Special events are planned for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, while area parks will waive entrance fees in honor of the holiday.
The federal holiday is in honor of King’s birthday on Jan. 15.
It is observed on the third Monday of January each year.
Olympic National Park and state parks will waive entrance fees Monday in memory of the civil rights leader who was assassinated in 1968.
Olympic National Park’s regular entrance fee is $30 per car and $25 per motorcycle.
On fee-free days, other park fees, including wilderness camping and campground fees, will remain in effect.
The Olympic National Park annual pass costs $55.
On Monday, no Discover Pass will be needed to visit state parks, which on the North Olympic Peninsula are Bogachiel near Forks, Dosewallips near Brinnon, Fort Flagler on Marrowstone Island, Fort Townsend and Fort Worden in Port Townsend, Anderson Lake State Park near Chimacum and Sequim Bay near Sequim.
The Discover Pass is a $30 annual or $10 one-day permit required on recreation lands managed by State Parks, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the state Department of Natural Resources.
The free days apply only at state parks; the Discover Pass is still required on Fish and Wildlife and DNR lands.
Free days apply only to day use, not to overnight stays or facilities.
For more information, see www.nps.gov and discover pass.wa.gov.
Some organizations have asked participants to make the holiday “a day on, not a day off” by providing community service.
Here are events set for Monday on the North Olympic Peninsula.
Blue Heron orchard
PORT TOWNSEND — Some 50 to 90 people are expected to show up for the annual Martin Luther King Day of Service work party at the Blue Heron Middle School’s orchard.
Volunteers will meet in the orchard at the school at 3939 San Juan Ave., at 1 p.m.
They will spread 70 yards of compost, mulch and wood chips around the 70 fruit trees at the middle school orchard.
Those not up to toting mulch can help out by keeping an eyes on the trees people and processes, organizers said.
Participants are asked to bring wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes and buckets if they have them. Extra wheelbarrows to share will be welcome.
Gloves, water bottle, snacks and correct clothing for the weather also are useful.
Weed pull
PORT TOWNSEND — The Port Townsend Marine Science Center will host its 8th annual MLK Day of Service from noon to 3 p.m.
Volunteers, who will meet at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, 200 Battery Way, will pull invasive European Dune Grass from the beaches of Fort Worden.
Some tools will be provided, but organizers encourage participants to bring their own spading forks or shovels, wear sturdy gloves, and bring reusable water bottles.
Light refreshments will be provided.
RSVPs are encouraged to Mandi Johnson at mjohnson@ptmsc.org or 360-385-5582 ext. 116.
Work party
PORT TOWNSEND — The North Olympic Salmon Coalition will host a work party at Snow Creek Estuary south of Discovery Bay from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A maximum of 10 volunteers will pull invasive Scotch broom and blackberry plants and do other general maintenance tasks on a Jefferson Land Trust preservation area.
The estuary is home to endangered summer chum salmon, steelhead, coho, chinook, white sturgeon, forage fish, Olympic oysters, shorebirds and waterfowl, the coalition said.
It is one of the most intact estuaries of its kind on the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Hood Canal
Tools and gloves will be provided, as well as snacks and hot drinks. Volunteers are asked to bring warm, waterproof clothes and boots, water and a lunch.
RSVP for details, including parking, at secure.lgl forms.com/form_engine/s/bW-8OUC3Dvyt5gBH_1IYIw.
High school garden
PORT ANGELES — North Olympic Land trust volunteers will work with Port Angeles School District’s AmeriCorps Program to help maintain the school garden at Port Angeles High School.
Volunteers will meet at the high school at 304 E. Park Ave., at 10 a.m. and are welcome to participate for any length of time.
Organizers will provide materials. Participants are asked to wear warm, weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes, and bring work gloves, water and a snack, and tools such as rakes and shovels, although some will be supplied.
A form to RSVP is at northolympiclandtrust.org/event/mlk-day-of-service/.
