Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s new Blue Ribbon Task Force on Parks and Outdoor Recreation will hold its first meeting April 9.
The Governor called together leaders in outdoor recreation, including Outdoor Research CEO Dan Nordstrom, to develop an action plan and recommendations to manage, transform and leverage Washington’s outdoor recreation assets and state programs. In his executive order, he asked that the recommendations focus on increasing outdoor recreation activities and promoting recreation-related jobs and business. The task force must complete its work by Sept. 19.
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.
Outdoor recreation in Washington directly supports 227,000 jobs and generates $22.5 billion in annual spending on things like equipment, lodging and apparel.
“This isn’t just about Washington’s economy. This is also about a generational legacy in our state,” Inslee noted in a news release announcing his executive order. “We need to leave a Washington that allows every single one of us young or old to experience, play and relax in some of the most beautiful trails, parks and lakes in the world. I know we can find a way forward to making sure Washington’s beautiful outdoor spaces are promoted and preserved for generations to come.”
The April 9 meeting will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in Conference Rooms A, B, and C of the John A. Cherberg Building, on the Capitol Campus, 304 15th Ave. S.W., Olympia.
At this meeting, task force members will review existing research and learn about demographic and recreation participation trends and the economic benefits of recreation. According to the meeting agenda, they also will get an overview of state recreation programs and hear presentations from local parks and federal recreation programs.
