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Chapter 11 RECREATION, PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT <br />Goals and policies for identifying and managing the financial resources needed to acquire, maintain and manage <br />parks, recreation and open space facilities -The purpose of this goal is to develop guidelines that will ensure <br />facilities are developed and operated in a manner that provides the greatest public benefits for the least cost <br />and to ensure that costs are distributed equitably. <br />11.2 EXISTING CONDITIONS <br />11 .2.1 Spring/Summer Opportunities <br />The Yakima River, with its head-waters located in Kittitas <br />County, provides an abundance of recreational opportunities <br />to county residents and tourists. Ranked by many as one of <br />the west's top natural fisheries, the Yakima River attracts many <br />sports fishermen from around the state, as well as local <br />citizens. In addition to the Yakima River, a number of lakes, <br />streams, and creeks provide great fishing potential for county <br />residents and tourists. <br />In addition to sports fishing opportunities, the Yakima River is utilized by many county residents for river <br />floats. In response to the increasing public use the Bureau of Land Management has improved a number of <br />recreational sites within the Yakima River Canyon. The Roza Dam Recreational Facility provides sanitary <br />facilities, waste receptacles, picnic areas, and a boat launch for users of the Yakima River. <br />Kittitas County provides the only improved, non-fee boat launch facility to the Columbia River in Kittitas <br />County. This facility is located within the Vantage town site and also provides sanitary facilities, picnic areas, <br />and waste receptacles. Although most heavily used from late spring to early fall, this launch is open year <br />round. <br />The vast number of public lands in Kittitas County, offer county citizens opportunities for hiking, camping, <br />biking, horseback riding, and off-road vehicle (ORV) activities throughout the year. The LT. Murray Wildlife <br />Area (owned and managed by WDFW) is perhaps the most widely used for these purposes. In order to <br />promote non-motorized transportation, Kittitas County has provided a bike lane on Umtanum Road to Irene <br />Rinehart Park and a pedestrian path on Airport Road to Bowers Field. <br />Various park projects have been developed. The Coal Mines Trail is an example of the development of a <br />multi-jurisdiction regional trail, which follows the old rail corridor between Cle Elum, Roslyn to Ronald. While <br />the trail is managed by a six member Trail Commission, the trail is owned by the three jurisdictions through <br />which it passes: Cle Elum, Roslyn and Kittitas County. The property was acquired in 1994. Development of <br />the trail and trail heads is underway and improvements are continuing. <br />Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission operate and maintain a number of parks in Kittitas <br />County, including, but not limited to, the Easton, Olmsted, and Ginkgo State Parks. Also, the Palouse to <br />Cascades State Park Trail (FKA John Wayne Pioneer Trail) is operated and maintained by the Washington <br />State Parks and Recreation Commission. The Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail provides citizens of Kittitas <br />County with a non-motorized transportation route. <br />Page 133