South Whidbey Parks & Recreation District Bond

South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District Bond

Measure Text

The Board of Commissioners of South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District adopted Resolution No. 2019-02 concerning parks and recreational facilities. This proposition authorizes the District to acquire approximately 40 acres of real property in the District and to develop and improve such property for passive and active recreational use; issue up to $379,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within a 5 year term; and levy excess property taxes annually to repay the bonds, as authorized in Resolution No. 2019-02.

Should this proposition be approved?

• Yes 
• No 

Ballot Title Written by Island County Prosecuting Attorney

I find myself in a most uncomfortable position on this issue. In most cases I would, without a second thought, advocate for more park land. Right now I am hearing from disgruntled neighbors of Trustland Trails to the effect that the operations manager is cowboying all over the neighborhood, willy-nilly cutting enormous “trails” that look more like freeways through the forest we thought was being protected, and dangerously close to their property lines – where it was agreed years ago there would be no trails. In the past I have had great respect for Parks Director Doug Coutts, so was a bit shocked and surprised to hear from those neighbors that he had shrugged off their complaints. What’s going on at South Whidbey Parks & Rec? Have they lost sight of the most basic duties of a public organization? Such unresolved questions about how the Parks district treats its forest land leaves me less than eager to obligate myself for the purchase of more of the same. 

I’ve now had a response (not as responsive as I would like) from one of the SWP&R board members, so understand more of what this is about. SWP&R has received an RCO (Recreation & Conservation Office of the state, the people who hand out funds for land acquisition) grant of $300k to buy the 40 acres behind the primary school on Maxwelton Road. A condition of these grants is that there has to be an equal local match – which is why they’re asking for the bond, to make up that match. There has been a long ongoing wish to get that land into public ownership. This looks like the way to do it. I still think SWP&R has a lot to answer for about the Trustland Trails property, but would not hold this acquisition hostage to those answers. So, with some frustration, I will be voting YES on the bond issue.