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 Admiralty Head opens in mid-April
with new exhibits
The Admiralty Head Lighthouse at Fort Casey Historical State Park will open later than usual this year with an exciting update to its exhibits. New, more easily readable interpretive panels are being installed, and the lighthouse will reopen in mid-April. Visitors will find an improved experience by which to learn the history of lighthouses and new ways to interact with the two lenses on display.
A few steadfast Fort Casey partners helped make this happen. The Lighthouse Environmental Program group of volunteer docents contributed $50,000 to the project, using proceeds from the gift shop they run at Fort Casey, and Keepers of Admiralty Head Lighthouse played a big role.
In addition to the stunning lighthouse, Fort Casey on Whidbey Island offers access to an intact early 20th Century coastal military fort with impressive batteries, historic disappearing guns, a parade lawn and great camping by the beach.
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Travel planning tips: events and alerts |
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 Spring events bloom at Parks
In springtime the sun makes more frequent appearances, the flowers begin to pop, and you'll find more events at state parks.
Do you live near the beach and love birds? Get trained as an observer and sign up to survey on WA beaches once a month! On March 24 at 8 a.m., the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Training Team (COASST) will teach you to be a seabird surveyor. Register now!
Make a difference on Earth Weekend by joining the Washington Coast Cleanup April 20, 9 a.m. to noon! Check the Washington CoastSavers website and stay tuned for locations and registration. Bring family and friends to remove marine debris from our shores.
Also on Earth Day, the Washington State Parks Foundation brings you the Happy Little 5K "Run for the Trees"?from April 22 to Arbor Day, April 26. Run, walk or roll a 5K to raise funds for tree plantings at WA State Parks. You can do your kilometers anywhere during that timeframe, including at a WA state park. Your registration fee gets you a t-shirt, bib and medal. Sign up by April 1 to get your swag in time. Deadline is April 15.
Looking farther out, the Foundation invites you to attend a Mariners game at T-Mobile Park on Friday, May 10. A new Foundation fundraiser with the Mariners offers tickets through this special nonprofit page ($39 Main Level, $22 View Level). Five dollars per ticket goes to the Foundation to support projects for WA state parks.
Check out St. Patrick?s Day events at Lake Sammamish and Spokane River Centennial Trail?and use our Calendar of Events for updates and trip ideas!
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Check alerts when planning park trips?
As we strive to keep our parks updated, safe and friendly, sometimes we need to close areas or parks for construction. While it?s a temporary inconvenience, doing this work is an important part of stewardship and will help everyone enjoy these lands for generations to come.
A couple notable closures this year:
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Lake Sylvia State Park will close June 10 to Sept. 30 to replace a culvert beneath the entrance road with a new bridge and road. We encourage you to check out neighboring Schafer State Park for camping and day use.
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Cape Disappointment camping and much of the park will close from Sept. 2024 to spring 2025 for entrance, office, road and trail construction and wetland restoration. North Head Lighthouse, Beard?s Hollow, Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and all of neighboring Fort Columbia will be open. The lightkeepers? residences are also still open for lodging.
Other parks are also experiencing closures, partial closures or impacts from work such as road construction and buoy replacements. Please check park alerts for updates before you head out.
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Park aide recruitment: a summer job or a new career?
If you take a job as a WA State Parks park aide, you may have a memorable season working outdoors, or you may find a whole new career path.
Our South Sound Area Manager, Olyvia Buday changed majors after volunteering at a state park for a summer. After college she took a park aide job and has since worked her way up to management. Read her story here.
Pro golfer Rex Schultz retired early but took a winter park aide job at Mount Spokane. He has since been promoted twice, most recently to Inland Northwest/Blue Mountain Area community engagement coordinator. Read his story here.
If these stories inspire you, consider becoming a park aide and apply ASAP. Most positions start in March or April.
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Shop the Washington State Parks online store and show your love for Parks. Check out our newest merchandise just in time for Spring and let it put you in the mood for 2024 outdoor adventure planning!
Browse t-shirts, beanies, hats, blankets and more!?
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Help us help you: we want to make working with state government easier.
The State of Washington wants to learn more about your interactions with its government services to better support your needs. Please take this 15-minute survey?for a chance to win a $200 gift card (your choice of 1,000+ options)!
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