Parks & Rec board has dreams

March 31, 2011
Hello, I would like to expand on the article written in last week’s Bonners Ferry Herald regarding the newly formed Parks and Recreation board.

When the Parks and Recreation board was disbanded and placed under the supervision of the fair board it seemed like a no brainer. It has often puzzled many of us why there were two separate entities maintaining and operating the “fairgrounds."

 Let me tell you as a member of that fair board, it became very clear quickly. We arrived at a place where it was obvious that the responsibilities were too great for one board to handle. We were unable to do either area justice. We decided that it was time to return our focus to the county fair and the buildings and grounds associated with the fair.

We requested assistance from the commissioners in establishing a new board. The idea of a new Parks and Recreation board was taken very seriously by everyone involved. Everyone on the the new board submitted a letter detailing what he or she could offer the new board and why they wanted to be a part of it.

I am including this detail because I want everyone to know that each and every member of this board has spent some time thinking about why we are here.

We are dedicated to making a difference in the community we live in. The parks and rec sports program, while a big part of what we do, is not all we are about.

We are very excited to make the fairgrounds as well as the park across the river something to be proud of and a place that can be enjoyed by everyone.

We have dreams of many improvements and welcome your ideas. Everything that we are doing is for you and your families.

I have heard it said that there are more important things to worry about than t-ball or tennis or playgrounds or parks or baseball.

I agree that there are a lot of very important things for all of us to worry about, however these things are important, too.

It is so exciting to consider all of the possibilities out there. The last two years have been a struggle as one board tried to do everything. We are now in that place of kind of reinventing the wheel. We are seven people taking on the task, and happy to do it.

Thank you
Pam Copeland
Chair
Boundary County Parks and Recreation Board