A Note of Gratitude

May 7, 2026 marks my final meeting as a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC), and what a journey it has been!

The PRC was established in July 2019. Prior to the commission, community members could attend informal monthly subcommittee meetings (at the very early hour of 7:30 am!) where staff would brief a city council member on parks and recreation updates. Those meetings became a space where passionate residents could speak up about things they cared about — from permission to display advertisements at Island Crest Park’s ball fields to support the MIHS boys baseball team, to advocating for an outdoor preschool program at Luther Burbank, to pushing for changes in field use policy. As attendance grew, the city recognized the need for a more formal, documented way for the community to engage with the Parks and Recreation Department — and the PRC was born.

I was one of those regulars showing up at 7:30 am. I got involved out of frustration with field use allocation but quickly discovered something unexpected: I genuinely loved learning how the department worked — the projects in progress, the events being planned, and how the community center functions.

When the PRC was announced, I jumped at the chance to be one of its seven founding members. Over the past seven years, we’ve tackled a wide range of meaningful projects, including:

• Luther Burbank waterfront site plan

• Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan (PROS)

• Mercerdale Park renovation

• Aubrey Davis Park path update

• Bike track at Dragon Park

• New pickleball courts at Luther Burbank Park

• KCLS library liaison

• Updated policy guidelines for the Community Center, Pea Patch, and field space rentals

• Deane’s Children’s Park site plan

• and so much more

It has been a true privilege to work alongside my fellow commissioners and to build lasting relationships with city staff. Mercer Islanders are passionate about their parks, and we are so fortunate to have a forum where every voice has the chance to be heard.

As much as I’ve loved every moment, commissioners are limited to two terms, so my time on the PRC has come to a close. But if you’re looking for a meaningful way to get involved on the island, I’d wholeheartedly encourage you to apply for one of the two open positions. It’s a wonderful opportunity to give back to the community we all love!

Editor's note: Click here by May 8 to volunteer to serve on a city Board or Commission. A total of 9 spaces are open on the Arts Council, the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Utility Board, and the Open Space Conservancy Trust.