The City of Edmonds is looking for individuals interested in serving on a committee that will explore the idea of forming a Metropolitan Park District in Edmonds. These are non-paid, volunteer positions, and all participants must be a registered voter and live in Edmonds.

The committee will be charged with gathering and interpreting information about the pros and cons of a Metropolitan Park District; exploring goals, issues, needs and priorities of Edmonds Parks and Recreation system; directing public outreach strategies such as citizen surveys and town hall meetings; and preparing conclusions and recommendations for Council consideration.

The committee will meet in May and June so that it can make a recommendation to City Council in July. If the City Council were to consider placing this measure on the November ballot, it would need to be filed in August.

If such a measure were approved by voters, it could fund the city’s deferred maintenance and capital needs for parks that are currently unfunded. In addition, the money raised through the property tax assessment (at a maximum of 75 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation) could free up city money currently dedicated to parks for other needs, such as city road maintenance.

The first two meetings have been scheduled for May 7 and 23, from 6-8 p.m. in the Library Plaza Room, 2nd floor, Edmonds Library.

Interested Edmonds residents can pick up an application at the reception desk in the City Hall lobby, 121 5th Ave. N., Edmonds, or download an application from the city website. Deadline for application is 4:30 p.m., April 27.