The journey hasn’t always been smooth in the four years since Jon Crimmins returned to Whidbey Island to take on a new role.

So last week when his walk from his vehicle to the Oak Harbor Library was interrupted by a gust of wind that sent his laptop and projector tumbling to the ground below, Crimmins chalked it up as a minor irritant and stayed the course, ultimately delivering a presentation he felt was timely.

“Let’s see if this projector still works,” Crimmins said, maintaining his humor. “Well, it’s warming up.”

Crimmins came to Oak Harbor last Wednesday night to provide background and to share support for a concept that has been on his mind since he expanded his scope and became the first area manager of Central Whidbey State Parks in 2012.

Crimmins’ presentation was part of the first formal meeting to explore starting a friends group that would support seven of the island’s nine state parks that fall under his Central Whidbey domain ­­— Fort Casey, Fort Ebey, Ebey’s Landing, Keystone Spit, Joseph Whidbey, South Whidbey and Possession Point.

Deception Pass and Dugualla state parks are managed separately and supported by their own foundation.

A centralized advocacy group to both support and coordinate volunteer efforts at all seven state parks inside the Central Whidbey management area is something Crimmins started thinking about when he started his new job, but didn’t want to wish for too much, too soon at a time when state parks already were undergoing dramatic change.

Huge state budget cuts led to a reduction in staff, the implementation of the Discover Pass and new centralized management across the state parks system, turning three separate management areas into one called Central Whidbey.

He supported the formation of the Friends of South Whidbey State Park, figuring the timing wasn’t right to explore a group with a broader reach.

“I didn’t think it was going to be possible,” said Crimmins, who spent eight years as a park ranger at South Whidbey State Park, followed by three at Fort Flagler,  near Port Townsend, before coming back to his hometown of Coupeville. “I thought it would take quite a long time in order to bring in the north end. And I think if you looked at it individually with parks, there is that problem that you are going to end up with too many groups. And that’s what I was struggling with. Do I want to start a Fort Casey group? Do I want to start a Fort Ebey group? At one point, some folks came forward and said, ‘we’re going to start a friends group for Joseph Whidbey.’ It’s like, ‘Oh my goodness.’ There are so many boards involved in that.”

Crimmins and his limited staff now manage an area that stretches from Oak Harbor to Clinton that was once run by three onsite park rangers and their staffs five years ago.

The operation is now more streamlined and efficient with shared resources and is centrally based at Fort Casey, where staff is dispatched to address needs when they arise at all seven of the parks.

The needs are many.

The reduction in staff following the 2011 cuts led to shorter camping seasons at two parks, reduced office hours at all parks, some restroom closures and summer interpretive programs being placed on hold.

Crimmins recognized almost immediately that the new system would pose unique challenges.

In December 2012, two aggressive dogs were abandoned at Fort Ebey State Park and attacked two hikers, injuring one. A five-day dog hunt ensued, closing the park and draining park resources, impacting other parks in the process.

“We had other projects going,” Crimmins said. “It basically, because of our limited staff, shut us down.”

Despite some of the inconveniences, the scenic waterfront parks remain popular.

About 1.5 million people annually visit Central Whidbey State Parks, which combined, is only slightly less than the number that comes annually to Deception Pass, the state’s most visited park.

Crimmins credited volunteer groups and individuals as vital to the parks’ past, present and future successes.

A number of volunteer groups such as the Fort Casey Volunteer Battalion, Keepers of the Admiralty Head Lighthouse, Lighthouse Docents and Friends of South Whidbey State Park are responsible for the interpretive programs and tours at their parks.

Other groups and individuals tackle trail maintenance or participate in park cleanups or other projects.

The list of present needs remains large with parks needing help with lawn mowing, litter patrol, opening and closing gates and other chores.

However, the biggest need that has become more evident is centralized coordination and support.

That’s what drew a modest group to the Oak Harbor Library last week to listen and participate in discussion to consider forming what they are calling the Friends of Central Whidbey State Parks.

The idea would be to create a nonprofit umbrella group to support the individual groups already helping at all seven of the parks and to direct volunteer efforts to the projects of most urgent need.

Oak Harbor residents Barb and Ed Adams have taken the lead on making the friends group a reality, spurred by their passion to help the parks they visit regularly. They helped organize last week’s meeting to measure people’s enthusiasm and interest in the idea and to brainstorm.

About 20 people attended, representing various volunteer groups affiliated with the parks from across the island, including the Fort Casey Volunteer Battalion, Whidbey Island Bicycle Club and Friends of South Whidbey State Parks.

Barb Adams, a retired certified public accountant, described the first meeting as part of feasibility study to gain input and assess interest before committing the time and resources required to form a nonprofit.

She said the enthusiasm and knowledge shared last week was exciting and hopes to see an even larger show of support at the group’s next meeting, scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m., April 19, at the Coupeville Library.

It is that meeting where the group hopes that people interesting in taking on administrative responsibilities such as board positions and other roles in building a nonprofit will begin.

The merits of the idea were expressed.

Steve Kobylk, a longtime dedicated parks volunteer from Coupeville and member of the Fort Casey Volunteer Battalion, said the formation of a 501c3 nonprofit umbrella group would allow his group to request grant money from other organizations.

Dan Olvera, wing maintenance officer at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, spoke about the large number of sailors on base who are regularly looking for community service projects and the value of a centralized point of contact to set this work in motion.

Matt Plush, president of the Whidbey Island Bicycle Club, expressed interested in the group and how a larger volunteer network from one distribution list might be interested in helping his mountain biking group groom trails at Fort Ebey.

“From talking with people in charge of these other groups, they’re really interested in having these broader networks,” said Margie Parker, a big supporter of the friends concept. “It would be advocacy and support for all of these groups.

“People can’t donate to the (Central Whidbey) parks right now and that’s a big function to a friends group is to be able to take donations.”

Sharon Sharpe, a state parks program specialist, is serving as a liaison to friends groups.

Should the Friends of Central Whidbey State Parks get off the ground, the Friends of South Whidbey would simply absorb into the new group and become a complementary component, said Ann Fruechte, a Friends of South Whidbey member who attended the meeting.

Parker proposed that each state park be represented by its own board member.

Those interested in becoming a parks volunteer or joining the friends group may call 360-678-4519 or send an email to HelpWhidbeyStateParks@gmail.com