If you pack it in, pack it out | LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Published 7:31 am Friday, March 4, 2011
To the editor:
Many folks are seeing signs at local county parks alerting users that trash will no longer be hauled away starting in March. Pack it in — pack it out! This is due to the 2011 budget cuts to parks maintenance, reducing the one parks staff person on Whidbey to part-time status.
I wish things were different. But when faced with difficult budget choices, the limited county discretionary revenue was prioritized for staffing programs which could not be performed by volunteers. This is an opportunity for our community to step in and lend a hand during these lean times.
Here are a few ways to help:
• Individual park users should prepare to pack out whatever they bring and encourage others to do the same;
• Local groups can sign up with the Adopt-a-Park Program, Joantha Guthrie, project manager (JoanthaG@co.island.wa.us, 360-679-7331);
• Beach clean up is coordinated through WSU Waste Wise, Janet Hall, program manager (halljn@wsu.edu, 360-678-7974);
• Donations can be made directly to Island County Parks Department (PO Box 5000, Coupeville, WA 98239).
Thankfully, many citizens are already stepping up to protect these precious public assets and to preserve the beauty of our parks. Please join in.
Just to be clear, South Whidbey Parks & Recreation is a separate entity from county park services. It maintains the three fresh- water lake accesses, the Maxwelton Road sports complex and the Trustland Trails.
Most other park properties on South Whidbey are the property of Island County — including Double Bluff Beach, Dan Porter Park in Clinton, Dave Mackie Park at Maxwelton, Freeland Park, Mutiny Bay Beach, Saratoga Woods and Putney Woods. Trash at several of these parks is already collected by generous volunteer groups who would welcome your support. The local off-leash organization FETCH donates the dog- poop bags. It would appreciate your support at well.
We can get through these challenges best by pulling together.
Helen Price Johnson
Island County Commissioner
