Parks & Rec District Ready to Play Ball & Fix Park

Buck Park improvement bids  to be subject of Sept. 24 noon meeting

By Ken Brown
Community Journalist

OIPRD is getting things done! OIPRD is getting new equipment, supporting community football and soccer and making great improvements to Buck Park for the public.

And at the September 13 meeting of Orcas Island Park and Recreation District (OIPRD) meeting, it was clear that the transition for the new director, Marcia West, has been smooth and successful. OIPRD offices are at the rear of the first floor of the Funhouse Commons, where the batting cages were formerly.

Recent OIPRD purchases include:

• new practice jerseys for soccer,
•  two new First Aid kits for office use and for the field
• paint for lining the fields.

There are 82 players signed up for soccer at Buck Park. The high number of soccer players was the result of successful recruitment at the Funhouse Commons Back To School carnival on Saturday, Sept. 8. Currently there are nine teams and coaches, but more referees are needed.

Kings Youth Football League for middle school youth is also  up and running

The game schedules will be posted online at www.oiprd.org. The public is encouraged to show its support by cheering at their upcoming games

OIPRD is in the process of making improvements to the Buck Park playground, parking lot and the skateboard park.  The OIPRD board agreed on the need to move deliberately in order to spend the public’s money responsibly and wisely.

A Special Public Meeting for Buck Park Bid reviews will be held Monday, Sept. 24 from noon to 1 p.m. at OIPRD offices in the Funhouse Commons at 33 Peapatch Lane. All interested persons are invited.

New OIPRD Executive Director Marcia West met Ruthie Dougherty, the Field Director of San Juan County Land Bank, to discuss the eastern boundary of Buck Park. There is an encroachment but Dougherty approved of the current boundary. There was an unexpected  expenditure for the sprinkler heads in Buck Park, which is the responsibility of the Orcas Island School District.

An incident of vandalism was reported after unknown individuals spray painted, punctured the drywall and broke the lock on the equipment shed at Buck Park.

The OIPRD  board discussed the usefulness of the registration website Activenet. Complaints have included additional fees which have been removed and magazine solicitation.

The Athletic Solutions Committee reported that a meeting will occur between the OISD board and OIPRD board during which they would discuss the long term plans for athletics. OIPRD requested a letter from the schoolboard asking for OIPRD’s participation. This letter will also explain what they want in terms of collaboration.