were present for a vote on Wednesday agreed unanimously, passing the measure with no discussion.
The 46-acre park on the lake’s eastern shore has a boat launch, a small beach for swimming and camping sites. It attracted 417,916 day visitors last year plus 24,000 campers.
The executive’s office estimated it would cost $178,417 to run the park in 2010 and that it could make a little more than that through fees and other revenue. The estimate assumes that the county could run the park more efficiently than the state and get more money in return.
If negotiations go as expected, Wenberg would complement an existing property on the lake’s north shore, Lake Goodwin Community Park, as well as nearby Kayak Point Park.
The county will honor camping reservations made this year with the state, county parks director Tom Teigen said. They’re still debating whether to change the current $7 boat-launch fee. County campsite fees, which range from $20 to $28 at other parks, are similar to the ones the state charges.
“We hope it’s fairly seamless,” Teigen said.
At least one visitor at Wenberg on Wednesday said he wouldn’t mind a gate fee or an alcohol ban.
“If it helps keep it open, it’s a small price to pay,” said Aron Thornton, 24, of Stanwood. “Five dollars isn’t too much and the no-alcohol (rule) isn’t a big deal to me. It would help it be a better family environment.”
Williams, one of the friends on the lakefront, said when the state charged for parking a few years ago, people would leave their cars several blocks away and walk. She said rangers roam the area to check drinkers’ IDs and that she’s never witnessed any alcohol-related problems at the park.
Earlier this year, the state had considered mothballing 33 state parks, including Wallace Falls near Gold Bar. That was in addition to the proposed transfers. Now, the state says that won’t be necessary — at least not this year.
State lawmakers gave the parks budget extra breathing room last month when they changed the donation system on car registrations. Starting Sept. 1, the Department of Licensing can collect $5 for state parks with every registration payment.
Vehicle owners have to check a box to opt out of the contribution. The budget assumes the new system will generate more than $25 million, enough to prevent any closures.
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465, nhaglund@heraldnet.com.
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