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ISLAND REC

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Zehner appointed to Island Rec Board

posted 07/30/05
Scott Zehner was chosen by the Island Rec Board to replace Kathryn Dernham. She resigned because she is moving from the island. Zehner was one of two applicants. He served as the volunteer project manager for Island Rec for the recent renovation of the family park. Zehner is a self-employed contractor and lives here with his wife Tori and twin sons.

Island Rec's Board of Commissioners meets at 5pm, the first and third Thursday of every month in Island Rec's office at 580 Guard Street. The public is encouraged to attend.

Grand Opening and dedication of family park

posted 03/22/05
Children slid, swung, climbed and spun on the colorful playground equipment at renovated Family Park Playground Monday afternoon (March 21, 2005). The Grand Re-Opening of the park, located on the San Juan County Fairgrounds, attracted dozens of island families and friends.

Almost two years ago, Denice Brown, showed the rest of the Island Rec Board her idea to redo the playground. A donation from the Confidence Foundation helped make the dream a reality. Last year, on a cold November afternoon, volunteers assembled the new equipment.

Brown thanked The Confidence Foundation for providing a major portion of the funding, Scott Zehner for volunteering as construction manager, Browne's Home Center for contribution of goods and services, Darren Olshefsky and Harbor Rental for volunteering equipment operation, Bill McKay and Allpro Concrete Pumping for donating concrete pumping services.

Paul and Andrea Knapik and Shelly Borahan of Herb's Tavern provided lunch, Steve and Irene Herring of San Juan Coffee Roasting Company provided coffee, Monica Van Appel at Rocky Bay Cafe provided donuts and Market Place provided water for the November work session.

The Kiwanis Club provided refreshments for the March 22 celebration. Radio Shack, San Juan Fitness, the Big Store and Island Rec provided door prizes.

Also thanked were Mike Erickson, John Kulseth, Chris Nelson, John Pachuta, John Boyd, Brad Fincher, Vic Woodward, Jay Ott, Kim Wickham, Greg Taylor, Tom Williamson, Cere DeMuth, Shannon Wilson, Dan Seaton and the sheriff's work crew, Christine Miller, Shel Beldsoe and the San Juan County Fair Board.

New board member for Island Rec

posted 12/24/04
Kathryn Dernham Appointed to Island Rec's Board of Commissioners Kathryn Dernham was sworn in on December 2, 2004 as Commissioner of San Juan Island Park and Recreation District Board to the position vacated by Roberta Crist. A five-person elected board of commissioners governs this park and recreation district locally known as Island Rec. All persons serving on the board must be registered voters on San Juan Island. Dernham's appointment is valid till the November election in 2005. Her position and the positions occupied by Ralph Hahn and Jim Ricks will be on the November ballot.

Dernham is employed as by the County Prosecuting Attorney's Office and by San Juan Island Fitness as an aerobics and yoga instructor. She also serves on the board of the San Juan Island Community Foundation. Dernham has long been an admirer of Island Rec and believes that Island Rec needs to play a strong role in creating and maintaining a healthy community for young and old.

Island Rec's Board of Commissioners meets at 5 pm, the first and third Thursday of every month in Island Rec's office at 580 Guard Street. The public is encouraged to attend.

INFORMATION

Island Rec, (San Juan Island Park and Recreation District) offers year round recreation programs for children and adults. In addition to daily recreational activities Island Rec organizes many of San Juan Islands popular community events including the Children's Festival; 8.8k Loop Run; Jon Pettingill Memorial Triathlon, Teen Halloween Party and Music on the Lawn.

Currently Island Rec is seeking a volunteer to work in our office approximately two hours a week to assist with copying, newspaper clippings and posting flyers. Volunteers are needed for specials events throughout the year.

For more information and our current program information go to www.islandrec.org or call 378-4953.

Progress on playground

Photos contributed by Island Rec

posted 12/02/04
Seventeen people helped assemble the new playground equipment at Island Rec's Family Park at the fairgrounds on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2004. The surface material is being applied this week. The revised date for the reopening of the park is Dec. 10, 2004.


Playground at fairgrounds closes Nov. 1- Dec. 1

posted 10/28/04
The playground located on the fairgrounds, known as the Family Park will be closed for renovations beginning November 1, 2004. The renovation will begin with removal of the composite structure in the middle of the oval, the monkey bars, the pedestal grill and pea gravel. The picnic pavilion and grill, swing set and concrete seal will remain.

On November 20, 12 community volunteers are needed to install the new equipment. This volunteer corps will work under the direction of Gary Max, of SiteLines Park and Playground Products. Additional volunteers are needed before and after the installation date to prepare the site and to place the surfacing.

The playground should reopen by Dec. 1. To volunteer call Island Rec Board Commissioner Denice Brown at 378-9641.

Volunteers needed to transform family park

Written By Natalie, Chas, Pearl and Trefor
of Friday Harbor High School Leadership Class

posted 09/30/04
In early 2003 Island Rec.'s Board had concerns about the conditions of the playground located at the fairgrounds. Mary Lou Iverson a professional playground safety consultant was hired to perform a nationally standard safety audit. The audit indicated that the playground was not in compliance in most of areas of playground safety.

In June of 2003, under the direction of the Island Rec Board, Board Commissioner Denice Brown formed a committee to help decide what changes to the park would be most beneficial to the greatest number of users. The committee members led by Denice were Islanders, Winnie Brumsickle, Cere Demuth, Nancy Lindenberg, Piet Visser, Kim Wickman and Shannon Wilson with assistance from Mary Lou Iverson.The committees job was to consider the following factors:

  • ages of the users of the current playground

  • number of the daily and weekly visitors to the playground

  • features of the playground that has the most use

  • how children get to and from the playground

  • other playgrounds on the island

  • dimensions of available space

  • quality and manufacturing standards of new equipment.

The new plan for the playground is as follows. The balance beam will be removed and replaced, there will be two infant swings were the bay of bars were at, standing grill will be removed, adding two benches and a picnic table, resurface pea gravel areas with engineered wood fiber, add composite play structure and toddler ride-ons toys.

Tentatively, the park will be closed from October 11, 2004 to November 25, 2004. Island Rec needs volunteers and/or donated equipment. They also need a bid on the pea gravel and scrap aluminum excavation. If you would like to help please call Island Rec at 378-4953.

Island Rec seeking new board member

posted 10/13/04
San Juan Island Park and Recreation Commission is soliciting letters of interest from residents who may wish to serve on the Commission. The appointment will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Commissioner Roberta Crist. The appointment will expire December 31st, 2005. Letters of interest may be directed to Commission Chair Denice Brown in care of Island Rec at PO Box 1946, Friday Harbor, WA 98250 or delivered to the Island Rec office at 580 Guard Street.

The San Juan Island Park & Recreation Commission is a five member elected Commission responsible for the direction of the San Juan Island Park and Recreation District, more commonly known as Island Rec. Commissioners must be eligible to vote and a resident of San Juan Island.

The Commission meets on the first and third Thursday of every month at 5:00 pm in the Island Rec office. Additionally, Commissioners volunteer many hours through out the year at the various programs offered by Island Rec.

If you are interested in serving the community as a member of the Commission, please submit a letter of interest. To learn more about serving on the Commission, drop by the office to meet Director Sally Kerr, attend a commission meeting or visit with one of the current commissioners - Denice Brown, Bill Cumming, Ralph Hahn and Jim Ricks.

Crist along with her husband Clinton Crist residents of San Juan Island for over 30 years, are relocating to Stevenson Washington. Crist has served as an Island Rec commissioner for the past 10 years. Her service to the community has been extensive. It has included 10 years she as president of Little League; a docent for San Juan Historical Museum and was a volunteer Italian teacher at the High School.

"I have had the privilege or working with the best of this community", Crist said.

Jim Ricks appointed to Island Rec's Board

posted 05/11/04
Jim Ricks will replace Alan Marriner as an Island Rec Commissioner. Marriner resigned from Island Rec's board when he accepted a job with the City of Bellingham earlier this year. Ricks will serve out Marriner's term through 2005.

Ricks is no stranger to public service or parks and recreation. He has previously served on the Board of San Juan County Parks and the Board of Equalization. He currently works for the County Sheriff as Enhanced 911 Coordinator along with being employed by the Hospital District as a paramedic, a job he has done for 24 years. Ricks has worked closely with Island Rec in the past as he was instrumental in the formation and construction of the Skate Park.

"I am delighted that Jim has been appointed to this Board. With his passion for public service and his vision for parks and recreation, he will serve the residents of San Juan Island well," said Island Rec Recreation Director Sally Kerr.

Ricks has been a resident of San Juan Island since 1973. He is married to Betsy Dayton and has two teenage children, Luie and Mona.

Island Rec's Board of Commissioners meets at 5 pm, the first and third Thursday of every month in Island Rec's office at 580 Guard Street in Friday Harbor. The public is encouraged to attend.

More information about Island Rec is available on islandrec.org.

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