Working with local volunteer groups and Riverside Advisory Board Members, we have come up with some quality ideas for improving what is known to most users as the Equestrian Area or Trail Town Riding Stables. Riverside State Park no longer has a concessionaire for Trail Town Riding Stables. Trail Town has been in existence at the park for many years, it has provided trail rides to the public at a low cost and given many people the opportunity to experience the thrill of riding a horse through the park for the first time. While the loss of our concessionaire will impact the availability of trail rides, it opens the door for exciting new opportunities at the park.

We are working towards improving the area for equestrian and recreational use that is in compliance with Riverside’s Land Classification and Management Plan (CAMP). The CAMP plan classifies park lands and prepares park management plans through careful analysis of resource inventories, technical information, and results of an issue based public planning process. Riverside’s CAMP plan was completed in the late 1990’s.

The recreational activities that have been occurring in the Equestrian Area will continue to be hiking, environmental education, equestrian use, bicycling on the Centennial Trail, orienteering, fishing and nature watching.

Improvements to the area can include but is not limited to:

• Trail improvements

• Primitive / equestrian group camping

• Improved concession area

• Improved water system

• Noxious weed control

• Vegetation management/ fuel reduction

• Arena, stabling barn

• Linking the park to Palisades

• A better connection to A.L. White, Bowl and Pitcher Overlook

If you have suggestions for improvements or if you would like to volunteer, give me a call at the Ranger Station at 509-465-5064.

Parking Fee Bites the Dust!

by René Wiley,
Riverside State Park Manager

As of April 1st, 2006 park visitors will no longer need to pay $5.00 to visit their parks. The fee was removed as a result of a new law passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor.

Riverside rangers and staff would like to thank those of you who supported the parking fee by purchasing the Natural Investment permit, or paying the $5.00 daily fee. The fee was put into place in 2003 due to budget cuts, following years of budget reductions for parks. It was intended to assist us in keeping parks open to the public, as well as repair our decaying facilities. The removal of the parking fee is bitter sweet. Park Rangers are happy not to have to collect the fees from our visitors, but at the same time worry about the stability of our park system and ability to keep the parks operating at an acceptable standard with a limited budget.

There is still a $5.00 a day or ($50 annual) Natural Investment permit required to use the Nine Mile Boat Launch or Bowl and Pitcher Trailer Dump. Camping fees and all other fees remain in place.

Refunds: For those of you who purchased an annual Natural Investment permit and don’t plan on using it for watercraft launching or trailer dumping you can request a refund. Refund applications will be accepted between April 1 and June 30, 2006 .Refunds will be processed through our Olympia Office. To request a refund for the months remaining on your permit, go to Washington State Parks website (www.parks.wa.gov), download and print the Refund Request form. Forms are also available at the park office. Fill in the information requested, attach your actual vehicle parking permit to the form and send to Pamela McConkey, P.O. Box 42650, 7150 Cleanwater Drive S.W., Olympia, WA. 98504. It may take up to 30 days to process your request.

Once again, thank you for your continued support.

Ranger's Log: Canoe and Kayak Rentals Offered

by MacArthur Mikkelsen
Head Park Ranger, Little Spokane River Natural Area

The birds are chirping, the grass is starting to look green, and the days are getting longer. That can mean only one thing… hot summer days are right around the corner, and nothing could be better than spending one of those days canoeing or kayaking through Riverside State Park.

Many of you may already be aware that Riverside State Park has canoes and kayaks for rent. If not, I’m informing you in this article, so there.

As part of an “enterprise program” driven funding source, Riverside purchased several kayaks and equipment to be available for rent to the visitors of the park. We also have two canoes, which are particularly nice for small families who wish to be in the same vessel. Anyhow, the great thing about the program is that people can experience the wonderful scenery of the park from the Little Spokane and Spokane Rivers and the revenue earned from renting the boats goes directly back into the program.

Rental prices are $25 per boat (canoe or Kayak) for the first day, and $15 for each consecutive day thereafter. Rental includes PFD, paddle(s), and tie downs. Guided trips are also available for an additional cost. Photo ID, credit card, and completion of a waiver of liability agreement are required for rental. Cash, check, or charge are all accepted.

To reserve a canoe, kayak, or guided trip, please contact Riverside State Park at (509)465-5537

or riverside@parks.wa.gov.

macmikkelsen02@hotmail.com

Foundation 2005 Annual Report

by Kevin Carmichael
President, Riverside State Park Foundation

The Riverside State Park Foundation has been in existence since 2001. It continues to play an active role in support of Riverside State Park.

The purpose of the Foundation, as stated in the Bylaws, include:

1. To encourage general awareness, further public interest and provide public education in an effort to promote the responsible use and protection of the Park and its cultural, recreational, historical and natural resources.
2. To solicit funds and collect contributions to assist the management of Riverside State Park in enhancing its programs and services at the Park.
3. To promote and maintain an active membership.
4. To encourage, organize and aid volunteer services.

The Park is also supported by the Riverside State Park Advisory Board which provides advice to the Park Manager. The Foundation and Advisory Board work cooperatively in support of Riverside State Park and while they have different purposes their activities overlap.

The Foundation continues to communicate with the public through a quarterly newsletter sent out in January, April, July and October. Distribution ranges from 80 to 400 depending on the content and targeted audience. The Foundation maintains a website at www.riversidestatepark.org that identifies features of the park. The Foundation also distributes a flier that encourages membership and describes features of the Park.

Current membership in the Foundation is 58. 44 of these members have contributed cash and 14 have become members through contributing volunteer hours in the park. Sales of Park trail maps also contribute to our income. In addition, the public is provided with the opportunity to donate to special projects through a contribution envelope inserted in each newsletter.

The Fat Tire Trail Riders Club (FTTRC) and the Trail Care Crew of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) combined to build a bypass around a difficult section of trail sometimes known as Devil’s Down. The trail is approximately 890 feet long and took 120 plus hours of volunteer labor to complete.

The Foundation is seeking funding to improve the Indian Painted Rocks and the surrounding trail system. The project includes protecting, preserving and highlighting the ancient pictographs from the early Native American Settlers in our area. There will be a kiosk for historical interpretation and educational materials as well as an ADA accessible ramp and viewing platform. Future enhancement of the project will be additional trail maintenance and an elevated walkway and platform for wildlife viewing, also ADA accessible, between the Painted Rocks and the Little Spokane River.

Major projects that are on the radar include park management of the Nine Mile Resort, development of the equestrian area and enhancements to the Fisk Property.

Manager Rene’ Wiley continues to provide excellent support to the Foundation. She attends our meetings providing valuable input and keeps us informed about park activities, staffing levels and budgets.

The Foundation looks forward to another exciting and challenging year as Riverside State Park continues to support the recreational and environmental needs of the community and state.