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:
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![A small red excavator working on a dirt hill in a forested area with trees and bushes around.]()
Removed tons of invasive plants and noxious weeds
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![Three people outdoors planting or working in a garden, with a sign and plants nearby.]()
Restored habitat by removing invasives and planting natives
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![Comparison of a degraded natural habitat with neglected debris on the left and a restored, lush green park with trees on the right, illustrating the Friends Habitat Restoration Project.]()
Replaced 1950's era garbage dump with attractive meadow
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![A small vintage gas station with two red fuel pumps in front, and a sign above the door that reads 'Official Vehicles Only.' The station is surrounded by a parking lot and residential buildings, with trees in the background.]()
Partnered with local Rakers Auto Club to renovate historic gas station
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![Three men working on building or repairing a wooden staircase on a forest trail, surrounded by trees and greenery, wearing outdoor clothing and gloves, with a trail sign nearby.]()
Installed steps and hand railings on steep trail sections throughout the park
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![Four men are assembling or repairing a concrete bench outdoors near a parking lot, with a pickup truck in the background.]()
Funded and installed new park benches
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![A woman standing next to her bicycle at a bike rack on a paved sidewalk, wearing a helmet and a teal jacket, with a grassy hill and white building in the background during sunset.]()
Funded and installed bike racks throughout the park
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![Informational sign at Fort Worden State Park about Battery Benson, featuring historical photos and diagrams of the artillery battery, with a caution about exploring underground areas with flashlights.]()
Replaced and updated historical signs on Artillery Hill
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![Two smiling volunteers standing outside a small information booth with an 'OPEN' sign and a map, wearing green vests with volunteer patches.]()
Opened Visitor Information Center
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![Six people standing inside a room under renovation, holding paint rollers and brushes, smiling and posing for the photo.]()
Painted new Interpretive Center
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![Fort Worden State Park trail map with an inset photo of a dog waste station. The map shows trails, campsites, and park features, with a legend explaining symbols.]()
Create and print Fort Worden Trail Maps and fund Bark Ranger Pet Waste Bag dispensers throughout the park
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![An elderly man with glasses and a beard stands outdoors beside a small wooden free library filled with books, with coniferous branches in the background.]()
Installed and maintain Free Little Libraries at campgrounds
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![Three men are working on a wooden project outdoors on a sunny day. One man is inside the wood, holding a tool, while the other two are leaning over and observing. There are tools and supplies on the wood and in the background, cars are parked near a building.]()
Repaired picnic tables
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![A man in a denim jacket and cap is outdoors among green shrubs and tall trees, tending to the plants.]()
Assumed responsibility for care and maintenance of Fort Worden’s Rhododendron Garden
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![A woman reading an informational sign at an outdoor scenic location near water with trees in the background.]()
Funded and installed interpretive trail in Chinese Gardens
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![A person wearing a helmet and gloves is trimming or cutting a large tree trunk with a chainsaw in a wooded area.]()
Removed invasive English Ivy from slopes above Marine Science Center
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![Two men in outdoor work clothes standing next to a metal marker post with a level tool on top, surrounded by trees and bushes, one man with a wheelbarrow containing shovels.]()
Repair and maintain walking trails throughout the park
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![A man standing outdoors near the coast, wearing glasses, a plaid shirt, and jeans, posing with a coin-operated binocular viewer on a post, with water and shoreline in the background.]()
Funded, installed and maintain two sets of viewing scopes
