To the editor:

South Whidbey Parks & Recreation will have a levy renewal on the Feb. 9 ballot — I am urging you today to vote to renew the M&O levy for our local parks district.

We are so fortunate to have such a productive and outstanding park district here on South Whidbey. Central Whidbey does not have a parks and recreation department and North Whidbey has limited organized recreation programs besides swimming.

Our local parks department is invaluable to our community, particularly youth programs like basketball, baseball and soccer, not to mention the multitudes of individual programs available to youth and adults.

My son participates in soccer here on South Whidbey, and I appreciate the outstanding job the parks district does in keeping the soccer fields in excellent condition. The few dollars (about $45 per year) it costs me in taxes to support such a great organization is small in comparison to what my son has received in benefits for a return on my dollar.

If you have not visited either Community Park or the new playground, plaza or picnic pavilions at the Sports Complex on Langley Road, you should. The parks district used our tax money wisely and designed an outstanding new facility for soccer enthusiasts and their families.

Again, I am grateful for the tireless work the park district performs in order to make our lives and our children’s lives a little bit better on South Whidbey. Please mark the YES box on your mail-in ballot.

John Auburn

J.W. Desserts