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Preserve Our Park (POP) was formed by local Gig Harbor area residents in early 2009 to garner local and statewide support to keep Kopachuck State Park open and not part of the State Parks 2009 Budget reduction plan.
As part of the Earth Day activities, Gig Harbor volunteers showed up on
April 24th - "Parks Appreciation Day" to help Rangers with our annual "Ivy
Pull" at Kopachuck State Park. Over 40 people of all ages met at the park.
They came from the neighborhood, local Boy Scout Troop, Cub Pack 202, Harbor
Wildwatch and the board of POP. We met with the Kopachuck Rangers and
learned how to identify the invasive "English Ivy" plant and set out with
gloves and trash cans throughout the park to determined to win the "tug of
war" with the relentless ivy!
Within a few hours, we had filled and refilled our trash cans which were
dumped into waiting dump trucks. We filled 2 big trucks with heaps of the
stuff! In between rain bursts and sun breaks, you could hear everyone
working together and having a great time. Afterward, POP provided a
complimentary hot dot lunch for our volunteers - complete with fresh apples
and home baked cookies from our POP board members.
We were delighted to meet and welcome our new Washington State Park
Commissioner, Patricia Lantz. She and her husband, John stayed for the day
and we soon learned that she will be a great voice on the Commission who
will represent our concerns and give us direction as to the best way to
support our local State Parks. "Activities such as these go a long way in
demonstrating community support for the State Parks".
POP is grateful to all the volunteers who came out to share the day and we
look forward to upcoming events and to welcoming new people who may want to
become a part of the Kopachuck family of volunteers.
Thanks to everyone that pitched in and gave their time over the last year and half sending emails and letters, gathering petitions, helping at our functions and giving us encouragement. We did it, THANKS TO YOU! the 'Opt-out' change to the vehicle registration forms was signed by the Governor on May 20th 2009. It ensures that no parks will be closed at least until 2011 as long as enough funds come in from the registration donations. WE ALL HAD AN HAND IN MAKING IT HAPPEN!! THANK YOU!!!!!
We are not Out of the Woods Yet!! |
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Sign up to our Mail List and we will keep you in the loop on the latest news.
Contact us at kopachuckpop@yahoo.com and join with us to SAVE YOUR STATE PARKS.
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