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closeEd Robison looks to gain seat on Key Pen Parks board
Understanding fiscal constraints vital to department
Nate Hulings
of the Gateway
Ed Robison is running for a seat on the Key Peninsula Metropolitan Parks board of directors, and he has a history of volunteering with the department.
“I’ve done a lot of work with them to get parks organized and running better,” he said.
Robison, a licensed structural engineer, volunteered to help design the picnic shelter at Home Park, which opened last summer. He also worked with Pierce County and the parks district on a site development plan.
Robison also volunteered to advise the department on Taylor Bay and Volunteer Park projects.
Volunteerism is important for the success of the parks department, Robison said.
“The parks department has very little funding,” he said. “The only way to get things accomplished is a lot volunteers.”
While Robison admitted he doesn’t expect additional funding from taxpayers, he’s confident that the parks’ recent land expansions can only be handled if there’s a mix of professional staff and volunteers.
The community has to feel a sense of ownership in order for parks to thrive, he said.
“We have to have a fair amount of community buy-in,” Robison said. “Unless people are putting their own time into it, people don’t appreciate the parks. They won’t take care of it. They won’t watch out for it.”
Robison said the parks department has been good at understanding fiscal restraints and not letting ambitions grow greater than available resources.
He also would like to see the parks department continue to work with community groups, and find grants for alternative labor and funding.
“That’s the only way we’ll be able to move forward with the parks with limited funding,” Robison said.
If he’s elected, Robison said he’d like to see the newly acquired land transform into viable parks for the community.
“We need to come up with a plan now,” he said.
Robison also worked with park selection and contract committees for the upcoming master plan for Volunteer Park. The two-step master plan will involve public opinion on what should be done at the park prior to final adoption.
Robison and his wife Lori have been married for 24 years and have four children. They have lived in the Gig Harbor area for the past nine years.
For fun, Robison enjoys competing in triathlons; he’s competed in four just this year.
Taking care of his home and property are also high on his list.
“Mostly I try to get my work done around here,” he said. “My property really takes a lot of time, currently.”