Great schools and an abundance of parks are key elements of what makes Mercer Island a great place to live and raise a family. Islanders have always shown a great willingness to invest in our schools; on Nov. 4, you have the chance to do the same for our parks.

Do you know that Luther Burbank Park is eroding into the lake at the rate of a foot per year? Diseased trees are falling over in Pioneer Park. The ballfields that our kids play on are covered with mud for much of the year, resulting in unnecessary injuries, frequent cancellations of practices and games, and disappointed kids and parents. One look at the condition of the mud-ridden grass in Island Crest Park today shows how badly our parks have deteriorated and how they’re failing to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for recreational space.

Other communities in the area have pulled ahead of Mercer Island in investments in their parks, preserving open space and providing their kids with new playing surfaces that can be used safely year-round. On Nov. 4, we have the opportunity to catch up, to make our parks as great as our schools and keep them that way for years to come — at a cost to the average homeowner of just $0.26 per day. Please join me in voting YES on the parks bond and YES on the parks levy to preserve our parks and our quality of life.

Brian Emanuels

President, Mercer Island Little League