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Washington residents have always gone to great lengths to support local endeavors whether it is following through with Five Points or on a smaller scale raising money for a state-of-the-art football complex at Babcook Field.
One area that I have seen — and let’s get this straight: no one asked me to write this column or suggested I do something about it, these are just my observations — where residents may not be helping as much as they can is with the Washington Park District.
I remember growing up in town and really only having the option of playing the mainstream sports — baseball, football, basketball and soccer — and I participated in most.
Now, the park district offers a plethora of sports for children of all ages, which now includes lacrosse, skills programs, dance, tumbling and also has programs for adults like flag football, softball and soccer.
Over the past few years the park district has been forced to do the best it could with limited resources despite the huge increase in population — not just overall, which went from 10,841 to 15,134 between 2000-10, but also in terms of the under-18 population, which skyrocketed from 2,821 to 4,122.
Not only are the ball fields at Oak Ridge Park and Washington Park in dire need of improvements, but community members have a real need — financially — for their children to be able to participate in programs offered.
That is where the Washington Park District Foundation should come in.
“There are several arms of the foundation and one is scholarships,” said Recreation Manager Kristy Howell. “A huge part of our requests and needs here are for those that can’t afford day camp, or for their kids to play ball.”
The park district is financially hand-tied up to a certain point by having to have the city’s residents pass a referendum to receive any tax money. The foundation was set up to allow the park district to be able to hold events or accept donations on behalf of scholarships for children or for long-term capital projects such as improving Oak Ridge Park and Washington Park.
“We have some needs, including the 30-50-year-old shelters that are starting to dilapidate and the ball fields at Oak Ridge Park and Washington Park need upgrades as well with the increasing population,” Howell said.
Well, the first event for the Park District Foundation was set up to be a good one that would let people know about the foundation and have some of the proceeds go toward the goal of improving community and quality and life for all Washington residents.
Washington residents have always gone to great lengths to support local endeavors whether it is following through with Five Points or on a smaller scale raising money for a state-of-the-art football complex at Babcook Field.
One area that I have seen — and let’s get this straight: no one asked me to write this column or suggested I do something about it, these are just my observations — where residents may not be helping as much as they can is with the Washington Park District.
I remember growing up in town and really only having the option of playing the mainstream sports — baseball, football, basketball and soccer — and I participated in most.
Now, the park district offers a plethora of sports for children of all ages, which now includes lacrosse, skills programs, dance, tumbling and also has programs for adults like flag football, softball and soccer.
Over the past few years the park district has been forced to do the best it could with limited resources despite the huge increase in population — not just overall, which went from 10,841 to 15,134 between 2000-10, but also in terms of the under-18 population, which skyrocketed from 2,821 to 4,122.
Not only are the ball fields at Oak Ridge Park and Washington Park in dire need of improvements, but community members have a real need — financially — for their children to be able to participate in programs offered.
That is where the Washington Park District Foundation should come in.
“There are several arms of the foundation and one is scholarships,” said Recreation Manager Kristy Howell. “A huge part of our requests and needs here are for those that can’t afford day camp, or for their kids to play ball.”
The park district is financially hand-tied up to a certain point by having to have the city’s residents pass a referendum to receive any tax money. The foundation was set up to allow the park district to be able to hold events or accept donations on behalf of scholarships for children or for long-term capital projects such as improving Oak Ridge Park and Washington Park.
“We have some needs, including the 30-50-year-old shelters that are starting to dilapidate and the ball fields at Oak Ridge Park and Washington Park need upgrades as well with the increasing population,” Howell said.
Well, the first event for the Park District Foundation was set up to be a good one that would let people know about the foundation and have some of the proceeds go toward the goal of improving community and quality and life for all Washington residents.
Miss America Teresa Scanlan was going to give a speech Monday night on behalf of the foundation, talking “inspiring communities” at the Caterpillar Performing Arts Center at Five Points.
The event was canceled late last week after ticket sales were considered much to low to continue as planned, according to Howell. There was an optional dinner beforehand for $35 per person, which also included admission to the speech, otherwise a ticket to the speech alone, was only $20.
Park district employees are unsure what the next fundraising event will be or when it will even occur.
Washingtonians have always done great things in support of other events or groups in town whether it is the Taste of Washington, Homecoming, Cherry Festival, St. Jude Run and many others, but something is amiss when it comes to supporting the park district.
I’ve only been the editor of the Times-Reporter since late December after a few years away from my hometown, but it’s something that I’ve noticed in my short time here — that people aren’t as appreciative of everything the park district offers.
I won’t assume that I know the reason for this, but it is time for residents to step up and support an organization that does a lot to support us.
The park district is already in the process of surveying residents about the possibility of upgrades at ball fields and parks around town, but none of it is possible without having the funds, obviously. These aren’t just upgrades that are considered luxuries, but ones that need to be made to better serve the ever-increasing population, which doesn’t look like it will slow down anytime soon.
Whether it is supporting a younger athlete through a scholarship, donating time by painting a shelter or donating money to see the much-anticipated dog park off of Legion Street become more of a reality, the park district needs just as much assistance as other, similar entities in town.
