Governor’s Blue Ribbon Task Force

Governor’s Blue Ribbon Task Force

Project Specifications: Project Planning and Management, Facilitation, Group Management, Public Outreach 

Washington State Governor Jay Inslee established the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on Parks and Outdoor Recreation in March 2014 to develop an action plan and recommendations to manage and develop Washington’s outdoor recreation assets and state programs to increase outdoor recreation activities as well as promote the jobs and business associated with outdoor recreation.

Lennox Insites facilitated all public meetings and helped to guide the process while supporting the Task Force’s co-chairs and the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office employees. A copy of the Final Recommendations is here.

SITE

All-day meetings were held in five locations across the State of Washington – Olympia, Kent, Spokane, Wenatchee, Sequim and Seattle – with all meetings open to the public and a period of public testimony. Task force meetings focused on the contribution that recreation makes to the economy in Washington State and discussed future funding options for Washington State Parks.

ISSUE

The outdoor recreation industry makes a major contribution to the economy of Washington State but it had not been quantified or documented. The industry wanted to raise its profile and be recognized as an official economic sector in state government. At the same time, funding for Washington State Parks had been dramatically reduced during the recession and forced to raise their own funds through entrepreneurial efforts. Exploring alternative methods of the state park system was a second major focus of the task force.

SOLUTION

Washington State Governor Jay Inslee established the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on Parks and Outdoor Recreation in March 2014 to develop an action plan and recommendations to manage and develop Washington’s outdoor recreation assets and state programs to increase outdoor recreation activities as well as promote the jobs and business associated with outdoor recreation.

ROLE

Lennox Insites was contracted by the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office to design, plan and facilitate the public meetings. We also contributed review time for notes and deliverables for the project.