Camano Island State Park turns 60

Camano Island State Park entrance sign that reads, "A community initiated and supported park," attests to the 60-year history of volunteerism at the park. Camano Island State Park Manager Tom Riggs is proud to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the park this week.

"It is the park that was built in a day," said Riggs.

"That makes it a very special and unique place."

While there were no specific festivities planned to mark the July 27 anniversary, Riggs, who has been park ranger for five years, encourages everyone to come out and enjoy one of the state's jewels.

"A great way to acknowledge the event is to just come on out here," he said.

"That's the best way to support the park and the anniversary."

On a Wednesday in 1949, a caravan of cars and buses transported 900 "public spirited workers" and their tools to the site, for "Camano Island Park Day," an event sponsored by the South Camano Grange, he said.

"In one of the most magnificent volunteer efforts seen in Puget Sound country, the park's original 93 acres were transformed into a new park complete with trails, roads, campsites, picnic spots, parking areas, a restroom and a well," he said.

Despite Washington State Parks Commission sign regulations and uniformity expectations, the commission approved additional signage on the Camano Island State Park entrance sign that reads, "A community initiated and supported park."

"Area staff takes that support seriously, and are also actively involved in the community," he said.

A number of park workers spend their off-hours as Beach Watchers and Waste Wise volunteers.

"It's incredible that the volunteer commitment is still going on," said Riggs.

Riggs credits volunteers with more than 90 percent of trail maintenance and hosting activities like second grade education days.

This year, during the twoday event, Friends of Camano Island Parks (FOCIP) and Beach Watcher volunteers, as well as park staff, introduced local second graders to the forest and beach environments, and taught them how to take care of their park, he said.

Other volunteer activities include Tuesday work parties put on by FOCIP, guest speakers for the Saturday evening amphitheater programs, and the camp host program.

Riggs has seen major changes to the park during his tenure.

Recent changes are highlighted by the boat launch renovation, including two 100-foot long floating docks and a new two-lane launch, with an Americans with Disabilities Act accessible toilet in the launch area.

A less popular change occured when state parks instituted a day-use parking fee in an attempt to help cover more of the costs of operating parks.

"Pay stations were installed, and much staff time was spent counting money," he said. "Due to the fee being seriously unpopular with the public, also with park staff, it was eventually repealed."

The fee boxes were turned into donation boxes, said Riggs.

Other, more subtle changes have taken place in the past 10 years, said Riggs.

"The group camping area was renovated to accommodate larger groups, and the old pit toilets were replaced with a nice new restroom facility complete with hot showers," he said.

The Lowell Point kitchen shelter in the picnic area was extensively remodeled from an open air structure to a fully-enclosed, rentable yearround facility.

The most significant operational change has been the opening of Cama Beach State Park, and the combination of the two parks into one management area, said Riggs.

The synergy between the two parks allows for more cost-effective operations," he said. Despite the increased workload of making all these changes, Riggs appreciates the improvements to the facilities, and the new and improved recreational opportunities those changes provide.

He is also looking forward to renovation of the campground restrooms, and replacing several roofs on park buildings.

"With the upcoming centennial of the Washington State Parks system in 2013, facilities across the state are being fixed up, getting the system ready to provide another 100 years of service," said Riggs.

Reporter Rick Wood: 629- 8066 ext. 104 or rwood@scnews. com.