Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2005 04:43:09 -0800 From: PioneerStatePark@att.net ("Pioneer State Park") Subject: New Washington State Park In Rochester To: rochester@scn.org Natural Resources, Ecology and Parks Brian Sullivan - Dave Upthegrove - Jim Buck - Brian Blake - Richard DeBolt - Mary Lou Dickerson - William "Ike" Eickmeyer - Sam Hunt -Joel Kretz -Ed Orcutt -Brendan Williams Pioneer State Park Adventures Footprint=20 01.11.2005 Dear Committee Members: The foundation of our state's heritage has always been rooted in the accomplishments of the adventurous. Pioneer State Park is a proposal that challenges the human heart, gathering the people together to gaze on the past, while pondering new horizons. Pioneer State Park, covering approximately 100 acres, will be located on a plateau above the town of Rochester in Thurston County. The proposed site is a geological wonder, that can serve as an educational hub, highlighting our history and pointing towards new efforts in preserving Washington's natural resources. The proposed site can be viewed in this TerraServer USA image, as what appears to be a giant footprint pointed westward, NE of the red push pin - please click on link. http://terraserver.microsoft.com/addressimage.aspx?t=3D1&s=3D13& lon=3D-123.084307&lat=3D46.8152699&alon=3D-123.10308100&alat=3D4 6.807307&w=3D3&opt=3D0&qs=3Djames+rd%7crochester%7cwa%7c&addr=3D James+Rd+SW%2c+Rochester%2c+WA+98579 Location: The site is near the busy Hwy. 12 ocean beach corridor, accessed by Gresham St. SW in Rochester. The parcels that will be incorporated to create the new park, will be obtained by exchanging private property for state land. Parcels required for park creation: 13505210600 13505240300 13505310100 13505240500 Rochester School District #401 13505230000 13505210800 Possible state land exchange parcel 09790001000 borders Case Rd. along Interstate 5. Geomap - click here. http://geomap1.geodata.org/website/cadastral/viewer.htm?Query=3D Parcel_No=3D'13505210600'&QueryZoom=3DYes Education: Pioneer State Park's creation will be in partnership with Rochester School District #401. Land owned by #401, intended for use in educating our youth, will become a natural classroom for biology, forestry, agriculture and astronomy, to mention a few possibilities. A unique feature of the park's plateau location, is it's huge hemispheric view of the night sky, free of typical western Washington light pollution. The plateau's drainage is a biologist's paradise, formed by a three finger ravine. Physical education will be a priority, by offering hiking trails and safe perimeter roadside shoulders for pedestrians, physically challenged citizens and bicyclists. Additional educational historical points of interest and conservation sites near Pioneer State Park include, Fort Henness Site, Fort Borst Blockhouse, Grand Mound, Independence Valley, Chehalis Indian Reservation, Black River Habitat Management Area, Grand Mound State Game Reserve and Mima Mounds Natural Area. Development and maintenance of our state's newest park will be the responsibility of youth, specialized volunteer organizations and the business community. Recreation: Working with the Department of Transportation, access can be enhanced for the Chehalis River and Black River. Outdoor enthusiasts can hunt, fish, hike, bicycle and explorer numerous established features in the nearby Capitol Forest. Other off road adventures await today's explorers, in the Willapa Hills and on the numerous ocean beaches, nearby Capitol Forest. Other off road adventures await today's explorers, in the Willapa Hills and on the numerous ocean beaches, reached by traveling through the town of Brooklyn or Hwy. 12. All routes lead back to the center hub in Pioneer State Park. We invite the House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources, Ecology and Parks, in supporting the creation of Pioneer State Park. When the committee has studied the feasibility in securing the land needed, a meeting can be scheduled with the community and our committee, to hear more details of this adventurous proposition. Please feel free to contact me when a public forum has been scheduled or as further information is needed. Sincerely, Arthur G. Sanchez PioneerStatePark@att.net P.O. Box 207 Rochester, WA 98579 Cell Phone: 360.481.4585 Home Phone: 360.858.1278 THE WASHINGTON STATE POWERHOUSE 2005 Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2005 05:28:35 -0800 From: PioneerStatePark@att.net ("Pioneer State Park") Subject: The Beginning - Pioneer State Park Proposal To: janderson@rochester.wednet.edu ("Jim Anderson") Cc: rochester@scn.org, swedehall@aol.com Superintendent Jim Anderson Rochester School District #401 Dear Jim: Thank you for calling me to discuss the beginning proposals, in the creation of Pioneer State Park. I received an email from Representative Brian Sullivan, who stated he is interested in meeting, after discussing our issue with his staff. In my reply, I requested that he ask the House Natural Resources, Ecology and Parks (NREP)Committee to evaluate potential commercial real estate, that would be available in a state land exchange, with the Rochester School District. When I hear back from Rep. Sullivan I will immediately contact you with any information, to present before the #401 School Board. If all goes well, we will hopefully soon be notified of a public hearing. Today I will make a second attempt in contacting Henry Edinger, seeking information about the developers of the housing tract on the western tip of the proposed park plateau. It would be great if the property developers, might consider temporarily delaying construction on their building sites, until we have clarity on questions before the NREP Committee, regarding the feasibility in the creation of Pioneer State building sites, until we have clarity on questions before the NREP Committee, regarding the feasibility in the creation of Pioneer State Park. Due to the outstanding location of Swede Hall at the tip of the plateau footprint, it might be interesting to hear if the housing developer might consider building a resort, with a spectacular view of the Chehalis River Valley. Please feel free to contact me at any time. Best regards, Arthur Sanchez Cell Phone 360.481.4585 Home Phone 360.858.1278 PioneerStatePark@att.net