This landed in my inbox via Mark Fisher of STM. The WTA has been up there every so often building a new trail to the beach. If you want to know what's going on out there show up for one of the work parties. If you haven't been there you should check it out. There's not much there but combine it with a hike on Dungeness Spit and you have a full day. It's in the rain shadow so it's a good winter day trip.
Horseback Rider and Mountain Bike Enthusiasts (read the announcement
>>from WSP below):
>>
>>NOW is the time for your action. Start the New Year off with an act to
>>bolster the future of recreational opportunities on the north Olympic
>>Peninsula. Let Washington State Parks know now by email that you are a
>>trail user and that you want the new 3000 acre state park located
>>between Sequim Bay and Discovery Bay (the Miller Peninsula) to have lots
>>of single-track trails for horses and mountain bikes to use.
>>
>>In just six years, the area we have affectionately referred to by many
>>names (whether you come in from Diamond Point Rd, Cat Lake Rd, or East
>>Sequim Bay Rd) will be transformed into an official developed state park
>>by WSP. Right now, it is one of two areas in the State of Washington
>>to be honored for the WSP centennial as a brand new park. Millions of
>>dollars are being budgeted for planning and development costs. The new
>>state park will tie into the Olympic Discovery Trail.
>>
>>Planning has been underway for a couple of years now - in what is called
>>the "exploratory" stage. A great deal of feedback has come in from the
>>local community and neighbors (such as from Diamond Point and along East
>>Sequim Bay road), and the majority of comments have supported the
>>"accessible wilderness" concept - i.e. minimal development and limited
>>use. Trail use for horses and mountain bikes falls into the "adventure
>>sports" concept. While "accessible wilderness" is just fine as a
>>primary goal, we need more folks to give input in support of the
>>"adventure sports" as a second goal. WE HAVEN'T BEEN GETTING THAT.
>>While some trail users have been attending meetings, they simply aren't
>>sending in their comments.
>>
>>We are being asked for a show of hands - in other words SEND IN YOUR
>>COMMENTS NOW. Don't sit back and expect that we can do this for you.
>>Marc Reinertson and I can help in the planning, but state parks needs to
>>know that there are horseback riders and mountain bikers out there that
>>will use the trails if they are available to them. They need to hear
>>from those users.
>>
>>So write Peter Herzog, Parks Planner at Peter.Herzog@PARKS.WA.GOV and
>>let him know that that trail riding is very important to you and why.
>>Let him know what it means for you and your family and for the future of
>>you and your family. Let him know that outdoor recreation is a
>>fundamental part of life and the economy of the north Olympic Peninsula.
>>This is a very important communication for you to send (btw, Peter is
>>also currently working on long range planning for Fort Worden, and is
>>connected with other north Olympic Peninsula planning efforts all
>>currently underway.). Please, don't miss out - procrastination will
>>not work. The exploratory period is ending and the concrete plan
>>development phase is beginning.
>>
>>And suggest a name for the new State Park. The obvious suggestion
>>would be "Miller Peninsula State Park". They don't appear to want this
>>because there exists "Millersylvania State Park" south of Olympia, and
>>they think the name is confusing. Well my point would be that no one
>>can spell "Millersylvania" so they should just rename that park as
>>something else - like "Transylvania".
>>
>>
>>Jeff Chapman, Director, Buckhorn Range Chapter BCHW
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Herzog, Peter (PARKS) [mailto
eter.Herzog@PARKS.WA.GOV]
>>Sent: Friday, December 22, 2006 1:25 PM
>>Subject: Miller Peninsula Input and Public Workshop Announcement
>>
>>
>>
>>Dear Miller Peninsula and Sequim Bay State Park Stakeholder,
>>
>>As you are aware, the State Parks and Recreation Commission is
>>considering development of a new park at its Miller Peninsula property
>>near Sequim as part of the agency's centennial in 2013. As a potential
>>park visitor and park stakeholder, we're very interested in your input
>>into the type of experiences this new park should provide - and what we
>>should call it! Please take a moment and give us your thoughts.
>>
>>For the past year, agency staff have been working with the Sequim
>>community to craft alternative concepts for Miller Peninsula and nearby
>>Sequim Bay State Park and to identify feasible park facilities and
>>amenities. Public input so far has favored an "accessible wilderness"
>>concept. A description of this and three other concepts is available
>>for your review on the project website:
>>
>>
>>http://www.parks.wa.gov/plans/millerpenn/
>>
>>Please check out the "alternative park development and conservation
>>concepts" and let us know if we're on the right track. Don't forget to
>>suggest a name too.
>>
>>Here are three ways to give us your input:
>>
>>- Respond to this message and answer the questions below (input is most
>>helpful if received by January 15, 2007);
>>
>>- Fill out the attached questionnaire and mail to the address provided;
>>or
>>
>>- Attend our next public workshop scheduled for January 22, 2007, 6:30 -
>>8:30 P.M., at the Carrie Blake Park Guy Cole Convention Center in
>>Sequim.
>>
>>If you have any questions, please call:
>>
>>Peter Herzog, Parks Planner
>>Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
>>(360) 902-8652 Office
>>
>>Reminder: We also plan to present a progress report to the State Parks
>>and Recreation Commission at its January 11, 2007 meeting in in Normandy
>>Park, near SeaTac, Washington. This meeting is open to the public and
>>you are encouraged to attend and address the Commission in person. A
>>written copy of the report will be posted on the project webpage on
>>December 28, 2007. Written comments on the report are also welcome and
>>should be received by us no later than January 8, 2007.
>>
>>Thanks for your help!
>>
>>__________________________________________________ ___________________
>>
>>1. Four alternative concepts have been evaluated
>>
>>.Family/Group Retreat: Creating Connections.
>>
>>.Cultural Campus: A learning center emphasizing natural/cultural history
>>and interpretation.
>>
>>.Accessible Wilderness: Comfort and exploration in a natural setting.
>>
>>.Adventure Sports: Resource-based health/fitness/adventure.
>>
>>Based upon input to date, State Parks is further evaluating Accessible
>>Wilderness, drawing in selected elements from the other alternatives, as
>>a preferred vision concept.
>>
>>a. Does the Accessible Wilderness concept reflect your idea of what a
>>new park at Miller Peninsula should be? Please explain.
>>
>>b. What are key features of this concept that you feel should be
>>emphasized?
>>
>>c. What key features from other concepts do you feel should be included
>>in this concept?
>>
>>2. To avoid confusion with an existing unit with the state parks system
>>(Millersylvania State Park), suggestions for a new park name are being
>>solicited. State Parks policy for naming of parks is that priority
>>shall be given to geographic locations, historic significance or
>>geologic features. In addition, the name should respond to the
>>preferred vision concept.
>>
>>What name(s) should be considered for a new park at Miller Peninsula?
>>
>>3. Other comments?
>>
>><>
Horseback Rider and Mountain Bike Enthusiasts (read the announcement
>>from WSP below):
>>
>>NOW is the time for your action. Start the New Year off with an act to
>>bolster the future of recreational opportunities on the north Olympic
>>Peninsula. Let Washington State Parks know now by email that you are a
>>trail user and that you want the new 3000 acre state park located
>>between Sequim Bay and Discovery Bay (the Miller Peninsula) to have lots
>>of single-track trails for horses and mountain bikes to use.
>>
>>In just six years, the area we have affectionately referred to by many
>>names (whether you come in from Diamond Point Rd, Cat Lake Rd, or East
>>Sequim Bay Rd) will be transformed into an official developed state park
>>by WSP. Right now, it is one of two areas in the State of Washington
>>to be honored for the WSP centennial as a brand new park. Millions of
>>dollars are being budgeted for planning and development costs. The new
>>state park will tie into the Olympic Discovery Trail.
>>
>>Planning has been underway for a couple of years now - in what is called
>>the "exploratory" stage. A great deal of feedback has come in from the
>>local community and neighbors (such as from Diamond Point and along East
>>Sequim Bay road), and the majority of comments have supported the
>>"accessible wilderness" concept - i.e. minimal development and limited
>>use. Trail use for horses and mountain bikes falls into the "adventure
>>sports" concept. While "accessible wilderness" is just fine as a
>>primary goal, we need more folks to give input in support of the
>>"adventure sports" as a second goal. WE HAVEN'T BEEN GETTING THAT.
>>While some trail users have been attending meetings, they simply aren't
>>sending in their comments.
>>
>>We are being asked for a show of hands - in other words SEND IN YOUR
>>COMMENTS NOW. Don't sit back and expect that we can do this for you.
>>Marc Reinertson and I can help in the planning, but state parks needs to
>>know that there are horseback riders and mountain bikers out there that
>>will use the trails if they are available to them. They need to hear
>>from those users.
>>
>>So write Peter Herzog, Parks Planner at Peter.Herzog@PARKS.WA.GOV and
>>let him know that that trail riding is very important to you and why.
>>Let him know what it means for you and your family and for the future of
>>you and your family. Let him know that outdoor recreation is a
>>fundamental part of life and the economy of the north Olympic Peninsula.
>>This is a very important communication for you to send (btw, Peter is
>>also currently working on long range planning for Fort Worden, and is
>>connected with other north Olympic Peninsula planning efforts all
>>currently underway.). Please, don't miss out - procrastination will
>>not work. The exploratory period is ending and the concrete plan
>>development phase is beginning.
>>
>>And suggest a name for the new State Park. The obvious suggestion
>>would be "Miller Peninsula State Park". They don't appear to want this
>>because there exists "Millersylvania State Park" south of Olympia, and
>>they think the name is confusing. Well my point would be that no one
>>can spell "Millersylvania" so they should just rename that park as
>>something else - like "Transylvania".
>>
>>
>>Jeff Chapman, Director, Buckhorn Range Chapter BCHW
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Herzog, Peter (PARKS) [mailto
eter.Herzog@PARKS.WA.GOV]>>Sent: Friday, December 22, 2006 1:25 PM
>>Subject: Miller Peninsula Input and Public Workshop Announcement
>>
>>
>>
>>Dear Miller Peninsula and Sequim Bay State Park Stakeholder,
>>
>>As you are aware, the State Parks and Recreation Commission is
>>considering development of a new park at its Miller Peninsula property
>>near Sequim as part of the agency's centennial in 2013. As a potential
>>park visitor and park stakeholder, we're very interested in your input
>>into the type of experiences this new park should provide - and what we
>>should call it! Please take a moment and give us your thoughts.
>>
>>For the past year, agency staff have been working with the Sequim
>>community to craft alternative concepts for Miller Peninsula and nearby
>>Sequim Bay State Park and to identify feasible park facilities and
>>amenities. Public input so far has favored an "accessible wilderness"
>>concept. A description of this and three other concepts is available
>>for your review on the project website:
>>
>>
>>http://www.parks.wa.gov/plans/millerpenn/
>>
>>Please check out the "alternative park development and conservation
>>concepts" and let us know if we're on the right track. Don't forget to
>>suggest a name too.
>>
>>Here are three ways to give us your input:
>>
>>- Respond to this message and answer the questions below (input is most
>>helpful if received by January 15, 2007);
>>
>>- Fill out the attached questionnaire and mail to the address provided;
>>or
>>
>>- Attend our next public workshop scheduled for January 22, 2007, 6:30 -
>>8:30 P.M., at the Carrie Blake Park Guy Cole Convention Center in
>>Sequim.
>>
>>If you have any questions, please call:
>>
>>Peter Herzog, Parks Planner
>>Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
>>(360) 902-8652 Office
>>
>>Reminder: We also plan to present a progress report to the State Parks
>>and Recreation Commission at its January 11, 2007 meeting in in Normandy
>>Park, near SeaTac, Washington. This meeting is open to the public and
>>you are encouraged to attend and address the Commission in person. A
>>written copy of the report will be posted on the project webpage on
>>December 28, 2007. Written comments on the report are also welcome and
>>should be received by us no later than January 8, 2007.
>>
>>Thanks for your help!
>>
>>__________________________________________________ ___________________
>>
>>1. Four alternative concepts have been evaluated
>>
>>.Family/Group Retreat: Creating Connections.
>>
>>.Cultural Campus: A learning center emphasizing natural/cultural history
>>and interpretation.
>>
>>.Accessible Wilderness: Comfort and exploration in a natural setting.
>>
>>.Adventure Sports: Resource-based health/fitness/adventure.
>>
>>Based upon input to date, State Parks is further evaluating Accessible
>>Wilderness, drawing in selected elements from the other alternatives, as
>>a preferred vision concept.
>>
>>a. Does the Accessible Wilderness concept reflect your idea of what a
>>new park at Miller Peninsula should be? Please explain.
>>
>>b. What are key features of this concept that you feel should be
>>emphasized?
>>
>>c. What key features from other concepts do you feel should be included
>>in this concept?
>>
>>2. To avoid confusion with an existing unit with the state parks system
>>(Millersylvania State Park), suggestions for a new park name are being
>>solicited. State Parks policy for naming of parks is that priority
>>shall be given to geographic locations, historic significance or
>>geologic features. In addition, the name should respond to the
>>preferred vision concept.
>>
>>What name(s) should be considered for a new park at Miller Peninsula?
>>
>>3. Other comments?
>>
>><>
