Park and Rec Update on Fields and Programs

The Orcas Island Park and Recreation District (OIPRD)  is looking ahead to spring sports, and concerned about weather-related overbooked fields.

Chaired by Bob Eagan, on Feb. 14  the OIPRD Board discussed the maintenance of school fields with respect to Island baseball and softball league (IBSL or “Little League”) activities. (The school playing fields adjoin Buck Park, which is still in the process of being acquired by the OIPRD from the Orcas Island School District.

OIPRD commissioner Vicki Vandermay, who is also the school district Athletic Director brought out that bookings will need to be adjusted due to rainouts; and that “priority scheduling belongs with the school,” as stated in the contract between the OIPRD and the school district.

Commissioner Martha Farish said that in reality, the school and OIPRD have a good reciprocal arrangement: the school shares Buck Park Fields and OIPRD uses school fields. Commissioner Ian Lister said that communication was the key, that the IBS League coaches are good at “sharing information.”

Executive Director’s Report

Marcia West, Executive Director of the OIPRD,  reported that this winter, there has been strong attendance at the adult evening activities and the Ducks Basketball. Tennis and Chess are both doing well with good attendance and successful lessons. The Open Gym should be continued on Friday and Saturday nights, but as there has been little to no attendance on Sundays, West recommends canceling the open gym on that day.

The Saturday Ski Bus program has one trip left, on March 2. West gave a shout out to Ian Lister who has “been a huge help on the trips.”

In discussing program management, West advised four categories of activities, and is drafting “packages” that include “a work plan for the program that details meeting times, locations, volunteer requirements, and checklist, marketing plan, and equipment needed. The package also needs a worksheet for establishing the fee schedule for the program. The third piece of the package needs to be a contract with the activity supervisor or lead volunteer.”

She has identified four categories of activities and is “in the process of drafting the startup packages, one template for each category. Similar to the scale used for hurricanes the higher the category the more complex the program.

“Category 1 – Individual sponsored programs – OIPRD provides space, registration, insurance, advertising. The individual is either charging an instructor fee or is fully committed to managing the program. Example – Boys Choir.

“Category 2 – Club Sports – OIPRD provides registration, rosters, advertising, and field scheduling. The club is responsible for organization, insurance, scheduling, and player contact. Examples: Baseball and sailing.

“Category 3 – OIPRD organized activities – OIPRD provides all including finding volunteers and finding and training an activity supervisor. The activities happen once or twice a week and may include an all day or weekend event. Examples: open gym and chess

“Category 4 – Events – happen once a year, day long, need multiple supporters, may need sponsors, needs coordination with the full island calendar. Examples: Skatepark Clean up.”

Currently, OIPRD is planning: baseball, soccer, running club, evening adult volleyball. Other possible ideas: bird watching (adult & seniors), bicycle group including care and maintenance or Volksmarch walking (all ages).

The skatepark cleanup scheduled for March 23.