Peterson marks last season at Boyer Park

After 16 years of working 14-hour days and killing rattlesnakes, Boyer Park and Marina’s Dave Peterson plans to retire at the end of the season.

Peterson took over as Boyer Park concessionaire for the Port of Whitman in the winter of 1997. His first official season started in the spring of 1998. He lives on top of the Almota grade and was working at Washington State University when the position opened.

Although it took him 12 to 14 years to finish a degree in agriculture economics, he earned the degree at age 53 and went on to manage the park.

He and the Port of Whitman worked together at the park and marina, but in 2002, Peterson took over the whole park.

“We had a good relationship with the port and this was more efficient,” he said. “It’s worked out well. The concessions complement the camping.”

Port Properties and Development Manager Debbie Snell said they will miss Peterson.

“Dave’s seen a lot of changes at Boyer,” she said. “He’s a wonderful guy and provides good customer service. He’s a wonderful asset for the port.”

The park has 12 campsites that can be used year-round, with 32 full hookup sites and the remaining 16 as partial hookups.

The marina’s motel has four rooms, but the main draw is the full suite with a deck overlooking the marina.

“It’s good for family reunions,” Peterson said, with most families renting the entire motel and then cooking and entertaining in the suite.

Visitors come from all over the U.S. with a large number from western Washington. Peterson said at least 80 percent, and probably more, are returning customers.

“We’re more laid back here,” Peterson said. “We have more amenities than some of the other parks like showers and laundry facilities. And they can boat, fish and walk the trail. There’s something for everyone here.”

In 1998, a clubhouse that adjoins the restaurant was built and later enclosed. Peterson said that really increased his business, with customers holding reunions, weddings and other celebrations in the building.

The main season usually runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, although if the weather holds, the park can keep busy well into October.

“Weather is critical and controls the whole season,” Peterson said.

If spring is warm, more people and boats will come to Boyer, but if it’s colder, like this spring, boat slips most likely will remain empty until temperatures warm up. He said the last three to four years the park has experienced cooler than normal springs.

Peterson said the economy has a lot to do with how well the park and marina does. Higher fuel prices and costs of supplies can determine the number of customers.

“You find ways to adapt,” he said.

Peterson said he stepped into a real challenge when he first took over operations of the park.

“The challenge when I came here was to make the park family-friendly,” he said. “There was a lot of partying going on, with kids from the college and high school kids.”

After warning party-goers, he said he requested assistance from the sheriff. Eventually the parties ceased.

He also recalls some big fires on the hills above the park one dry year and the year two boats were lost to fire.

“One time, a fellow from the East asked if we had any Indian trouble,” he laughed.

He also recalls one year when it was drier than normal and rattlesnakes invaded the park. During the hottest months of the summer, Peterson said he killed three to four snakes a day. He said he and the Boyer crew tried to trap the snakes and release them, but they also knew that the trapped snakes would return, and to protect visitors, they opted to destroy the snakes.

No one was bitten during that time. In his years at the park, Peterson said only two dogs have been bitten by rattlers. Although he’s come close, Peterson said he’s never been bitten.

He said he has fond memories of Boyer.

“It’s nice to be by the water, but you have to have your nose to the grindstone,” he said.

During the busiest part of the season, he said he works 12 to 14 hours a day, seven days a week.

Once he leaves the park, he will keep busy with his hobby - gold mining. He has a claim in Idaho that he intends to spend more time on.

“I think we’ll find enough to have some fun with it,” he said.

Peterson said he’s pushing 69 and regrets not having enough time with his family. His wife, Linda, was a nurse until she retired last year.

“I want to thank my wife for all of her support and patience,” he said.

“I want to thank all the loyal customers who came here and I want to thank the port for working with us over the years,” he said.

“The port is what keeps it going,” Peterson said. “They’re the lifeblood that keeps it going.”

“I also appreciate all the people who have helped us out.”

Snell said the port hopes to submit request for proposals for a new concessionaire within the next month.

Peterson believes the future looks good for Boyer.

“It would be ideal to have a couple who will work together and put their heart and soul into it,” he said.

“I hope it can continue on for people to use and I hope it will continue to expand,” he said.