Post Election Survey
Proposed Capital Bond & Proposed Operations Levy
In May 2024, HRVPRD put two measures on the Hood River County Ballot. One was an operational levy to support maintenance, recreation, and operations of the aquatic center. The other was a capital bond to fund a community center with a new pool, and to develop parks and trails. These measures would have added operationation dollars to the District Tax rate that was set in 1988.
Please click on the link above to take a post election survey. Your responses will help us to understand the needs and opinions of the our community.
1988: City of Hood River officials handing over the keys to HRVPRD Board.
A Little History
In 1988, Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District was formed to take over operation of the Hood River Aquatic Center, which the City of Hood River could no longer operate. Hood River Valley Parks & Rec is a “special governmental district” that is separate from the county and city. The District covers all of Hood River County EXCEPT the City of Cascade Locks.
In 1992, voters passed measure expanding the Disrict’s services to include providing and managing parks and trails, without increasing the tax rate.
Over the last 25 years, HRVPRD has built, managed, and maintained 7 parks and 6 miles of trail.
In 2017, a pool enclosure study revealed that pool had 3-5 years of useful life left.
In 2020, HRVPRD partnered with the school district to take over recreation programming when Community Education shuttered its doors due to the pandemic.
Culbertson Park, an HRVPRD owned and operated park in the Sieverkropp Neighborhood.
The pool used to be an outdoor, seasonal pool. In the 1990’s the tent was put on the pool to make it year round. The tent had a predicted lifespan of 10-20 years. The tent structure is going on 28 years and has deteriorated over the years. Due to wear and tear, many panels have to be replaced each year, and the west wall has to be patched.
A Few Questions + Answers
How does Hood River Parks + Rec make its money to run the pool, buy, build, and maintain parks and trails?
Taxes: $0.3498/$1000 Assessed Value (The average household pays about $8 per month that go to Parks + Rec.)
Revenue: Pool admissions, aquatic programming, recreational programming; some park programming
Grants: We apply for multiple grants each year. Over the past 3 years we have been awarded 7 grants, bringing in over $200K in outside money.
System Development Charges (SDCs): One time fees paid for new development (new houses, apartments, hotels, etc) to help plan for the future parks we will need to keep up with the growth in the community.
Isn’t that a lot of money?
Our tax rate hasn’t changed, even though we do more. We have one of the lower tax rates for Parks and Rec Districts in the state.
