Amazed
Dear Editor:
This past week I have been driving back and forth past the construction area for the new park – The Rotary Adventure Playground – at Terry’s Corner.
I have been amazed at the numbers of volunteers who were there every day, rain or shine. To see it transform from an unused field to a child’s dream has been wonderful.
On Saturday, I was finally able to go and help. I put my granddaughter in the play area, which was staffed by a wonderful group of caring parents and grandparents who were very well organized with crafts, story time, and games for the older kids.
I then headed off to the work site and was welcomed by friends and family.
To see the outpouring of volunteers was heartwarming. I guess that every organization on Camano Island was represented there!
Tools were loaned. Meals were catered. Professional artisans donated their skills.
What a communitybuilding event!
It really shows that in our community, our children really do come first.
Now the park will be a place where parents can browse at the shops while the kids play (attended, of course). It will be a place where people will want to return. What a drawing card for Camano Island! I can’t wait to take my grandchildren to the new Rotary Adventure Park!
Camano Island and Stanwood have really backed this park to the fullest.
But - isn’t there always a “but” - it seems that Island County as the “governing body” in the area has tried to put up all the obstacles that were possible, from fees added on top of other fees, and permits with more fees.
It appears that this volunteer committee, led by a very hardworking young community leader, heading up an entirely volunteer work force to build a park funded entirely through generous donations from the community, has had to jump through more hoops than normal.
I heard that Oak Harbor put in a similar park not too long ago, and Island County not only waived the fees, but also wrote them a sizeable check.
This really doesn’t seem fair to this taxpayer and Island County voter.
Does it seem fair to you? Maybe we need to rethink some things?
Shirley Swanson Camano Island
