Charles “Guy” Miller, Chairman of the Skokomish Tribal Council, announced last week that the Tribe will be reopening the former Lake Cushman State Park for public camping, boat launches, and day use in spring 2012. The 520 acre parcel

was recently restored to the Tribe as part of a settlement agreement with the City of Tacoma.
“This land is very significant for us,” commented Chairman Miller. “The park is a real economic asset for this whole region, but it is also our home returned to us after many years.”
The Tribe’s business corporation, Skokomish Indian Tribal Enterprises, will be managing the park as part of the Tribe’s portfolio of businesses.  Enterprise CEO David Owens is pleased to be able to offer camping as part of the Tribe’s existing lodging options. “We are already operating a waterfront resort on Hood Canal, and now we can offer a lake camping experience as well. It’s a great match for us, and a great way to showcase the beauty of the Olympic Mountains.”  
The Tribe is already hard at work on upgrades and restoration projects at the campground, which will open as Skokomish Park at Lake Cushman.  The campground offers 82 camping sites including RV, tent, group, and walk-in sites; a public boat launch; and a public swimming and day use picnic area. Campers can reserve their favorite sites now at www.skokomishpark.org.
The park is part of the ancestral homeland of the Skokomish people, and includes areas where tribal members lived until they were evicted by construction of the Lake Cushman dam in the 1930s.
Owens, also announced that the enterprise group has hired Patrick Palmer of Shelton, Washington as the campground manager and ranger at Skokomish Park at Lake Cushman.
“We are very fortunate to have someone with Patrick’s skill set and background in this position,” said Mr. Owens. “He has been able to hit the ground running in getting the campground ready to open in the spring. It is a beautiful property, and we are really looking forward to showing it off.”
Mr. Palmer is a Shelton High School graduate, US Army veteran and long-time volunteer with Boy Scouts of America.  He has an extensive background in construction and architectural management and recently returned to the Northwest after having managing a 2000 acre Boy Scout camp in Conroe, Texas.

Patrick Palmer in the KMAS Studio

Below:  Pictures of and around Camp Cushman