Petition circulates to form Orcas Park and Recreation District

Local supporters of forming a recreation district for Orcas Island have 18 days to sign up at least 600 voters on a petition. If, by July 27, they have succeeded in their effort, county government will place on the November ballot a proposition to form such a district.

The petition is currently available at the Orcas Golf Course, the Olga Store, the Farmer’s Market on Saturdays and will be at Olga Daze on Saturday, July 18.

The petition effort has arisen from the efforts of a group of local citizens and parents. If the petition succeeds, and voters approve the formation of an Orcas recreation district, then five elected commissioners will work with the community to form a strategic plan and build a budget, which will then go to the voters to decide whether to approve or reject.

The petition reads:

“We, the undersigned voters who reside on Orcas Island, petition the San Juan County Council to fix the boundaries of a park and recreation district to be called Orcas Island Park and Recreation District (“Orcas Rec”) and submit a proposition to establish the district to the voters of the proposed district and to call for the election of the initial fie park and recreation commissioners.

Pursuant to RCW 36.69.010, the object of the district to so provide leisure time activities and facilities and recreational facilities of a non-profit nature as a public service to the residents of Orcas Island. The district will be conducive to the public welfare and convenience and it will be a benefit to the people of Orcas Island. “

The petition goes on to state the legal boundaries of the district, which is “all of Orcas Island Washington… in San Juan County, Washington.”

One of the petition organizers, Kevin O’Brien, has said the purpose of the effort is “to benefit the kids in the community, by simply establishing an organization with five commissioners to plan and budget for a levy that is fiscally responsible and sustainable.”

“A healthy community is not just economically strong — does it come together and go outside of our houses to talk, play and create together? Getting outside with families is a sign of a strong community.

“Kids are a vital part of a healthy community. The Orcas Rec [park and recreation district] provides activities that make kids run around, and teached interaction, sportsmanship, teamwork — child play is really important.

“There are different levels of parenting for all sorts of reasons — time, instinct, knowledge,” says O’Brien. “What are you going to do? Put up boundaries and say, ‘I’ve got mine and that’s the way it is’?”

The petitions will be available for signing at a booth at the Saturday Market in Eastsound for the next few weeks.

Questions about the petition may be sent to Kevin or Nancy O’Brien at PO Box 1722, Eastsound WA 98245. 376-4858.