Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Your voices, your votes, and your engagement matter.

Though the vote won’t be certified until November 25th, the results are mixed. The formation of the Lopez Rec District passed (hooray!), but the levy did not. That means Lopez now officially has a Parks and Recreation District – a vital first step – but without dedicated funding to operate. The 37c levy amount earned support from about half of Lopez voters – a strong showing, but short of the 60% supermajority needed to pass. That makes it clear there’s both enthusiasm and hesitation in our community.

It also means there will be no guaranteed relief for school sports and the school funding crisis, and no secure sustainable funding for LIFRC’s after-school and summer programs. And now that the district is officially formed, placing a new levy on the ballot will also come with real financial costs.

We know this result leaves many questions. What’s next? How do we sustain our programs and fulfill the vision we’ve all worked toward? The Rally for the Rec Committee formed as a political action committee in order to advocate for the creation of a Park and Recreation District on Lopez. The District has been formed, and the Committee will be dissolved. The Committee will now leave the work ahead to the elected commissioners.

Thank you again to everyone who cared, voted, donated, volunteered, and showed up for Lopez Rec. This movement has always been about more than one election – it’s about creating lasting opportunities for our youth, families, and community. We encourage your ongoing participation in the conversation of the direction and future of Lopez Rec – attend public meetings, stay informed, and talk with friends and family.

Signing off with gratitude.

Brady, Bridie, Jane, Jenny, Judith, Kit, Lynn, Stephanie

The Rally for the Rec Committee