• Skagit County to Host Public Hearing on County Park Fee Increases.

The Skagit County Commissioners will host a public hearing on Tuesday, August 19^th, at 9:00 a.m. to consider testimony on the draft Skagit County Parks and Recreation fee schedule. The public is encouraged to join the hearing either virtually via Zoom at the link on the Commissioner’s webpage or in-person in the Commissioner’s Hearing Room at 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon. Written comments can be sent to Brian Adams, Parks and Recreation Director, at briana@co.skagit.wa.us. The proposed fee schedules are available to view on the Parks and Recreation webpage.

The Skagit County Parks and Recreation Department is proposing fee increases for campground and recreational area rentals to ensure the department can continue meeting operational needs without compromising service quality. When considering fee changes, the Department reviewed other campgrounds of similar size and amenity levels, as well as the maintenance and operating costs for staff to continue managing the parks. While the new fees are higher, they are still consistent or slightly lower than fees for other comparable parks.

The Parks and Recreation Department will launch a new website portal for customers to reserve campgrounds and shelters online on October 1, 2025. The new software will allow our visitors to more conveniently make reservations, while reducing the strain on county staff resources. Currently, all campground reservations are made over the phone with a staff member. The new software will also allow the Department to take reservations for all picnic shelters on county campgrounds. The updated fee schedule adds a cost for picnic shelters which is consistent with the previous cost for picnic shelter rentals at the Skagit Playfields. Part of the fee increases will help cover the cost of the new online reservation software.

Proper management of local parks is imperative to the Skagit County Commissioners. We are proud of the recreational areas we share with the community, and it is vital that we continue maintaining these lands. Part of the Skagit County Strategic Plan is to increase physical, social, and emotional wellbeing at all stages of life. This includes increasing public access to our recreational areas and implementing equitable access to all health benefits of local trails. The implementation of a fair and consistent fee schedule for park reservations will ensure Skagit County can maintain, and expand, park and recreation access for our community and visitors.