Friends of Rocky Prairie

Millersylvania State Park &
Its Planned Expansion

Millersylvania is an historic state park, a regional gem, accommodating 500,000 annual visitors, including thousands of bicyclists, runners, swimmers, triathletes, boaters, anglers, campers, hikers and other nature enthusiasts every year. It is home to many diverse species and old growth trees.

The Park houses a year-round environmental learning center on the shores of Deep Lake, a small, quiet lake popular for its relaxing ambience, where anglers do not have to compete with jet-skis or speedboats. See more information about the Park’s history and happenings.

Currently, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is planning to expand the southern boundary of Millersylvania State Park by acquiring the Miles Sand and Gravel property, to protect the area around the park. A new access road will be created off the Maytown Road. This park acquisition has been funded by a grant from the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation, and is Washington State Park’s number one priority for the year.

The family that owns the McIntosh Tree Farm – 1200 acres of long-term, undeveloped forest around the Port’s property – has incorporated land into Millersylvania’s Long-Range Boundary Plan, thus demonstrating the commitment of both parties to protect the integrity of the Park by preserving adjoining lands.

The area around Millersylvania, the privately owned forests, and the Fish and Wildlife Preserve consists of low-density rural residential, farms and sizable parcels that are largely undeveloped, pristine, intact habitats. The importance of connecting and securing these large tracts of land is to provide safe wildlife corridors and adequate aquifer recharge areas, as well as, to maintain the rural character – what may become the only regional reprieve from Interstate traffic and city bustle. (See Location and Maps.)

The Park’s southern portion will soon be accessible due to its expansion. Yet, the Ports’ plans would route 1000’s of trucks exiting from Interstate 5 onto Maytown Road – competing with RV’s, park-goers and local residents – past the Park’s new road to make the 2.5-mile trip to the entrance of the proposed Logistics Center, and back again. Hundreds of trains will be heard daily; one set of tracks running parallel to Maytown Road and Millersylvania would likely block traffic on a regular basis.