Accomplishments

As stewards of Fort Worden State Park, the non-profit Friends of Fort Worden provide both financial and volunteer support for park improvements and programs not funded by the state parks system. The Friends work closely with park management to identify key projects that support the park and is one of seventeen Friends Groups supporting Washington State parks and properties. Here are some of our more recent accomplishments:

Chinese Gardens Interpretive Trail

The Friends in cooperation with Washington State Parks have recently developed an easily accessible interpretive trail along the Chinese Gardens lagoon. The trail highlights the mosaic of life existing at the edges of the lagoon, farmed land and forest with its richness in plants, trees and animals, and the influence of human activity and the contributions of Native Cultures and the Chinese population that once utilized this area. Renowned local artist Larry Eifert created the illustrations for the five interpretive panels along the trail. Watch video

Chetzemoka Interpretive Trail

The Chetzemoka Interpretive Trail is a new project envisioned by the Port Townsend Native Connections Action Group and co-sponsored by the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, and endorsed by the Jefferson County Historical Society. The Friends of Fort Worden have agreed to fund the interpretive signage for the Point Wilson location #14.

Water Bottle Filling Stations

The Friends of Fort Worden are committed to minimizing the use of disposable plastic water bottles in the Park. Consequently, we have purchased and installed two water bottle filling stations.

ADA Viewing Scope

At the suggestion of the FWSP Manager, the Friends purchased and installed a public viewing scope with standard and ADA-accessible viewing heads. It is located on the Triangle of Fire viewpoint and is free for public use. Future plans are to install additional viewing scopes in several other locations in the Park.

Guided Nature Walks

In order to provide more community interaction with FWSP, the Friends have organized quarterly “Sundays in the Park” walks focusing on geology, native plants, birds, and marine life found in FWSP. The walks are led by local experts and are well attended by the public.