Oak Harbor parks updates: Smith Park nominated for state register, $100K maintenance grant underway and field-use fee to rise 50 cents
January 17, 2026 | Oak Harbor, Island County, Washington
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Staff provided a series of operational updates covering grants, hiring, field fees and community programs.
On preservation, staff said the Washington State Advisory Council on Historic Preservation met on Sept. 1 and "nominated unanimously, to accept Smith Park for listing on the the register." Staff said the board will likely present the formal notice to the city council when the letter arrives.
On funding, staff reported a $100,000 local park maintenance grant application and the planned redirection of $45,000 from a restoration allocation to support the project. A separate Windjammer-related funding package and an earmark discussed for a Jerome parking lot were also mentioned as ongoing funding efforts.
Staff gave personnel updates: interviews are underway for a park supervisor position, and openings are expected for two maintenance positions and a recreation coordinator; the department will also advertise for an assistant harbor master.
On fees, staff said updates to the field-use agreement include increasing the per-participant fee from $8.50 to $9.00 (a 50-cent change) to improve cost recovery for maintenance. Staff said they will give notice of the change before it takes effect next year.
Other items included upcoming community events (a resource fair and a quilt show), a proposal to improve signage at tennis courts after a dog-related incident, and outreach to recruit a replacement for the resigned park board member Jenna Warner. Staff asked board members to solicit letters of support for grant applications where appropriate.
On preservation, staff said the Washington State Advisory Council on Historic Preservation met on Sept. 1 and "nominated unanimously, to accept Smith Park for listing on the the register." Staff said the board will likely present the formal notice to the city council when the letter arrives.
On funding, staff reported a $100,000 local park maintenance grant application and the planned redirection of $45,000 from a restoration allocation to support the project. A separate Windjammer-related funding package and an earmark discussed for a Jerome parking lot were also mentioned as ongoing funding efforts.
Staff gave personnel updates: interviews are underway for a park supervisor position, and openings are expected for two maintenance positions and a recreation coordinator; the department will also advertise for an assistant harbor master.
On fees, staff said updates to the field-use agreement include increasing the per-participant fee from $8.50 to $9.00 (a 50-cent change) to improve cost recovery for maintenance. Staff said they will give notice of the change before it takes effect next year.
Other items included upcoming community events (a resource fair and a quilt show), a proposal to improve signage at tennis courts after a dog-related incident, and outreach to recruit a replacement for the resigned park board member Jenna Warner. Staff asked board members to solicit letters of support for grant applications where appropriate.
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