State plans to lease Lyons Ferry Park

Washington State Parks is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to finalize a contract for the state parks to regain operation of the day use park at Lyons Ferry. Parks officials hope to have a signed lease some time this winter, according to Virginia Painter of the state parks.

Painter said as soon as a lease is finalized, parks officials will start calling for 90-day contracts for improvements with a projected opening in May.

Painter said $600,000 has been budgeted with the focus for improvements in the day use area and boat launch. This budget also includes maintenance for the Palouse Falls visiting area located north of Palouse Falls.

However, Painter reported the state does not have a plan to bring Central Ferry Park back into operation. Noting Central Ferry has been declared a habitat area by the Corps of Engineers, she said the former park is “not recoverable” as a state park.

Painter said parks officials hope to work at Lyons Ferry with an active group of volunteers to help maintain the park.

“We’re focusing on the day use because it brings in people who use the park,” Painter said.

At this time, the parks department is not planning to improve the Lyons Ferry campground, but that could happen at some point in the future.

At Central Ferry, the corps has taken out the rest area, torn out the infrastructure and is converting the acreage to habitat.

She noted there is still public access to the habitat.