Accessibility Improvements in Washington State Parks
Washington State Parks Foundation is on a mission to make our state parks more welcoming for all. State park visitors tend to be less diverse and of a higher socioeconomic status than Washington’s overall population. Our 2022 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion study revealed state parks can better reach underserved BlPOC communities through improvements such as increased signage, streamlined online resources, and first-time visitor programming.
Since this study, our donors have supported accessibility improvement projects in several parks. These enhancements are helping spread the joy of Washington State Parks to more communities.
Grayland Beach
As a year-round marine camping park, Grayland Beach often needs to communicate seasonal updates to visitors. We helped fund a large new bulletin board at the front office to provide visitors with information, announcements, and self-registration. The office used to rely on a small bulletin board that was cramped with information and often caused confusion. The new board improves accessibility by reducing eye strain and centralizing information, which is especially helpful for newer campers.
Lake Sammamish
Lake Sammamish hosts community events ranging from stewardship to summer concerts. Park staff installed a new marquee reader board to help this park better communicate about these events and park conditions to the public. The weather-resistant board helps first-time visitors navigate the park and increases community awareness about events. Improving the signage in our state parks is a key part of expanding parks’ reach and welcoming more inexperienced visitors.
Riverside
DEI study participants reported a desire for increased picnic tables and shelters in state parks. These communal spaces, where visitors connect with their community in the outdoors, are a vital part of making state parks welcoming to all. A picnic shelter at Riverside now boasts new picnic tables, BBQs, bike repair stands, and a pet waste station. Riverside’s shelter is a valuable place of gathering for families and friends, and exemplifies the impact of donor support on inclusivity.
