Historically, the Vashon Park District’s commissioners worked cooperatively with special interest groups to enhance and improve park property for the benefit of the sponsoring group and the greater island community.  Projects that have followed this model to a good outcome include the equestrian course and covered arena at Paradise Ridge Park, the boathouse at Jenson Point, the renovation of many structures at Point Robinson Park and much work done successfully at BARC.

This long-standing and successful financial structure placed the burden for funding these community projects squarely on the sponsoring group. In every case, the park commissioners wisely decided to forestall construction until most of the money to pay for the project was in hand and then to work in conjunction with the sponsoring organization to undertake the project.

I propose that the park commissioners return to this tried and true method of working with key constituency groups to finish the VES fields project. I ask that no further capital outlays be made from general operating funds until the Vashon Youth Baseball and Softball organization and other VES fields users raise sufficient funds to cover the costs of such improvements that they may wish to make.

— CC Stone