[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6274779,"mediaKeyId","2985728-3cd59077687e3e7daba76dbe47a9c392","parentId",2985728,"title","Oak Harbor Garden Club launches Trex Challenge, readies May plant sale","audioSeconds",212,"startMs",109305,"endMs",321395,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985728-3cd59077687e3e7daba76dbe47a9c392&start=109&end=321","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985728-3cd59077687e3e7daba76dbe47a9c392/thumbnail_109305.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6274779/Oak-Harbor/Island-County/Washington/Oak-Harbor-Garden-Club-launches-Trex-Challenge-readies-May-plant-sale","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274779-7cdf83f20294d02467e0e8ad3ec7e7ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771080216&Signature=jFdaRO9pcmQs5O1Bdbx5eNzWU9m4Ip~v2rySh5W7aKOE4I35fe-UuAYScBMEcf4rRhKpqI1UfEbfr~mvosZToKQfjmuMe5JVcb6XVOn~E8dbuclsZaNhcls5HPBfonlx2nEDHs0hhKm2PnYcv3i4~MUmelq~b5Eie70LE3l~DHgkHu1z8M8CH~JWFFHV7QDl6hD0qmYitCgZntzw89cwVOijOXpp0X5H~BR9G1ump0SxvqhqBrii-x03qbYdAsJpMj0UPh4mOI0cHFGSzlbmasP6ecr5H1vkyNY7oRxVbsuubfvmuuVb-dwL5ZeFDtEi8mjPbwb-FiPAooEWz5H-Dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oak Harbor City, WA","date","2025-04-15T00:02:03.993Z","article","Kathy Chalfant of the Oak Harbor Garden Club updated the commission on the club’s spring activities, including a Trex Challenge to collect non-city-recyclable plastics, a plant sale on Saturday, May 10, scholarships, and collaboration on Arbor Day and seasonal plantings.

Chalfant said the Trex Challenge, which launched April 1, collects plastic wrap and other flexible plastics such as potting-soil bags and packaging film that the city’s bins do not accept; collection points include a community center, the Chamber of Commerce and the Main Street Association on Pioneer Way. “Our goal is to raise a thousand pounds in 1 year. And if we do, we will get a Trex bench, which we will donate to a park,” Chalfant said.

The club is hosting a plant sale May 10 from 9 a.m. to noon near the park and the pickleball courts, offering hanging baskets, perennials and houseplants. Chalfant also said the club awarded two scholarships to high-school seniors, is providing grants to nonprofits and businesses for beautification projects, and is working with parks staff on seasonal flower-pot plantings and Arbor Day activities at schools.

The Garden Club’s outreach and volunteer activities were noted by commissioners as helpful support for spring park and school events; the Parks department later asked for volunteers for the April 25 Arbor Day events at five elementary schools.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4-14-2025 City of Oak Harbor Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission","oneSentenceSummary","The Oak Harbor Garden Club told the commission it has launched a Trex Challenge to collect hard-to-recycle plastic and plans a plant sale May 10; the club also described scholarships and collaboration with parks staff for seasonal planting and Arbor Day activities at local schools.","taxTitle","Oak Harbor, Island County, Washington","taxId",54122,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6274784,"Residents urge crosswalk and traffic calming near Scenic Heights Trail",303,295400,598410,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985728-3cd59077687e3e7daba76dbe47a9c392&start=295&end=598","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985728-3cd59077687e3e7daba76dbe47a9c392/thumbnail_295400.jpg","/articles/6274784/Oak-Harbor/Island-County/Washington/Residents-urge-crosswalk-and-traffic-calming-near-Scenic-Heights-Trail","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274784-1a7faedbfd71a3dbf1972f1718293c22/orig.mp4?Expires=1771080216&Signature=N9oScpa3zX7xELJK4WnyqjhptPPdADrw8CqSsejkIZyrT5UOAoMBFP4ZcHlo2xRVRbETRHvgFsBBUZugnunMuDkxjKDNaK3Qqhi3JzJpg84l0A608o1mEtkWe2WfUtnA8N50nCPVMonz7APjUv1gVOBbNXOdqcqpM5Fp9eqdcnxmGAq~U3igU7ajmic1-RrSnxiPHcmxQ-TCYvOL04PjiylRdbkL5L4hAoddlnL7Am33yZda6vM6B7GujvqN5Q1995G1DIihKFTvssxU90vuXwIztkA8e4xz0X98lGqo0j0mzcU8VnjGtVsY-ontYpN9gfp6v-MfQP3Dh12T~jYzMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two residents told the advisory commission they are concerned about vehicle speeds and pedestrian safety where Scenic Heights Road connects to Southwest Nineteenth Court and the Scenic Heights and Friend Marsh trail access.

Denise Marion described frequent crossings at that location by children, dog walkers, bicyclists and elderly pedestrians and called the area congested by a bus stop, cluster mailboxes and delivery vehicles. She said the crossing is used by people traveling from Fort Nugent Park and urged the commission to consider slowing traffic and adding a crosswalk: “It's a universal wish that we could slow the traffic and put in a crosswalk there, which would really complete that trail all the way from Fort Nugent Park to Windjammer and Points Beyond.”

Kim Ford, another resident, said she regularly drives in the neighborhood and described the turn from Froond onto Scenic Heights as “frequently, a scary turn” because motorists often accelerate; she said children frequently cross the road there to access Windjammer Park.

Commissioners and staff said the request will be shared with the city’s public-works and active-transportation planning staff; development services staff are preparing an active-transportation plan that may identify the location and potential remedies such as speed reduction measures and a marked crossing.","Residents asked the commission to consider slowing traffic and installing a crosswalk at Scenic Heights Road where the Scenic Heights Trail and Friend Marsh are accessed, citing heavy pedestrian use and safety concerns.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6274788,"Freedom Park update: volunteers thin forest, lay out disc-golf holes and trails",732,655955,1388255,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985728-3cd59077687e3e7daba76dbe47a9c392&start=655&end=1388","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985728-3cd59077687e3e7daba76dbe47a9c392/thumbnail_655955.jpg","/articles/6274788/Oak-Harbor/Island-County/Washington/Freedom-Park-update-volunteers-thin-forest-lay-out-disc-golf-holes-and-trails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274788-5a191599f20417d49592a0cb011b3d4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771080216&Signature=XcSRiFvGYvG59E1WK82lggBTTYZCh5vkqONJQrc~4EeN5mbjV-tynUm-Zrdz3wVA5zAHpDyJh4GcWoPUKyRg~bDq5gJGhTqmCMee4EB9tx4O5c21x1KPYVscbX~UzvMq78vp4t~98LcpKpFg~O21J2cbMUDhx7SRt0OftrNVHObKnok7ySulZ73mtZmrJzF1y9gsklORSAjQZH3qlBaoobbAGxErZ~U56kQ3yFaYmxIl9c1-h0li8bg4UgQY68GPIlPS46hIKTbNwlSULksO0n8AkvOFgzMN3f3OFP1e3dAqXQ6KhFk3biTKi5qSXym1UADHvpRTfOI8yPSE8sePmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parks staff updated the advisory commission on work at Freedom Park, saying crews and volunteers have started clearing undergrowth, marking disc-golf fairways and tentative walking trails, and addressing downed timber and ladder fuel to reduce fire hazard.

Staff showed photos of the 75-acre forested property and described Hole 1 of the proposed disc-golf course as a pilot example of the intended approach: much of the mature, healthy tree canopy will remain, and crews are thinning invasive or overgrown underbrush rather than creating large cleared swaths. Eric McCabe provided the course layout; staff said the yellow areas in the plan indicate fairways while a tentative walking trail is shown in red.

Parks staff and volunteers used brush trimmers, chainsaws and a small tracked skid steer to remove undergrowth and cut down hazard material. Staff emphasized the work is “low-impact” and that the 40-foot figure used by the designer refers primarily to required airspace for flying discs rather than a 40-foot cleared corridor of forest.

Staff estimated they could complete the majority of trail and disc-golf clearing if work continues through the summer, possibly opening some sections later this year. They are pursuing a simplified stormwater compliance report from an engineering firm because trailhead areas may require documentation even though trails will mostly leave permeable forest floor in place.

Commission members discussed volunteer mobilization, flagging additional holes for crew work, and planting plans for future tree replacement or reforestation at appropriate sites. The Woodby Island Disc Golf Club expressed interest in sponsoring saplings through event entry fees for future replanting.","Parks staff and volunteers have begun thinning undergrowth and marking initial disc-golf fairways and walking trails at the 75-acre Freedom Park property; staff said mature trees will be preserved and a simplified stormwater compliance report will be prepared by an engineer.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6274792,"Commission splits on Girl Scout building; defers recommendation to City Council",2173,1360625,3533685,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985728-3cd59077687e3e7daba76dbe47a9c392&start=1360&end=3533","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985728-3cd59077687e3e7daba76dbe47a9c392/thumbnail_1360625.jpg","/articles/6274792/Oak-Harbor/Island-County/Washington/Commission-splits-on-Girl-Scout-building-defers-recommendation-to-City-Council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274792-f7ac20b4dfafb544a9edaf04faafbf0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771080216&Signature=X3vvlYEbWkSWDCRGrdjfn9TfkA2Lz4nxEpnm~g89UJI5Q7oQFKobLWATjIBESkPraEYXFivLnoPUrIWv-ig7~LciIjH6o9xeFHfljg-imdExSbGrqmz9VNu9ZUU28G2UNnOFW-HFDw183EeOdKpMC8tzYM7PUztvroeqbvFlYezKF2-sIdAVt5TaVxdtZuZoeNfpJbW4a2dcPF2U5n65IAmbVh2-SXWiOz0ubx-VDuMgKdoteBZg-5E0~c5aHf5mq5Lc~dCgsg0FJFLbtauUcB9Rs00xoohc0wpzAXQanVbhASzJFdXa5nCrxc9PCh1TYSj8DESmnVs1-DwDoJ7rfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oak Harbor Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission discussed a staff briefing on the future of the Girl Scout building at Veil Park and declined to make a formal recommendation, leaving the decision to the City Council.

Parks staff said the Girl Scouts of Western Washington have asked to relinquish the building and that the city owns the land while the Girl Scouts own the structure under a 2019 lease agreement. Staff reported the building has two roughly 800-square-foot usable spaces, limited rental history, and deferred capital needs. Staff estimated carpet replacement at about $5,000 and a roof replacement at about $30,000; the Girl Scouts’ regional organization reported annual facility costs of roughly $3,500 for maintenance and just under $4,000 for utilities, figures local troops disputed.

Council member Eric Marshall said he supports city ownership only if the leaseback terms were reworked and criticized the proposed $1-per-year leaseback as inconsistent with the city’s cost-recovery approach. Commissioners raised other concerns: possible asbestos found in flooring materials (noted in the council packet), the city’s potential demolition and abatement costs if the Girl Scouts were required to remove the building, and whether there is a community use that justifies the maintenance and capital expense.

Staff outlined options: accept a donation and enter a license agreement allowing local Girl Scout troops to use the building for up to five years; require the Girl Scouts to remove the building; or pay market value for the structure. The staff report noted an assessed building value used in earlier discussions of about $54,660 and that the Girl Scouts requested a multiyear leaseback as part of their proposal.

Commission members were split. Some suggested a one-year interim lease to give the Girl Scouts time to find alternatives and to allow the city to consider limited uses such as storage for recreation equipment. Others expressed a preference to decline the offer or to require the Girl Scouts to remove the building. The commission did not reach a recommendation and deferred to the council, noting additional information—demo/abatement costs, occupant-capacity/code upgrades, and a clearer plan for reuse—would be useful for council consideration.

The item will be on the council agenda for their upcoming meeting for a final determination.","The advisory commission reviewed a staff report and public comments about the Girl Scout building at Veil Park, discussed costs and options (donation, purchase or removal), but declined to make a formal recommendation and referred the matter to city council.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6274799,"Commission approves meeting agenda and March minutes",114,26265,141142,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985728-3cd59077687e3e7daba76dbe47a9c392&start=26&end=141","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985728-3cd59077687e3e7daba76dbe47a9c392/thumbnail_26265.jpg","/articles/6274799/Oak-Harbor/Island-County/Washington/Commission-approves-meeting-agenda-and-March-minutes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274799-eb955632ed9bd20d7f8518303ca87714/orig.mp4?Expires=1771080216&Signature=A7RHbpm5KA4Sdt~LttK1La6xhNCb76UQ8A7H2jttf1eD7hX-~4fVjkD~4CaHH2pk-HvC2Jx-8I3-1Ayp75hy0V3g8iYMIa-yOzurRfglOMXjBsqi6~5lhA7Qt9IDpg1VcBd5Ijjnhx4tSY88IbiYqneUnUYMO4CepTW-AwxT2OKN9oAaGh7t4Oxz-II6gGizpLYtBka9HBVWnLO4PkDFvqlf-QHIF0wSxTBWiFxsyFmdPVFxSy-jfQVBUtQUGiorxky7GI-vva9871ZMsGFy~npoCDIB7wX09YPVkkqCihZnpw9GkoP7yHgg6rDyjchg0nkCjjP4o-TT-B8lnFgsug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oak Harbor Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission approved the meeting agenda and then approved the minutes from its March 10, 2025 meeting during routine procedural business at the start of the session.

The agenda was approved after a motion and a second and an affirmative voice vote. The commission then took a separate motion and second to approve the March 10, 2025 minutes; that motion also passed on an affirmative voice vote.

Both actions were recorded during the meeting’s opening procedural items and carried by voice vote; no roll-call tallies or member-by-name votes were recorded in the advisory-commission transcript.

The approvals were routine and did not include any amendment to the agenda or minutes; the meeting moved on to the public-comment period and subsequent discussion items following the votes.","The Oak Harbor Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from its March 10, 2025 meeting during procedural business at the start of the April meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Oak Harbor Garden Club launches Trex Challenge, readies May plant sale

Residents urge crosswalk and traffic calming near Scenic Heights Trail

Freedom Park update: volunteers thin forest, lay out disc-golf holes and trails

Commission splits on Girl Scout building; defers recommendation to City Council

Commission approves meeting agenda and March minutes