On Saturday, April 21, I participated in Park Appreciation Day at Midtown Park. Three deserving city of Bonney Lake employees, Mary Barcom, Dana Fugere and H. D. Messinger received the Robert Ceola Memorial Arbor Day Award for their work in our city parks above and beyond their 8 hour a day job. From the young Daisy Troup to older participants like myself, we teamed up to work on cleaning up litter on the many trails through the forest. Then, some of us from Beautify Bonney Lake went over to downtown and did litter patrol and weeded around street trees on Main Street.

Is that all there is? One day a year we recognize parks? There are many great events planned over the summer for all ages at our parks and it is FREE. Check out the city website. But is it enough?

For years I have wished and worked for more parks, trails and a community center. We came close to passing a park bond in 2005. We were teased with a YMCA a few years ago. We keep waiting for a ribbon cutting on the Fennel Creek Trail. Parks seem to be in a state of flux in this city.  Community services was dissolved last year and the employees absorbed into public works and the executive staff. The park board at present has many new members.

Bonney Lake has many fine parks, but is lacking in trails and some ball fields and soccer fields based on our population. We have no community center or YMCA. We have no swimming pool. Should museums and public art be part of parks? How can these community improvements be funded and managed? Donations? Corporate sponsors? Non-profits pay fees?  Pay to play? A park district? A park bond? Or throw it to the luck of a winning Mega Million ticket (just kidding)?

If you would like to see additional parks or amenities in our city, you have an opportunity to make your voice heard at the Park Summit, to be held Monday, May 7 at 6:00 PM at the Justice Center at 9002 Main Street. Bring your creative ideas for funding and management of parks in our city. Parks make a city livable, just like the right balance of commerce, transportation, utilities, nice housing and good schools. Your input is needed. Please attend.

Laurie Carter

Former Bonney Lake Councilmember