The Vashon Park District (VPD) levy comes up for a vote every four years and will be on the November 5 ballot. Ballots will arrive in mid-October and are due November 5^th.
 
The VPD’s 18 parks and facilities (524 acres) are used by thousands of islanders. VPD Parks and facilities include: VES & Agren Fields - Vashon Pool - Ober Park - Pt. Robinson - Village Green - Paradise Ridge - BARC - Fisher Pond - Jensen Point – and more! The VPD sponsors or manages numerous community events, such as Picnics in the Park, Low Tide Festival, Kite Day, Strawberry Festival, and Concerts in the Park.
 
The VPD also provides after-hour access to Vashon School District facilities, including playing fields, gyms and meeting rooms. Drama Dock rehearses in VPD facilities, and the Farmer’s Market is held at the Village Green – a VPD park.
 
The VPD is funded by this levy, and unless it receives 60% voter approval, it will not have the resources to exist – which means the organization will have no choice but to shut down operations and access to its properties, programs and events.
 
None-passage would affect the operation of youth sports programs, including: soccer, lacrosse, swimming, crew, baseball, skateboarding, horseback riding and softball.
 
Details on the levy can be found below, or at www.vashonparks.org. If you have questions, please contact VPD Executive Director Elaine Ott-Rocheford at 206-463-9602 or eott@vashonparks.org
 
Vashon Park District Levy – Get the Facts
 

• This is not an additional levy – it will replace the existing levy, which expires at the end of 2019.

• The current levy was voter approved in 2015 at 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. 

• The new levy will fund our parks for 4 years (2020- 2023) and is asking for 45 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value - less than $19 per month for a property assessed at $500,000.

• The levy funds are used 100% on Vashon. The Vashon Park District does not receive money from King County for operations, nor will they or the Vashon Island Land Trust take over if this levy doesn’t pass.

• The Vashon Park District is 100% debt free and recently received a positive review from the Washington State Auditor’s Office
• Although they are both listed as Proposition 1 as required by King County Elections, the VPD Levy and the Hospital District Levy are completely separate. This is not an either or situation – they can co-exist.

• Athletic fields for soccer, softball, baseball, and lacrosse
• Youth programming for swimming, skateboarding, sailing, and skiing
• A year round community pool for lessons, lap swim, family swim, water aerobics, and swim team
• Access to the waterfront, picnic sites, and walking trails at Lisabeula, Point Robinson, Fisher Pond, Jensen Point, Burton Acres, and Wingehaven
• BARC - skate, BMX and disc golf
• Paradise Ridge equestrian facilities and trails
• Access to School District fields, gymnasiums, weight room and meeting facilities
• Community events: picnics, outdoor films, trail stories, Low Tide Festival, Kite Day, Concerts in the Park
• Rental facilities at Point Robinson and Fern Cove

• Ober Park roof replacement and playground renovations
• Replacement of two 20-year-old maintenance vehicles
• Vashon Pool repairs (tile, lighting, painting, deck)
• Point Robinson Lighthouse stairwell and decking modifications - road and parking lot repairs
• Fern Cove rental property repairs (this is a revenue generator for VPD)

 
Questions Answered
 
What happens if the levy fails again in November?
VPD will lay off staff and close parks and facilities. The VPD will be allowed two more attempts to pass a levy in 2020. If one passes, funding will start again in 2021. In the meantime, VPD parks and facilities would remain closed for at least a year.
 
If the Park District levy fails, will King County or the Vashon Island Land Trust take over?
No. If VPD were to dissolve, the District can name a successor taxing district, but King County has stated they would be unlikely to accept it. The Vashon Island Land Trust is not a taxing district and, therefore, could not take over VPD.
 
King County Parks ran a levy ballot measure in August, 2019. Does VPD receive funds from the King County Parks levy?
No. The VPD is a separate, stand-alone Park District and receives zero funding from King County and the State for maintenance and operations.
 
Is there room for both the newly proposed Hospital District and the Park District?
Yes, a Hospital District and Park District can co-exist under the present tax structure allowances. For more information about rate effects: http://www.vashonbeachcomber.com/news/park-hospital-districts-could-coexist/
 
Does the Vashon Park District have millions in the bank?
No. VPD’s policy is to maintain a reserve of $400,000 at the end of the year to manage cash flow. Prior to establishing this reserve, VPD utilized a line of credit, which cost taxpayers in interest payments and was highly frowned upon by the Washington State Auditor’s Office. The District’s reserve policy also serves as an emergency fund. All other funds go towards programming, operations, and maintenance.
 
Can grants pay for the Park District’s capital improvement needs?
VPD has successfully obtained grants for capital improvement projects, but grants do not cover everything. Grants are highly competitive and usually require matching funds, which comes from levy dollars. Capital projects often require permits and engineering services -- costs that are not covered by grants. Grants are not available for maintenance-related needs such as structural repairs and equipment purchases.
 
Is it true that facilities such as the skate park and community swimming pool can be funded with private money rather than the Park District?
While VPD is very grateful for the generous fundraising efforts of those user groups, we cannot rely on private funds to operate and maintain those facilities.
 
Are Park District Employees Paid a Living Wage?
In 2018 and 2019, employees cumulatively received a 19.5% wage increase in response to challenges in maintaining and recruiting staff due to uncompetitive wages (27.3% below industry) and cost of living. Moving forward, there are no planned increases other than cost of living. VPD wages are still 10% lower than the average for same-size park agencies in the Puget Sound region. As a point of comparison, in September 2019, the maintenance staff at the Vashon Island School District will receive an 18% wage increase to be distributed over the next 3 years. In 2018, VPD wages were 11.6% below like positions at the School District.
 
Is there anything in it for me? I don’t use the parks.
Do you attend after-hour meetings at the School District? VPD staff provides after-hour access to the School District facilities. Do you live next to and enjoy undeveloped open space around you? VPD owns 524 acres of property on Vashon. Visitors to Vashon parks, lodging facilities, and athletic events provide income to island businesses. You may not use the parks and facilities, but it is quite likely your life is touched by the presence of the VPD.