BRINNON — Embittered land owners attended a public meeting Tuesday to express their displeasure with the possible expansion plan for the 425-acre Dosewallips State Park.
Currently, there are about 44 Brinnon-area private properties included in long-term alternatives for expansion of Dosewallips State Park.
About 35 Brinnon-area residents attended a meeting at Brinnon Community Center on U.S. Highway 101 to offer comments and express concerns related to the 10 alternatives the state Parks and Recreation Commission has offered.
Those attending were in overwhelming agreement that they were not interested in their properties being considered for state park land.
“We paid a big price for our property and we’d like to keep it and maintain it,” said Elsa Kaley of Brinnon.
Staff members of the state Parks and Recreation Commission are downplaying the plans, saying that the proposal stage has not yet occurred and, with public comments, the alternatives will be refined to reflect feedback received.
“The process isn’t over yet,” said Peter Herzog, parks planner with the state Parks and Recreation Commission.
“The process is far from over. That’s why we’re here getting comments.”