First of all, thank you to Rebecca Giles and her staff, who have done a tremendous job of operating the Sumner/Bonney Lake Recreation Department (RD) for years. The cities of Sumner, Bonney Lake and Sumner School District have teamed up to share the costs of the RD, run by the school district. The last interlocal agreement passed by the Bonney Lake City Council was Jan. 25, 2011, Resolution 2094. It expired Dec. 31, 2012. It is indicated on page 180 of the current city of Bonney Lake budget that the city has set aside monies to share the cost of the program. Discussion of a future interlocal agreement is not showing on the city council agenda at this time.

The RD charges fees for programs, is subsidized by the two cities, uses school district facilities to run the program. They offer scholarships. They offer a diverse range of classes and sports programs for all ages and abilities on a shoe string budget. They run mean and lean.

The fifth annual Princess Tea & Dessert program was sold out. There were also four other classes going on at the same time as the Princess event held at Lakeridge Middle School. Note that RD serves the area only within the school district boundaries, but people residing outside the district can participate with an additional fee. The RD utilizes school district facilities. School district events take priority over other rental uses of facilities. Hence the need for ball fields and community gathering areas other than school facilities is a need when there are multiple events at the same time. For example, the popular ongoing dog obedience classes were at Miller Gym, a school district facility on the Daffodil Elementary School grounds the same Saturday as the princess event. And ski lessons were also offered the same day. I do not speak for the RD, only glowingly about what they accomplish. If you are interested in seeing what programs are available, visit the Sumner School District website, like I did. In my opinion, the RD is a prime example of government agencies coming together to maximize the use of school facilities and funds for a wide range of programs for all.

A community center is but one of the possibilities if a Metropolitan Park District (MPD) is approved by the voters. There is a menu of possible projects listed on the city of Bonney Lake website. There is a link on the home page called “Proposed Park District.” There is a calculator to see how much you would pay.

If you are interested in the positive aspects of having more parks, trails, a sports complex and/or community center within our city limits of Bonney Lake, visit www.BLParks.org, www.YESMPD.com or like us on Facebook at Bonney Lake Metropolitan Park District.

Only the voters can decide on April 23 if attending princess teas, walking on trails, watching their kids enjoying playing soccer on a sports complex field or gathering at a community center for a city event is worth paying a little more in taxes to support. Each household needs to check their budget and make that decision for their best interest. Indicators are that we are heading out of this recession. By state law, the taxing amount on and MPD is capped and it allows for capital funding in addition to operations and maintenance. There are options of who can be the commissioners of the MPD and provisions for dissolution. It allows flexibility of funding options.

Please consider ending this forever park deficit and vote yes MPD.