Hiker Headlines: Winter Parking, WTA’s Impact, Blake Island, Yakima Loop, Parks Director

It’s December 16. With winter recreation ramping up, it’s important to know how to park legally at mountain passes. The impact of the WTA community is getting noticed. Tillicum Village is closing on Blake Island. Planners aim to make Yakima more walkable. And the new director of the National Park Service has been sworn in. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

When winter parking areas fill up, it's important to have a backup plan. Photo by Birb. 

Park responsibly at the passes: If you’re heading to the mountains to explore or play in the snow, freshen up on these reminders from WSDOT about where you can park legally. Do not park or walk along highway shoulders and off-ramps, and go prepared with a backup plan if the parking lot you’re planning on is full.

The WTA community is making a difference: The WTA community really came together this year to support trails in so many important ways. The impact of all that work didn’t go unnoticed — we made one of Seattle Met’s most influential lists.
  
Tillicum Village is closing: Tillicum Village is closing operations on Blake Island in Puget Sound. The resort facility was a big draw to the island, which also has several miles of hiking trails and is owned and managed by Washington State Parks. Officials are in the process of figuring out what comes next for the island.

Making Yakima more walkable: A new walkable district, the Yakima Mile Loop, has been proposed to increase non-motorized travel through the downtown area. The plan includes sustainable building practices and increased safety for pedestrians and cyclists.  

National Park director sworn in: Charles F. “Chuck” Sams III was officially sworn in today as director of the National Park Service. Sams will be the first Tribal citizen to lead the agency and the first permanent director in 5 years. Among his many tasks, he will oversee the implementation of the Great American Outdoors Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to upgrade our national parks for the future.

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