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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, November 25, 2002
| Contact: |
Michael Welter, Thurston County Parks Director, 360-786-5595 |
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Don Krupp, Chief Administrative Officer, 360-786-5440 |
Thurston
County Commissioners Vote to Close ORV Park
OLYMPIA – Thurston County Commissioners today, in a two to one split,
voted to close the county’s Off Road Vehicle Park located off of State Route
8 about 16 miles west of Olympia at the Grays Harbor County line.
In making the decision, commissioners Cathy Wolfe and Kevin
O’Sullivan cited the cumulative challenges with the park including finances,
operations issues, environmental impacts, user risk and lack of local users.
Commissioner Diane Oberquell voted against the closure motion.
The ORV Park was opened in 1979 but has come close to closure due to
lack of funding several times including 1991 and 1997.
The county’s current budget situation leaves no room for bailout of
the park in the future. A
comprehensive plan review of the operation in 2001 recommended increases in
user fees and other steps to put the park in a healthier financial situation.
However, organized user groups urged county commissioners NOT to adopt
the plan.
The ORV Park also faces some environmental challenges including noise
complaints from neighbors. The
park is very dusty during the summer months and has impacts from storm water
runoff during the rainy season. Over
the past several years, the county has been working with the State Departments
of Ecology and Wildlife to prevent sediment-laden discharges into Mox-Chehalis
creek.
There has also been a risk factor at the park that has become more
pronounced in recent years. Two
people have died at the park and four people have been airlifted to hospitals
due to significant injuries. Numerous
lesser injuries have also been reported and there has been an increase in
drinking related problems at the park resulting in calls for medical and law
enforcement response from Thurston County agencies.
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Finding insurance for the park and park activities
has become increasingly more difficult. A
recent survey also showed that only about 15-percent of the ORV Park users
actually live in Thurston County.
Parks Director Michael Welter says, “It’s unfortunate that we have
reached the decision to close the ORV Park.
We know that it will be disappointing to many folks.
However, operating the facility has become more and more difficult as
the years have gone by and it’s time we turned our concentration to the
other fine parks and programs that we offer the residents of Thurston
County.”
Closure of the ORV Park will take place immediately since the park is
already closed for the season.
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