Dishman Hills Etiquette

Dishman Hills Natural Area is a very special woodland. It is close to the city and yet retains its wild nature. The first consideration is given to wildlife and habitat. Recreational use is secondary and limited to hiking/walking only. Management is critical and here are guidelines to follow.

1) Stay on trails which will be clearly identified. The picture below is an example of what is not a trail. To assist with trial identification– get a map to make sure you know where they are – signs coming soon once worked out with Spokane County Parks and Recreation and the Department of Natural Resources.

Too many trails change the “natural part” of the Natural Area.  Wildlife survives better if  there are some places without people.

2) Keep dogs on leash – dogs keep wildlife under stress and may annoy those who do not consider dogs as wildlife. Note you may also be subject to a $70 fine for having your dog off a leash if noticed by the Park Ranger. Please clean up poop - if you are too far from a trash can dig a hole and bury it so it can decompose. To assist you in this matter dog bag dispensers have been placed at many of the official trail heads. No one wants to see this:

3) No Fires –This is what Dishman Ridge looked like after the wildfire.

4) Bicycles can go to Iller Creek for a fun ride or to Beacon Hill for skills and thrills but they do not belong in the Natural Area.

5) No paint – paint balls, no paint on rocks or trees.

6) Please respect private property - stay on the park trail system.

7) Building Forts and Camps is not appropriate in Dishman Hills.

8) Parking - Remember to use designated parking areas and not along the side of county roads.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.61.560

RCW 46.61.560 Stopping, standing, or parking outside business or residence districts.

(1) Outside of incorporated cities and towns no person may stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle, whether attended or unattended, upon the roadway.

     (2) Subsection (1) of this section and RCW 46.61.570 and 46.61.575 do not apply to the driver of any vehicle that is disabled in such manner and to such extent that it is impossible to avoid stopping and temporarily leaving the vehicle in such position. The driver shall nonetheless arrange for the prompt removal of the vehicle as required by RCW 46.61.590.

     (3) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply to the driver of a public transit vehicle who temporarily stops the vehicle upon the roadway for the purpose of and while actually engaged in receiving or discharging passengers at a marked transit vehicle stop zone approved by the state department of transportation or a county upon highways under their respective jurisdictions. However, public transportation service providers, including private, nonprofit transportation providers regulated under chapter 81.66 RCW, may allow the driver of a transit vehicle to stop upon the roadway momentarily to receive or discharge passengers at an unmarked stop zone only under the following circumstances: (a) The driver stops the vehicle in a safe and practicable position; (b) the driver activates four-way flashing lights; and (c) the driver stops at a portion of the highway with an unobstructed view, for an adequate distance so as to not create a hazard, for other drivers.

     (4) Subsection (1) of this section and RCW 46.61.570 and 46.61.575 do not apply to the driver of a solid waste collection company or recycling company vehicle who temporarily stops the vehicle as close as practical to the right edge of the right-hand shoulder of the roadway or right edge of the roadway if no shoulder exists for the purpose of and while actually engaged in the collection of solid waste or recyclables, or both, under chapters 81.77, 35.21, and 35A.21 RCW or by contract under RCW 36.58.040.