We’re not sure why Orcas Islanders overwhelmingly approved the formation of a parks and rec district in 2009 but did not pass a levy to pay for it in 2010.

If you voted for the district in 2009, but forgot to send in your ballot last fall for the levy, now is your chance to remedy that oversight. The rec levy on last November’s ballot lost by only around 40 votes.

Seventy-two percent of Orcas Islanders said yes to forming a park and rec district. We also voted in five commissioners – Bob Eagan, Martha Farish, Jim Bredouw, Ian Lister, and Vicki Vandermay – who have been plotting a course for what the Orcas district will provide.

Until it is funded, the district has no capacity to support parks or recreational programming on Orcas Island, including the Orcas Recreation Program, which closed on Nov. 1.

The board’s original proposal of 10 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value for six years garnered 58.75 percent of the vote but needed a super majority of 60 percent to pass. Now the district is proposing 9 cents per $1,000 on the Feb. 8 ballot. For a $500,000 house, that is $45 a year. See a draft budget for the district at right.

San Juan Island has a thriving park and rec district. That community sees the incredible benefit of providing well organized, healthy activities for youth – and adults.

If approved, here is a sampling of what the district would fund: sports camps, sailing, arts and crafts, music, video, and technology classes, swimming, teen nights, after school programs, senior water aerobics, and the Steve Braun triathlon. It will also fund and manage Buck Park, which includes the tennis courts, skate park, and playing fields. The fields at Buck Park are in rough condition. Last spring, several students experienced serious injuries.

If you support a district that will enrich our community in countless ways, then please vote yes. Every vote counts.