State budget cuts this year hurt many programs, including the state parks. Without extra funding, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission estimates it would have had to temporarily close over 40 state parks. The state legislature passed a bill in April establishing a donation program, which includes an option to add $5 to your vehicle tab registration renewal.
After one month in operation, the State Parks department says the program is working. Of the $28 million needed in the 22-month period, it collected $1.4 million in September. (The target is $1.5 million per month.)
Read more about the donation program at parks.wa.gov.
