Orting News Answer Poll

Comment #34: Wait a minute... what? You charge $10 per child and where does that money go? Upgrades to the fields?? NO Upgrades to the bathrooms? NO Water for the fields? NO Gravel for the parking lot? NO That seems like a nice chunk of change to do something wonderful for the "community" park!

Comment #33: We have expenses, but don't call it community if it is, at most times a fee.

Comment #32: The Lions deserve a pat on the back and our thanks!

Comment #31: The Orting Lions Community Park cordially invites any and all interested parties to come out to our fields, and lend a helping hand. We will gladly accept any type of help that you may be interested in doing. The snack shack is always open during all regular sports seasons, and could use your help during this time. Stop by and sign up to help us out. As a COMMUNITY Park it would be most generous of the people in the community to help when you can. The park is very large and requires a lot more help than we can provide by ourselves. Feel free to get involved in one of the greatest assets this community has. We have built these fields for all to enjoy and use. If you have concerns or questions about our park, please accept our King Lions invitation to attend one of our meetings. Spencer Wiltse, President , Orting Lions Community Park

Comment #30: comments 2,7,10,11,14,16 ,17,20 and 23 need to read comments 26,27 and 28. They are inviting you to join their organization and do some actual good for the community rather than sit back and complain.

Comment #29: It is a field that is owned by the Lions who have been gracious enough to let childrens program use their fields.

Comment #28: In response to the many comments posted, I wanted to set the record straight.First of all, while the sign says Lions Community Park, it is not owned by the Lions club but is in fact a seperate entity and is a project of the Orting Lions . The club has worked dillegently on this project in and for the community. The gates are locked when not in use due to vandalism. Our parking lot has been torn up repeatedly and every one of our buildings has been broken into and items stolen.(we incurred a double breakin just last week) Secondly, the Park board set usage fees this year at $10 per child per season. I have not received a single comment about this fee being excessive! This park is expensive to run and takes a lot of volunteer manpower to operate. I would like to extend an invitation to any one in the community to join the Lions club and or the Community Park Board to get directly involved in this great asset that has been handed to Orting and the surrounding area. We meet the first and third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM and visitors are always welcome. For more information feel free to contact me directly at 253-722-6790. Dave Harman, President , Orting Lions Club

Comment #27: As past president ofthe Lions, I feel I should respond to the question concerning the community park. The park is a seperate organization run by volunteers of the Lions club. The fields are maintained by these volunteers. The fees recieved by the Lions park for sports go only for taxes, water, power, fuel, equipment repair and field maintenance as there are no employees. The gates are locked due to burglary of buildings, vandalizing and safety within the park itself. As for the Lions Club functions, we also are non profit. We meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesday's at 7:00 for our dinner meetings Please consider this an open invitatiion to meet us, have dinner with us, and voice your concerns. Perhaps you can volunteer with the fields, snack shack, hearing and eye tests at the elementary school, football hamburger cooks for the annual scholarships, hamburger cooks at all 4 schools, cooks at the soldiers home, the easter egg hunt, collect glasses or help on the 4th of July with the rest of your community. See you at 7:00..... Jerry Cowan

Comment #26: We have one of the best city parks in the state and if you enjoy it you should be aware that the Lions supplied the manpower and funding for the whole community to have a beautiful gazebo, bbq shelter and pit, new market building, stone wall around the park and so much more that people don't seem to realize they have the privilege of using free of charge thanks to Lions! I appreciate all the Lion's Club gives to this community and that they open up their property for use by more than just their organization is a tremendous gift and asset to our area. (Perhaps all of you complaining would like to pitch in your money, time and resources to make this town a better place) You can sign up to help at Lion's, Kiwanis, Eagles, the Food Bank, Communities in Schools, Parks and Rec, the Chamber of Commerce or any of the local churches would be glad to have your financial support and volunteerism. Please turn your complaints into productive energy. Volunteer and get involved like the faithful Lions club has for years. I am not a Lion, but have observed first hand the tremendous work they do and facilities they provide. THANK YOU LIONS! -Rhonda Madison- P.S. I think anyone who is concerned enough to express their opinions here or elsewhere should have the courage to identify who they are, not hide behind a cloak of anonymity.

Comment #25: What a shame!!! The field is locked up because of theft and burglary, and people that take advantage of parking for doing what ever they do dumping garbage, drinking and drugs! Are Lions Club is a very giving organization, I have freinds that in the time of need after there home was taken by a storm, down the river the Lions was there to help. And they help in so many other ways . Stop griping about a locked gate and think about why it may be LOCKED???!!!!!!!!

Comment #24: the lions have done a great job out there,and in the community,the gates must be locked when no one is there,otherwise the fields would be vandalized,this is not seattle,im very greatful to have a place like that around.and thank the lions for all their time and effort.Also so what if the member has a beer or cocktail,while they are raising funds for someone or something.most of these men are our honered vets.I believe if you want big city taxes and laws stay there.

Comment #23: Considering the fact that while I was there today (8/20) at my son's soccer practice, the Lion's were having a function where members were standing in the open door with drinks (clearly alcohol) in their hands, I would hope it is not a community park. How many parks do you go to where alcohol is allowed?

Comment #22: There should be some time and space for r.c. aircraft to fly.

Comment #21: There should be some time and space for r.c. aircraft to fly.

Comment #20: If it was a community park, than you wouldnt be "locked out" of using it ....

Comment #19: The people in Orting should fell grateful for the Lions for sharing their facility with the community. For those who think it cost to much,If you don't use it you don't pay. If you want the city to purchase it then your going to pay taxes and High wages for someone to run it. The city cann't even keep up with what little parks they have. To the person who said the Lions had all the Power, would you open up your house and let someone else run it. I praise the Lions for what they done and for their Hard work. Its to bad that most people these days are only looking for free Lunch.

Comment #18: Too far from town!!!!

Comment #17: no, it's clearly labled Lions park. It doesn't really belong to the city, although the city, should it attemp to gain an urban growth area, might consider this area for annexation. If it were annexed and purchased by the city, I would consider it a community park.

Comment #16: How can a community enjoy a park when access is restricted to organized sports only? The gates to the parking lot are usually locked unless a team is using the fields for games or practice.

Comment #15: As a parent of a child who was played soccer here for 3 years and another child in her second year of soccer I think it is very community oriented and I think all of the people involved who make it possible for this to take place year after year.

Comment #14: Not exactly - totally ran by the Lions - so they have all the power

Comment #13: No - It is a community park when your child has a soccer game, baseball game or there is a 4th of July event. It isn't a park just to go as a family and walk or let the kids play. There isn't anything there to do unless it is in the middle of a sports season.

Comment #12: It would great to have more to do in Orting, I love this town, but we need more for the people to do. Did not know.

Comment #11: It would be nice to have better communication with the Lions - many times we are locked out of the gates for various sports practices. Also it would be nice to see some improvements to the field for both baseball and soccer - when we travel to other towns, one can see where we are certainly lacking in this department. We pay incredible rates to play here - wish that some of the funding would be used to better the facility. (upkeep, lighting, safer grounds, grooming, etc..)

Comment #10: With gates and locks on it, it cannot be considered a 'Community Park'.

Comment #9: Comment on #8 below. The City does require developers to set aside parks land. The old railroad spur that ran out to Crocker Grange is private property and is in the County (not with-in the City limits.) Surely you don't want the County to implement Immanent Domain and take away private land for a Trail Extention. Also check all the hoops that you have to jump through to cross a State Highway.(162) Thinning out Dump Trucks? Surely you jest!

Comment #8: The City of Orting has neglected to set aside lands for our parks and recreation. The School, even though it too is paid for by tax dollars is no help. There simply is not enough land for our family's to enjoy. The Lions Field is by far the most family friendly park in our community. Where are the sports fields that should be coming with all the new housing developments? How much money has passed under the table at City Council meetings for the City to neglect such an important part of our quality of life? The Trail should be pushed out to the Lions Field Crossing at the old Crocker Grange. A crosswalk could be put in there so our kids can ride a bike to practice. Maybe the traffic from all the Dump Trucks could be lightened up a bit if we didn't have to transport our kids out there all the time.

Comment #7: not when there are gates and locks!

Comment #6: Interesting question. I consider it a fascility owned and maintained by the Lions, however; it is used by the city recreation department and others. Does the city or others pay a usage fee? It certianly seems to be utilized as a community park, but if it is not, then I would say, Thank You Lions for providing such a wonderful asset to the community.

Comment #5: I love the new baseball diamonds! My son played for the Mets. We love it!

Comment #4: I do feel that the Lions Park is a community Park. The only thing is, is that we as a community need to help. My heart goes out to Ray and Marv for all their hard work on the maintenance of the fields. For the park being as big as it is and is used almost all year round. It is alot for two people to take care of. As a parent whose children play sports there along with other families. Its not difficult to pick up after yourself or for that matter go ask Ray or Marv at the snack shack if there is anything you can do to help. People need to stop complaining and step up and help.

Comment #3: You bet! The Lions do more for the community than any other organization in town, well they may be tied for 1st with the Eagles. It's a huge asset for the city & may be taken for granted by some. Remember it is an all volunteer effort, it takes time (Lion's members) and money to keep it maintained. The 'arm & a leg' comment below is off the mark. Name another city around here that has a facility like that. Would you prefer more houses on that acreage? I'm not a Lion btw.

Comment #2: It's locked up, you have to schedule when you can be there and it costs an arm and a leg to reserve the fields for local sports. I don't see much "community" in that.

Comment #1: nice park