Manson Parks and Manson School District Continue to Explore Options

by Dennis Rahm

A joint board meeting of the Manson Parks and Recreation District and the Manson School District was held yesterday to continue exploring the purchase of Leffler Field for use as a community park.

It was announced earlier this month that the School District had agreed to contribute financially to the project at an estimated level of $550,000. The cost of the nearly five-acre parcel adjacent to the Mountain View Lodge is $1.3 million. The additional $750,000 in funding had previously been secured from state and county sources, as well as some community donations.

Both the Parks Department and the School District, subject to their respective board approvals, have entered into a purchase and sale agreement with the Leffler family that is scheduled to close by the end of January.

Some 25 or more Manson area residents attended the Wednesday meeting to learn more about the Leffler Field acquisition and to make comments. Attendees voiced both support and concerns about the project.

Parks Director Robin Pittman tells LakeChelanNow she is amazed at how passionate, respectful and educated the comments were and gives us an idea of what’s next in the interview below.

Parks Director Robin Pittman – “Plenty of Opportunity for Public Input”

Pittman says there is still time for public comment on the project. Manson area residents are encouraged to contact the Parks Department by phone at 687-9635 or by email at robin@mansonparks.com. The next regular board meeting of the Manson Parks and Recreation District is scheduled for Thursday, January 9 at 4:10 pm.

Manson School District Superintendent Matt Charlton is also pleased with the amount of public interest in the project calling the Thursday night meeting a great example of civic discourse. When asked about acquiring the property, Charlton said, “whenever you can work with another community agency on something that can benefit the School district and the Parks department, it’s worth having the conversation”.

In addition to the January Parks Department board meeting, the public will also be invited to comment on the Leffler Field acquisition at the next School board meeting on Thursday, December 19 and during a special board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 7.

If the purchase moves forward, School Superintendent Charlton indicates the public will also be involved in determining future uses of the land.