Calls for developing Miller Peninsula State Park (MPSP) because “we need more camping” are short-sighted.
Every state has signup lists for camping; it isn’t unique to Washington.
Does this mean we should destroy the last swath of public land of this type on the Olympic Peninsula?
Using loss of camping spots at Sequim Bay State Park to justify developing MPSP is a red herring.
Parks’ internal discussions for Sequim Bay improvements show they are choosing to eliminate existing camping spots to create a large fenced dog area, sleeping huts, two paved parking areas and concessions area.
Plus, Parks already knows there are plans for a new, privately owned RV camping development adjacent to MPSP.
How much is too much?
Instead, can we imagine a different approach to State Parks use of our public lands?
One that creates a 21st century, forward thinking, habitat preserving, groundwater saving, responsible shoreline management, species protecting, education promoting, 3,000-acre intact forest, wetlands and plant ecosystem, day use park at MPSP?
Let’s take a moment to ask, why do people choose to visit the Olympic Peninsula?
Is it because it looks like every other place in the state?
Or is it because this is a beautiful, distinctive, unique area?
It seems to me these boring, unimaginative calls for accommodating “we need more camping” are reminiscent of the wonderful idea to create strip malls in every town “because people want them.”
I suggest Parks start including location, location, location into its planning policies.
Debi Maloney
Sequim