Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor | Volunteers turn out to support PenMet Parks

Each spring, PenMet hosts a Park Appreciation Day. In 2024, we had 75 individuals who helped us out. Fast forward to this year, and that number jumped to over 175 individuals who spent a Saturday afternoon in May (and some who continue to do it monthly) helping the park district with volunteer tasks around five PenMet parks (Sehmel, Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit, Rotary Bark Park, McCormick Forest, and the Wollochet Estuary).

They assisted with spreading bark mulch in the Master Gardeners area and planted over 1,000 hostas, ferns, camas, pansies, and other plants. Up at Rotary Bark Park & McCormick Forest, approximately 3 miles of trails were trimmed back and maintained. There was also invasive brush removal at Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit and Wollochet Estuary (a true hidden gem out of our parks, in my opinion). Some of the organizations that participated included members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a few local Girl Scout troops, and employees of Washington Patriot Construction and Cool Vibes Ice Cream. Organizations like these help our community continue to be a vibrant place to live, work, and play.

Seeing a 133% increase in volunteer attendance shows me how much the community cares about the PenMet Park District and what we’re doing. From little kids to elderly adults, folks from all walks of life pitched in to show their appreciation for parks, and I personally am appreciative of them spending their time with us.

On July 1st, PenMet’s new Recreation Center off 14th Ave will be open 7 days a week, featuring a 58,000 square foot indoor recreation facility, mini golf, an extension of the Cushman Trail, and more. This facility had a build price of $31.6 million. Of that, $11.6 million was funded by capital reserves from the 2017 Levy, and $16 million was funded by the board prior to me joining by an LTGO Bond (councilmanic bond). That left a $4 million capital campaign to be raised by the community.

To date, we have raised just over $3.45 million of that. Approximately half of that $3.45 million came from state grants and 2023 Washington Legislative appropriations (Special thanks to the 26th Legislators at the time, Rep. Michelle Caldier, Fmr. Rep. Spencer Hutchins, and Fmr. State Sen. Emily Randal for helping secure that!). The remaining funds came from approximately 40 individuals, non-profits, and businesses in the area. We still have just over $500,000 to raise (a few naming options are still available as well), I am confident we will get there with continued support from the community.

I believe seeing our capital campaign do so well on the private side of things shows how much the majority of our community supports PenMet and what we’re doing to better the lives of those in the PenMet Park District. If you’re interested in learning more about the capital campaign, feel free to visit the website, or reach out to me by email or phone, and I will let you know more!

Billy Sehmel

Fox Island

PenMet Parks Commissioner