HomeMy WebLinkAbout032326 email - Children Recreation and ProgrammingALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Hello County Commissioners,
Four years ago, my husband and I CHOSE our move to Jefferson County and Port Townsend to join the walkable and robust sense of community specifically. The Recreation Center and Memorial
Field are literally at the heart of our uptown and downtown economic, residential and recreation centers in the community. The skate park, North Beach County park, etc, etc., touch
all corners of this community too. We CHOSE to have and raise our daughter HERE because we knew that these facilities and centers would help expand opportunities for our daughter thrive
in and contribute to true community connection. Further, we CHOSE to build a new home in Uptown Port Townsend, one block from the community rec center as an investment in this community.
These programs and centers are incredibly vital and give children and families refuge and sense of place, to connect with one another and build experience in community. These center
show prioritization of children and families and give Jefferson County a sense of safety, dedication, and stewardship of wholistic care and consideration for children and families.
Families visiting for the weekend or on their regular weekend rounds supporting our businesses and county farmer's market use the recreation center.
These centers make Jefferson County and Port Townsend an attractive and meaningful place to live, to work and to play. From a community health perspective, these centers keeping youth
engaged and I fully agree with previous comments from the meeting, that this is a huge public health and safety savings and investment for future residence of Jefferson County. These
facilities literally attract and keep families and working aged people here so we can contribute meaningfully. These programs also keep loving guidance available to all children in
Jefferson County, fulfilling the need of a village to raise our children.
Every new family in the past 4 years that we've met and engaged with, has mentioned the struggles of making it 'work' in Jefferson County and Port Townsend (jobs, housing, etc.) for
their families and I believe these centers and programs are foundational and give families and children here an anchor, facilitating hope and connectedness. Please, let's not just keep
these facilities open, let's find ways to invest, rebuild and expand them so many, many more future generations can thrive in this community.
Thank you all for your thoughtful and kind considerations on behalf of Jefferson County Residence, especially our most vulnerable.
Christine Kostechka