For ATV residents of Thurston County, Thurston County ORV Park was a local treat. It was opened in 1979 and located on the north edge of capitol State Forest, on highway 8. This was a 155-acre site. Thurston had 5 miles of trail, ATV and OHV, a racetrack and grandstands, camping area and a keeper's home onsite. There were organized ride events throughout the season.
So what changed Thurston into "had" place and not a 'has" place? Thurston County ORV Park closed down in 2002 due to budget problems the county was facing. This is a sad fate for such a well-put together place for ATV use. The park is still there, but is closed. Could there possibly be a way that local ATV groups could reopen this park? Would any ATV group care to undertake this quest? It would mean so much to all users if this could be happen. Sometimes it is just a matter of talking to the local town and county boards. Even if this is county land, it could be pointed out that Thurston could be a ongoing concern with responsible stewardship by ATVers, and if it were open there could be revenue gained from a site just sitting there.
Maybe there is something in the works as this is written, but if it still seems to be just sitting empty, maybe an enterprising, concerned ATV group could come forward and look into the viability of bringing Thurston back to the ATV world.
