When Yellowstone was set aside in 1872 as the world s first national park, it marked the start of a new attitude toward the American outdoors. Citizens gradually came to see value in saving tracts of open space for everyone to enjoy. 1913 State legislature creates the Washington State Board of Park Commissioners, consisting mostly of elected officials.
Lawmakers offer no official instructions, guidelines or funding for the new board.
Plant trees along state highways. Improve and beautify parks and parkways. Permit citizens to camp in parks. Grant concessions for services in parks. Acquire land, including shore and tidelands, for park purposes.