HomeMy WebLinkAbout032326 email - Parks and Recreation Public CommentALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
County Commissioners,
Since we were limited to one minute this morning including my full comment below:
Morning, my comment is in regard to the Parks and Rec department cuts being discussed later this morning.
First, Memorial Field and the Uptown Rec Center and Playground are central facilities to the vitality of our historic business districts. The economic impact of having these facilities
operational extends wide and deep. They draw people to these areas, provide good quality of life for those living in the community, and when open and cared for are a center point to
a vibrant experience. They support key activities such as the Jefferson County Farmers Market, senior activities, and many others. They simply cannot be shuttered and left to become
eyesores. Look to the 2022 PROS report outlining many more reasons simply closing should not be the primary option.
Second, and this is more personal, eliminating the youth sports program will have many many years of negative impact. As a youth sports volunteer coach and parent of kids who participate
in youth sports I have seen first hand the important developmental and social impact that participating in rec leagues has on young people. In addition, the Parks and Rec staff who
work tirelessly work to support the programs. We as a community cannot continue to de-prioritize youth opportunities. If we are going to create better financial health for the county
and create a sustainable ecosystem in Jefferson County, we must ensure that we make this area an attractive place for families and young people. Directly cutting Memorial Field, the
Rec Center, and the Rec programs would be a very loud statement against that segment of our community that benefits most from these activities.
I empathize with the Commission that these aren’t easy discussions for you to be having but as owners of these facilities and programs it is your responsibility to prioritize finding
viable, sustainable long term solutions to keep them available to the community which should include divesting to better equipped operators. For over 10 years it has been known that
the County needed a better Parks and Rec operating model and now you’re up against a wall.
I hope that the short-term funding gap can be filled through the community fundraising campaign. I encourage better public communication through the process and very clearly understand
the future pathway for sustaining these services and other Parks & Rec services around the County.
Thanks for the opportunity to comment on this issue.
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Natalie Maitland | Executive Director
Port Townsend Main Street
she / her / hers
211 Taylor Street, Suite #3
Port Townsend, WA 98368
360.385.7911 (O) / 360.524.4134 (C)
Mission to preserve, promote, and enhance our historic business districts.
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