HomeMy WebLinkAboutReport of JCPRAB 2026 Park TourDear County Commissioners,
By Resolution No. 18-89 the Board of County Commissioners
established a Parks Advisory Board (Parks Board). The duties and
responsibilities of the Parks Board are “to assist in the development of
programs and policies concerning Jefferson County parks, to review and
comment upon proposed rules, policies or ordinances prior to their
adoption by the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners, to oversee
the development and revisions and amendments to the Jefferson
County Parks, Open Space and Recreation Plan and to carry out and to
carry out the duties prescribed therein. The Parks Board has adopted
By-Laws that provide for yearly tasks that include a tour and assessment
of county parks and recreation programs. This letter is intended to
provide a report on this year’s assessment.
This year the Parks Board toured Quilcene Community Park and
Campground, Riverside Park, Deema Smakman and Little League Field,
and Lake Leland Campground and Day Use Park. What follows is the
assessment of these four park properties.
Quilcene Community Park and Campground
This park is a real community asset. A recent improvement provides
free water for locals at no cost. The park is very accessible and provides
easy access to the community center. The back steps of the community
center need to be repaired.
The location of the new skate park looks great. There are pickleball and
basketball courts that are used by residents. One downside to the
camping area is its proximity to the road. It could use a buffer of trees
to reduce the noise. Campsite privacy could be improved, and a
reservation system would be nice.
If possible, a neighborhood security patrol might be helpful, there have
been a few incidents.
Riverside Park
This park property in undeveloped but it has great potential. The park is
located adjacent to the improvements being made to control flooding
including installation of a new bridge. We suggest contacting the Hood
Canal Salmon Enhancement Group at pnwsalmoncenter.org to
coordinate use of the park with their work on the Big Quilcene River.
Also, if possible, get a volunteer group to help clear brush and make the
park property more useable.
Deema Smakman and Little League Field
It was nice to see the Little League now has both baseball and softball.
The fields are well maintained by volunteers; they are in good repair.
Clearly the fields are a value to the town and volunteers are great. It
might be helpful to have professional field maintenance workers train
the volunteers. The county did in the past have small grants that
provided funding for lawn mowers and other machines and equipment,
it would be great if these small grant opportunities could happen again.
Lake Leland Campground and Day Use Park.
This is absolutely a wonderful park, with a beautiful setting. The park is
very well maintained. The County partners with Washington State Fish
and Wildlife to provide camping and fishing opportunities. The
property is well loved by locals, and very accessible with clear signs. A
local resident gave us some background on the lake and fishing
program. He should be a docent. With this campground as well as the
Quilcene campground perhaps there could be campsites set aside for
hikers and bikers.
Conclusion
We, the members of the Parks Board, hope the information in this letter
is helpful. We are all proud to serve on the Parks Board and look
forward to future opportunities to help the Jefferson County park
system continue to be a county jewel.