About

the Rally

Why are we rallying? Who’s behind the Rally? And why should you care? All your questions about the Lopez Rec initiative can be answered here.

What is a Parks & Rec?

A Clear Understanding

A Parks and Recreation District is a junior taxing district that provides recreational services within a specific area, collaborating with local organizations, schools, and businesses. It is funded primarily by a voter-approved property tax levy, with additional funds from participant fees, donations, and grants. The district is governed by a five-member board of elected commissioners.

Why Do We Need this Now?

Vote YES for Lopez Rec: Protect What Matters

For years, Lopez school sports, summer camps, and beloved community events have relied on short-term grants and dedicated volunteers. But as funding dries up and organizations like the Lions Club and Community Little League struggle to keep going, this model is no longer sustainable.

A Parks and Rec District would secure the future of school athletics, after-school programs, and activities for all ages—from indoor pickleball to sailing instruction.

Without action, we risk losing the very things that make Lopez a vibrant place to live. It’s time to invest in our community’s future. Vote YES for Lopez Rec.

Brady Smith

LISD Superintendent

Brady Smith currently serves as the Superintendent of Schools for the Lopez Island School District after returning to the Pacific Northwest after a career in public education in New York and Oregon. Brady is committed to expanding options for island youth and optimizing the school facilities through a Parks and Rec partnership and believes that a Lopez Parks and Rec will support many existing and beloved activities and events on the island as well as offer new recreational opportunities for the whole community. Brady enjoys kayaking, biking and hiking with his two small dogs and fondly remembers teaching Dungeons and Dragons through the Seattle Parks and Rec at Laurelhurst Park as a 14-year-old.

Jane Fuller

County Council Chair

Jane Fuller is Chair of the San Juan County Council and represents Residency District 3 (Lopez, Shaw, Decatur, Center, Blakely Islands). Jane has been coming every year to Lopez since 1978 and in 2017 she and her husband moved from Canada to Lopez Island full time with her daughter, who is a senior at Lopez High School and a track and soccer athlete. As a huge supporter of and advocate for LISD she helped co-found the first Lopez Island Parent Teacher Student Association in 2020. Jane knows how important school sports are to our school but she also knows of the school's budget constraints due to inadequate state funding. When Jane was elected to Council, she reached out to parents and other invested parties to form the Lopez Island Parks and Recreation District Formation Committee. In meetings since December, 2023 this skilled and experienced group has researched and discussed the benefits a Parks and Recreation District would bring to the entire Lopez Island community by providing sustainable funding to local organizations that are running important programming for people of all ages on our island.

Jenny Poole

Parent

As a proud mom of two Lopez teen athletes, an educator, and former school board chair, Jenny Poole is committed to ensuring that our youth maintain access to the sports and activities that are essential to their physical and emotional health and community connection. With extended family on the island, including a husband who grew up on Lopez, and as a business owner, Jenny understands how a Lopez Island Parks and Rec would benefit residents of all ages and contribute to the local economy. Jenny loves long runs on our local trails, paddles on the water, and joining her extended Lopez family around the dinner table.

Stephanie Stratil

Parent

Stephanie Stratil has managed After-School and Summer Camp programs at the Lopez Island Family Resource Center since 2018 and is currently the Youth Learning Programs Director. She grew up in Germany and moved here with fond memories of childhood visits to her grandparents on Lopez. For her, a Parks and Recs District can ensure that all Lopezians will have access to affordable, high-quality recreation right here at our doorstep for years to come. With a background in marine biology, she enjoys being in, on, and at the water, most often accompanied by her five and three-year-olds. She is determined to play basketball again someday - hopefully through a Lopez Parks and Recs District.

Bridie Spreine

Parent

Bridie Spreine is a long-time Lopez resident and a parent of athletes, a coach, a small business owner, a youth mentor and a 4th degree black belt. With both retired parents and school-age children on the island, Bridie is passionate about the vision for the Lopez Island Parks and Rec to provide recreational programming for all island residents. She knows firsthand the challenges in organizing affordable, high-quality recreational programming on Lopez and believes that a Parks and Rec will not only allow for current beloved activities to continue but also support new recreational opportunities that are responsive to community demand.

Judith Koehler

Parent

Judith Koehler has an eclectic background in business entrepreneurship and community building, and is currently channeling a passion for gardening and design into her local business. A dedicated parent of two Lopez Island high schoolers, her family has been deeply involved in sports, arts, summer programs and community events on Lopez since moving from New Zealand in 2017. Strong enthusiasm for youth sports, community engagement, and quality of life for all Lopezians drives her work on the Rally for The Rec Campaign. Outside of committee work, Judith loves all things outdoors, as well as reading books and savoring a good cup of tea!

Kit Ledbetter

Community Member

Kit Ledbetter spent 39 years working in Parks and Recreation Districts including serving as Parks and Rec Director for the city of Sea-Tac Washington from 1995-2016. His experience and expertise have been essential to the vision of a Lopez Parks and Rec District. Kit is an avid golfer, enjoys biking and hiking and spending time with his children and grandchildren here on Lopez and he knows both personally and professionally how a Parks and Rec can significantly improve the quality of life on our little island.

About

the Rally

What is a Parks & Rec?

A Clear Understanding

Why Do We Need this Now?

Vote YES for Lopez Rec: Protect What Matters

Brady Smith

Jane Fuller

Jenny Poole

Stephanie Stratil

Bridie Spreine

Judith Koehler

Kit Ledbetter

A community campaign to bring a Parks and Rec District to Lopez Island.

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