March 25, 2002 Metropolitan Parks Task Force membership announced The Metropolitan Parks Task Force, created by King County Executive Ron Sims, King County Councilmembers Larry Phillips and Carolyn Edmonds to address long-term solutions for the region’s parks in the face of budget shortfalls, today announced its membership roster. The creation of this task force was announced last month at the same time King County was forced to announce the closure of 20 parks within its park system. Gene Duvernoy, president of the Cascade Land Conservancy and Robert Wallace, CEO of Wallace Properties, have agreed to co-chair the Metropolitan Parks Task Force. The task force is comprised of various community and business leaders with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences from around King County. A full list of task force members is attached. “I am delighted by the composition of this task force,” said King County Executive Ron Sims. “Thanks to the hard work of Bob and Gene this group will bring together key business and community leaders from across King County to address this critical issue. I am confident that this task force will be an important force in determining next steps for the parks and open space in King County. “Whatever the task force outcome and recommendations are, the County will work closely with user groups, cities, the school districts and others that are involved in the determination of the future of our parks.” “These talented and visionary people will come up with creative options for our parks,” said Phillips, who is the Council’s budget chair. “Given our current budget crisis, I have confidence that their work over the next four months will produce real options for keeping our parks open for King County residents young and old. They deserve no less than our collective best efforts.” “It is wonderful to have such an esteemed group of citizens volunteer their time to assist us with this important issue,” said Edmonds, chair of the Council’s Natural Resources, Parks and Open Space Committee. “This will be challenging and important work. I am grateful for their commitment to their community.” The Metropolitan Parks Task Force will hold their first meeting on April 2nd and expect to meet regularly over the next four months. The Task Force shall present preliminary recommendations to the Executive and Council in June of this year in order to consider impacts of the 2003 budget. “I want to thank the Executive and Councilmembers for convening this group. I have high hopes for this Task Force and believe that we will be able to continue to leave a legacy of parks and open space for future generations,” said Robert Wallace, co-chair of the Task Force. “King County and the Puget Sound region are defined by the greenery surrounding us. I am pleased to be a part of an effort dedicated to preserving this important resource and ensuring a sustainable funding source to continue parks and recreation opportunities for all residents of King County.” “I look forward to working with Bob; his entrepreneurial vision and business judgment will add to the depth of this committee,” said Gene Duvernoy, the other Task Force vice-chair. “People understand how important parks and open space are to the high quality of life in King County and are willing to give their time and energy toward this important effort. It is heartening, quite frankly, to see such an impressive group of community leaders so eagerly volunteer to be a part of this effort.” The task force will meet Tuesday, April 2, and will continue to meet over the next few months to review and recommend proposals for next steps for the region’s parks to Executive Sims. King County has several committees advising it on the foundational elements of a park and open space system. These include Conservation Futures Citizens Committee, King County Active Sports and Youth Recreation Commission, as well as the Rural Forest Commission and Agriculture Commission. The charge of the Metropolitan Parks Task Force is complimentary to the work of these committees. The Task Force will look across the entire county park and open space system and recommend structures and mechanisms that will ensure it remains operational and has the vitality and capacity to embrace and advance the initiatives and programs advanced by these other groups. Metropolitan Parks Task Force Membership List Gene Duvernoy Cascade Land Conservancy Co-chair Ken Alhadeff Alhadeff Enterprise Robin Appleford Legislative Consulting Services Rick Bender Washington State Labor Council Lynn Claudon Lynn Claudon Consulting Martin-Jamie Durkan, Jr. Martin Durkan Consulting Jim Hattori Hattori and Associates Roger Hoesterey Trust for Public Land Bob Wallace Wallace Properties Co-Chair Nate Miles Eli Lilly Company Louise Miller Former King County Councilmember Steve Ohlenkamp TCG, LLC Peter Orser Quadrant Corporation John Rose Seattle Northwest Securities Greg Slaughter SEIU Local 925 Maryanne Tagney-Jones Washington Conservation Voters Updated: March 25, 2002 Executive's home | Executive's news Executive's e-mail King County | Executive | News | Services | Comments | Search Links to external sites do not constitute endorsements by King County. 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