A foundation is stirring to support the Vashon Park District in its efforts to launch major island capital projects, including the oft-called-for rebuild of Tramp Harbor Dock.

A group of islanders have revitalized the Vashon Parks Foundation, first started in 2017, with the goal of using public fundraising to get certain projects across the finish line and to help residents communicate with the district.

Former Park Recreation and Operations Manager Kelly Schmidt started the foundation in 2017 in collaboration with the Park District, the district’s executive director Elaine Ott-Rocheford said. But Schmidt unexpectedly and unfortunately had to leave the island, Ott-Rocheford said, and the organization went dormant.

In recent years, Foundation President Barb McMahon said, she’s spoken to Ott-Rocheford about revitalizing the foundation, which has now kicked into gear and already begun fundraising.

The foundation won’t change or subsidize the basic duties of the Park District, McMahon and Ott-Rocheford said. which include maintaining their nearly 20 facilities and properties.

But the foundation can promote Park District projects and organize residents in raising tax-deductible donations to help the Park District pick up grant applications, many of which require matching contributions. In that way, the organizers said, the community can help bridge the gap for major projects in their neighborhood that the Park Districts agrees should happen.

“We’re capital-project focused,” said Lisa Chambers, vice chair of the foundation. “We’re not about helping to refund replacing the floor in the lighthouse (which would fall under operating costs). We’re not about funneling in extra money … to the Park District. … We’re specifically identifying projects that the community has an interest in.”

The foundation, for instance, has already helped to raise thousands of dollars for view clearing at Inspiration Point, a 0.9 acre viewpoint and Park District property south of Burton along Vashon Highway. It overlooks Quartermaster Harbor and provides views of Mount Rainier, though trees have grown over the years to obscure this view.

Last year, the Southend Community Club improved the area through volunteer weeding, cleaning and planting. The Foundation raised money to improve the view, which would include hiring a professional forester to limb some fir trees and top some maple trees in the area; it would not be a “major tree removal project,” according to the foundation.

The project, funded entirely through donations, will cost $30,000, Ott-Rocheford said — $20,000 for the view clearing and another $10,000 for signage. The Park District already plans to foot the rest of the bill for the view clearing, she said, and the foundation is continuing to fundraise for the signage.

“It’s not a big, big project, but there’s a lot of memories [around Inspiration Point],” McMahon said.

Other priority projects on the Foundation’s radar include improvements to the Park District swimming pool and the eventual rebuilding of the Tramp Harbor dock.

“It’s really important to grant agencies to see that the community kind of has some skin in the game,” Ott-Rocheford said. “Outside of of taxpayer dollars, they like to see contributions from the community directly for the project.”

Their goal is not to debate project ideas, and they plan to follow the Park District’s lead: “We don’t kick into gear until they’ve approved a project and asked for our support,” McMahon said.

Nor is their aim to do all the work for community groups that want to raise money.

“For instance, we’re probably not going to be putting on a gala or doing significant large-scale fundraising campaigns. But if a community group wants to do a particular project or campaign we may support it financially,” Chambers said.

Why is a foundation needed when islanders’ property taxes already power the Park District?

To answer that question, foundation members say, consider the financial realities of the district.

Around four-fifths of the Park District’s funding comes from a property tax levy voted on every four years. The remaining direct revenue to the district comes from user fees. Altogether, the revenue pays for basic services such as facilities maintenance, operations and recreational programs across its 16 properties, plus small capital improvements.

Major capital projects including the Tramp Harbor Dock rebuild need more funding, including cash from government grants, community donations and occasionally voter-approved bonds, according to the foundation.

“We are looking to see — what does the park district need help on?” McMahon said. “They’re getting a lot of grants for these things, but grants won’t cover everything. So we’re also looking to see where’s the passion in the community? We’re not driving something on our own, but we follow the lead of the community’s interests.”

Ott-Rocheford compared it to user fees the district already charges. Most uses of the parks — such as picnics, taking walks and playing on playgrounds — are free and covered by property taxes. More specific uses, such as field rentals by sporting groups, are charged fees. Similarly, she said, major and specific projects benefit from financial support from the communities most invested in seeing them succeed.

Their relationship will also require financial hygiene between the two organizations. Ott-Rocheford said the money will only arrive in the hands of the Park District for the specific use it’s raised for, and only if that project is happening.

“They are stewards of that money, and it doesn’t come to us unless that project is a reality,” she said.

“This is a really close partnership, with clear boundaries,” McMahon said. “We have a clear operating agreement about those boundaries.”

The foundation is led by a volunteer working board of McMahon, Chambers, Assistant Chair Danielle Hinz, Treasurer Courtney Cain, Secretary Marie Bradley, Kell Christophersen and Keith Prior, VPD board member liaison.

Learn more about the foundation by visiting vashonparksfoundation.org. Also, the Park District will hold two board meetings in person at the Ober Park Administration building and via Zoom at 7 p.m. on Nov. 12 and 26 to discuss the district’s 2025 budget. Learn more about those meetings by visiting vashonparks.org/board-and-board-meetings.

The Beachcomber will cover more news with the Vashon Park District in next week’s edition.