Parks and Rec looks back at 2013 | Letter
Published 4:28 pm Thursday, January 30, 2014
The year 2013 is wrapped up and put on the shelf and Orcas Island Parks and Rec District would like to say thank you, thank you to everyone for a great first full year of funded operation! There has been much to learn and much to set up, and we could not have completed the programs without the help of all of our amazing volunteers.
In our first full year we logged over 1,500 volunteer hours with coaches, team helpers, and instructors. Thanks to your time and efforts, players have enjoyed a wide range of sports, hobbies, games, and arts. We also shout out a big thank you to the school district, the public library, the port district, and the museum for working with us to set up programs and office keeping.
In 2013 your tax dollars supported programs, facilities, and operations. Over the year an average of 140 youth were involved in park and rec sponsored sports each week and an average of 65 adults played drop-in sports each week.
We invested over $40,000 in Buck Park maintenance and repairs, which included repairing the well system for the park, irrigation improvements, field maintenance, and drainage improvements. The work also included ongoing repairs and maintenance to the skate park and tennis courts. We still have a number of improvements for the park, but 2013 made a major dent in the to-do list.
We need your program suggestions and comments as we strive to offer the sports and programming that meet your needs. Please share any ideas you might have.
This winter and spring we are teaming with San Juan Island Rec to offer two charter trips for adults and families: Feb. 8 to the Northwest Flower and Garden Show, and on April 27 to the Mariners Family Day for the game against the Texas Rangers. Both of these events include all transportation and entry fees.
Spring sports are just around the corner. We are looking for volunteers who can help with youth baseball and spring soccer. The current mid-winter activities are listed on the website at www.orcasparkandrec.org. Hope you can come out and play in 2014. Pickleball or Volkswalking anyone?
Marcia West
Director, Orcas Island Park and Recreation District
