Gov. Jay Inslee’s new Blue Ribbon Task Force on Parks and Outdoor Recreation will meet Tuesday in Spokane, but the public is invited to submit ideas online any time.
The Governor called together leaders in outdoor recreation to develop an action plan for increasing outdoor recreation activities and encouraging recreation-related jobs and businesses. The task force, which has been meeting since April, is on target to complete its work by September 19.
The task force will meet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in Room 205, Nursing Building, WSU Riverpoint Campus, 103 E. Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane.
At this meeting, the task force will hear updates from four subcommittees about their processes and findings. The subcommittees organized around the following topics: meeting future recreational needs, getting more people outdoors, economic development, and the state’s role in providing outdoor recreation.
How to Join the Conversation
The task force has time set aside time at 11:50 a.m. to hear directly from the public about issues they think the task force should be considering as its begins to write recommendations to the governor.
Take the Poll about Funding Recreation
The task force also is seeking ideas from the public through an online town hall. To participate, visit Engage Outdoor Washington.
The task force is asking new questions each week about different recreation issues. This week, the task force is asking who participates less frequently in outdoor recreation in Washington and why?
The task force also is asking people to take a poll about funding for parks. It is asking:
- How much more would you be willing to pay annually for parks and outdoor recreation?
- Would you designate these funds for city, county or state lands?
Outdoor recreation in Washington directly supports 227,000 jobs and generates more than $22 billion in annual spending on things like equipment, lodging and apparel.
The 28-member task force includes 16 voting members who are citizens involved in outdoor recreation and recreation-related businesses, 8 state agency representatives and 4 legislators.
The task force is staffed by the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office. More information about the task force can be found at the office’s website.
