MEDIA ADVISORY
September 15, 2011
Improvements to Samish Overlook Day-use Area means temporary closure beginning Sept. 20
State DNR expects to reopen the area by Nov. 30
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today that beginning Tuesday, September 20, the Samish Overlook Day-Use Area will need to be temporarily closed. Construction work is underway to make improvements to the area. DNR expects the area to reopen by November 30.
| Who: | DNR Recreation Program |
| What: | Temporary closure of Samish Overlook |
| When: | September 20 through November 30, 2011 |
| Where: | Samish Overlook, west of Acme, in Skagit county |
Why:
| DNR is making improvements to the trailhead at Samish Overlook Day-use Area. For public safety reasons, DNR needs to close the area during construction. Improvements include:
• Upgrading the current gravel parking lot to an asphalt-paved parking lot with room for 23 vehicles, include two ADA-accessible stalls.
• Adding a viewing area to better observe scenery and enhance public enjoyment.
• Improving trail conditions within the day-use area. |
The Samish Overlook provides breathtaking views of Samish Bay, Samish Island, and the San Juan Islands. It’s also a popular jumping-off place for hang gliders and paragliders. Nearby trails provide recreation access for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians.
The new trailhead improvements are funded by a $325,000 grant from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office’s Nonhighway and Off-Road Vehicle Activities Program.
Recreation on DNR-managed lands
DNR manages 5.6 million acres of state-owned forest, aquatic, agricultural, conservation and urban lands. Most recreation on these lands takes place in the 2.9 million acres of forests that DNR manages as state trust lands. By law, state trust lands are managed to produce income for schools, universities, prisons, state mental hospitals, community colleges, local services in many counties, and the state’s General Fund. State trust lands are also managed to provide fish and wildlife habitat and educational and recreational opportunities.
DNR-managed lands provide 1,100 miles of trails, 143 recreation sites, and a variety of landscapes throughout Washington State. Recreational opportunities include hiking, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, camping, motorized vehicle riding, mountain biking, and boating.
DNR’s main recreation focus is to provide trails, trailhead facilities, and a primitive experience in a natural setting.
Media Contact: Toni Droscher, Recreation Program Communications Manager, 360-902-1523, toni.droscher@dnr.wa.gov
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