WAIKIKI BEACH The Discover Pass became a reality for people using Washington State Parks Friday, July 1. Those visiting Waikiki Beach at Cape Disappointment State Park had mixed reviews about the $10 one-day fee or $30 annual fee.

Its B.S. if you ask me. People simply wont come to the parks, like what happened when they charged $5. Now they are raising it to $10. The way the economy is, families want to come to the beach for an inexpensive vacation and it looks like the state is taking that away, one local woman said. 

She had not purchased a Discover Pass. Maybe I should go back and buy one, but there werent any signs letting us know. Lack of signage seemed to be the biggest complaint from park users from Leadbetter Park to Cape D.

A mother and daughter staying at Cape D Park did not know if they needed a Discover Pass. (Those staying at the campground do not need a pass.) I had heard of the new pass on the Seattle news, but it slipped my mind that today was the day they went into effect. We already got a $10 ticket at our campsite because we came in late last night and I forgot to put our sticker on the rearview mirror, the mother said.

The government has wasted our money for years and now they want to charge us to visit a state park. Were both teachers and we both took pay cuts and our wages are frozen for three years. My wife almost lost her job due to cuts and now this on our vacation, one visitor said as he and his wife gave several examples of where he felt Washington state government had been wasteful. 

I dont have a clue what a Discover Pass is, a local teen said, surfboard in hand. My dad told me about it, another local teen said. I should go back and get a pass, but the surf is really good right now. I dont like the idea of paying to park where weve come for years for free, but if the money goes to help keep up the parks, then I guess its OK. He then hit the water to surf.

You have to pay to park everywhere you go where we live, a mother from near the I-5 corridor said. My husband is in the military and he has received his pay a week late, so I realize times are tough in our state. You could spend $30 and go to Chucky Cheese for dinner or you could enjoy all this for a year. This is wonderful, she said motioning towards the sun-drenched beach. 

All governments are hurting and I believe there are only a handful of states where you can go to a state park without paying a fee. More and more governments are going to have to be run like a business. I think attendance will be down at the park and local businesses will be hurt, but coming to Cape Disappointment is still a bargain, one local gentleman said.

I pay the extra $5 (for state parks) when I renew my license tabs and I will gladly pay $30 for the yearly pass because I like to use the state parks and I would hate to see them close. Nobody makes someone pay the fee. Only those who use the parks need to pay and that seems fair, a local man said.

Another $5 is required for some purchases

We have sold a few Discover Passes this weekend. One thing that bothers me is that we have to charge $35 for an annual pass when WDFW and the Parks Department advertise them for $30. It makes us look like we are overcharging, but we are required to collect the extra $5 processing fee, Tom Downer, owner of Jacks Country Store in Ocean Park said. An annual Discover Pass costs $35 and the day-use pass is $11.50 when purchased from WDFW online or from a vendor. Buying directly at a park is the only way the cost is $30 for an annual pass and $10 for a one-day pass. 

I am still unclear as to whether Leadbetter is a state park as it is on federal land and I have not gotten a clear answer as to whether parking alongside the state highway that runs through the park is under parks or highway jurisdiction, Downer said.

As of July 4, 291 annual passes were sold and 306 day-use passes were purchased at Cape D, for a total of $11,790 income to the state. Last years state budget shortfall was $5.4 billion. 

The Discover Pass is good for one vehicle for a day or for the year and a license plate number must be on the pass so it is non-transferable. The day-use pass is good for any state park for that day and the year pass is good for all 7 million acres of state recreation land. If someone staying at Cape D wants to visit another state park such as Leadbetter or North Head Lighthouse, they must have their receipt visible, but the 1 p.m. checkout time on the day they are leaving, they would need a Discover Pass.

People launching boats can park at the launch without needing a Discover Pass. Parking on the ocean beaches or beach access areas is free and a pass is not needed, even if that area is within a state park.  

The new requirement, approved this year by the state Legislature, is designed to help keep 7 million acres of state recreational lands open after steep budget cuts. The Discover Pass allows state natural-resource agencies to maintain public access to millions of acres of state recreation lands, said Phil Anderson, director of the WDFW. Sport fishers and hunters have traditionally supported WDFW wildlife areas and water access sites through their license fees; now all who enjoy these lands will share in their support. 

The fine for not displaying the pass is $99. Information about exemptions and other aspects of the pass is available at www.discoverpass.wa.gov or by calling 866-320-9933. Passes may be purchased from WDFW online at www.fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov, or by phone 866-320-9933 or from license vendors around the state.