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Home My WebLink AboutJCPRAB Report to the BOCC 2025In our annual report to the BOCC we thought we would talk about some of the successes in the last year, as well as some of the challenges we see. • There has been a gradual increase in parks staffing recently (thank you BOCC), which has resulted in an improved level of parks maintenance and services to the community. • The Recreation programs continue to grow and provide great value to the communities they serve, especially the youth programs. • Several major projects have been started, completed or launched, including the JUMP playground, basketball courts at Courthouse Park, the Quilcene Skateboard Park and the new fence at Memorial Field. • Parks usage overall continues to increase – sports fields are being fully utilized, the facilities at HJ Carroll always seem to have an event happening. • Partnerships also contribute to these successes, with State Parks, WDFW, the Sheriff’s Dept., the skateboard park to name a few. • We can’t say enough about how the contributions from our many volunteers, helping with parks maintenance, trails at Irondale Beach, Indian Island, Gibbs Lake parks, and especially the youth recreation programs. As for challenges - With national programs seeing significant financial cuts, it is extremely important for State and local parks to remain open and viable for the entire community. We would like to see a budget that is able to cover all O&M rather than leave some parks totally dependent on volunteers. This could include expanding the recreation program budget to make Samantha Miller, Lead Recreation Supervisor a full- time position, as well as the creation of a Park Ranger position to raise parks profile, better manage campgrounds and high use areas. In summary, the value and importance of parks, recreation, and open space doesn’t necessarily show up on a balance sheet, but it should be reflected in the County’s budget, the County’s support for department employees and increased access to recreation programs, parks and open space by the entire community.