Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition

08/20/2026

We recently hosted a tour of the Foster Island floating boardwalk redevelopment in Seattle’s Washington Park Arboretum with Senator Pedersen, Leah Dobey from RCO, Kelly Hall, and Seattle Parks and Recreation!

We toured both phases of the project, including Phase 1, which is already funded and expected to be completed in 2027. The project will improve accessibility and safety along the trail while protecting the surrounding wetland and riparian habitat.

Seattle Parks has applied for WWRP funding for Phase 2 in the current grant cycle, which would continue this work and improve access to this unique natural area in the heart of Seattle.

A big thank you to Senator Pedersen for joining us, for his continued support of the WWRP, and for his hard work on the capital budget. And thank you to Leah, Kelly, and Seattle Parks for joining us and making the tour possible! Thank you to everyone who joined us and to Seattle Parks for showing us around!

08/18/2026

Last week, we joined the City of Covington for a tour of Founders Park with all three legislators from Washington’s 47th Legislative District: Senator Claudia Kauffman and Representatives Debra Entenman and Chris Stearns! We were glad to spend time together outdoors and talk about the importance of investing in parks and outdoor spaces that strengthen communities across Washington.

Thank you to the City of Covington, WA for hosting us, and to Mayor Sean Smith, Brock Milliern and Megan Duffy from , and WWRC Board members Don Gourlie and Michele Hunt for joining us.

And a special shoutout to Representative Stearns for joining us for his second WWRC tour this summer! We’re grateful to our legislators and partners for continuing to show up and see these projects firsthand.

08/11/2026

On Friday, we headed to Vashon Island with Representative Brianna Thomas to visit the completed Vashon Athletic Fields and the Tramp Harbor Dock, where proposed WWRP funding would help support replacement of the aging dock.

These tours are such a valuable opportunity to see firsthand what outdoor recreation investments mean for local communities—and what future funding can make possible.

Thank you to Representative Thomas and her Legislative Aide Jordon Shamberg, the Vashon Park District for helping organize the tour, and the Vashon Parks Foundation for joining us. A special thank you as well to WWRC Board Member Jacqueline Reyes for coming along!

08/09/2026

We had a great time touring Meydenbauer Bay Park and Inspiration Playground in Bellevue with Representative Osman Salahuddin!

It was wonderful to see these community spaces in action and spend time talking about the importance of continued investment in parks and outdoor recreation across Washington.

Thank you to Representative Salahuddin, Bellevue Deputy Mayor Dave Hamilton, Bellevue Parks & Community Services Board Chair Rowena Clima, and the City of Bellevue team for helping organize the tour and for all their work to create and care for these incredible spaces. We were also glad to have WWRC Board Member Michele Hunt join us!

08/06/2026

Do you love the outdoors? Do you think we need more places to run, hike, play ball, recreate, climb, forage, and hunt? The Washington Wildlife & Recreation Coalition is calling on state leaders to invest $150 million in the Washington Wildlife & Recreation Program (WWRP) to help create and protect parks, trails, wildlife habitat, and working lands across our state.

Add your name to our sign-on letter and tell our elected leaders you support a $150 million investment in Washington's outdoors.

✍️ Click below to sign:

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08/06/2026

Join Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods and Noticing, for a special conversation with former U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell.

Wednesday, August 12, 6:30–8PM
Town Hall Seattle (1119 8th Ave)

This event is free, but registration is encouraged (Link below). We hope you'll join us for an inspiring evening exploring our connection to the natural world.

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07/16/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Captain Collin Killins, WWRC Board Secretary and Director of the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Lincoln Bormann, and Sophia Luangrath for generously donating this incredible auction experience to support the Washington Wildlife & Recreation Coalition's 2025 Fall Celebration.

On July 7, auction winners Jessica Uhl and Michael Payne and their sons enjoyed the experience alongside WWRC Operations Manager JT Nelson, taking in Washington Wildlife & Recreation Program project sites from the air before visiting the Mount Grant Preserve.

We're incredibly grateful to everyone who donates auction items and experiences to support the Coalition's work. Your generosity helps advance conservation and outdoor recreation across Washington. Thank you!

07/15/2026

It was a beautiful day to visit Springwood Park in Kent with Rep. Chris Stearns and local partners! We toured the park to see how a $500,000 Washington Wildlife & Recreation Program Local Parks grant helped transform this community space into a welcoming destination for people of all ages.

The project included expanded play areas, walking paths, a community gathering space, picnic shelter, sports court, open lawns, and other amenities that make it easier for families and neighbors to gather, play, and enjoy the outdoors. The total investment in the project was $3 million.

Thank you to Representative Stearns, the City of Kent, and everyone who joined today's tour to celebrate the lasting impact of investments in Washington's parks and outdoor recreation!

07/10/2026

Summer legislative tours are underway! ☀️ This week, the Washington Wildlife & Recreation Coalition joined Rep. Greg Nance for a visit to Manette Park in Bremerton, showcasing how state investments and local partnerships come together to create vibrant community spaces.

Supported by a $500,000 Washington Wildlife & Recreation Program (WWRP) Local Parks grant in 2019, the renovation transformed Manette Park with a new playground, accessible walking paths, a picnic shelter, sports court, restroom, ADA parking, energy-efficient lighting, and other improvements that make the park more welcoming for everyone.

During the tour, local partners also highlighted the strong community support behind the project, including nearly $97,000 raised through the City of Bremerton Parks & Recreation Department, with contributions from the Kitsap Community Foundation and local donors. It's a great example of how state funding can leverage local investment to create lasting benefits for Washington communities.

Thank you to Representative Nance, the City of Bremerton, and all of the community partners who helped make this project possible!

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07/04/2026

🎉 Congratulations to the City of Camas on the grand opening of the newly redeveloped Crown Park!

With support from a $500,000 Washington Wildlife & Recreation Program (WWRP) Local Parks grant and more than $2.2 million invested by the City of Camas, this community park now features an inclusive playground, splash pad, ADA-accessible pathways and restroom, and new gathering and play spaces for people of all ages and abilities.

Today's celebration brought the community together with a land acknowledgment and blessing from the Cowlitz Tribe, followed by a performance from Cowlitz drummers. Thank you to Representative Stuebe, staff from Senator Cantwell's office, Mayor Steve Hogan, the City of Camas, and everyone who helped make this project possible.

The festivities included a City Council vs. Parks Commission relay race, a bike rodeo hosted by Camas Bikes, food vendors, lawn games, live music, and—best of all—kids already enjoying the new splash pad and playground. There's no better way to celebrate a new park than seeing it filled with laughter and play.

Congratulations to everyone who helped bring Crown Park to life! 🌳💦

Camas WA Camas Bike & Sport City of Camas