1

How do water and waste water districts and departments collaborate with larger

Regional Parks, Forest Preserves and Open Space Special Districts to further

urban water management goals?

Urban Water Sustainability Conference

October 3-5, 2011

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Water supply, source water protection, outdoor recreation, youth physical fitness,

trails, and environmental best practices are all evidenced in this photo. Taken on

the Occoquan Reservoir owned by the Fairfax Water Authority at the Sandy Run

Regional Park in Fairfax County, VA owned and operated by the Northern Virginia

Regional Park Authority.

2

Land conservation and employment of best management practices has long been

recognized by urban planners as a cost effective way of protecting drinking water

supplies and other green assets required as urban areas grow. About 16 States

authorize creation – under various terms and conditions - special districts with a

mission of acquiring and conserving local or regional natural, cultural and historic

assets and provide outdoor recreation. These lands provide a wide range of public

benefits including natural area public recreation, scenic parkways and

interconnecting non-motorized trails, regionally important historic and cultural

assets, protection of stream valleys and adjacent to flood plains, wetlands, wildlife

and highly erodible slopes, and wildlife habitat . Some are county in scope while

others are multi-jurisdictional making them ideal institutional platforms to

conserve land on an eco-system scale and to provide interconnected trail systems.

Most are found in or near urban areas. Called park, forest preserves or open space

special districts or independent multi jurisdictional park authorities collectively

they are termed special district parks. Like water and/or sewer special districts,

SPD’s are special purpose governments that exist as separate entities with

substantial administrative and fiscal independence from general purpose

governments. Based on a national survey conducted in 2010 of the larger SPD's, it

was found that many of these systems own and manage large expanses of natural

areas with the purpose of protecting drinking water supplies. Others maintain

trails adjacent to or on land that serves as utility corridors (regional sewer

systems, electric power lines, etc. Due to their unique revenue generation and

governance arrangements, most (thus far) have avoided the financial challenges

faced by State and municipal governments. Some have recently received voter

approval for bond issues to acquire more natural area parkland.

As special district governments these agencies have the potential to assist water

and sewer agencies in the management of their lands, provide experiential

environmental education to the public (particularly youth), and demonstrate best

environmental practices in their facilities, operations, and on their lands.

The materials that follow were obtained from a variety of sources, the primary one being the US Bureau of the Census. The Census data was last collected in 2002 and published in 2005 as was the collection of information on what type of parks are authorized by the various States. This was augmented by a benchmark survey of a number of special district parks conducted in October 2010 by a consortium of special district parks.

3

Presenters and discussion facilitators John O’Meara has served as Executive Director of Metro Parks since 1998. As Director, John oversees the operation of sixteen Metro Parks encompassing over 26,000 acres. Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks is the largest locally managed park system in Ohio. Annually over 6,500,000 visitors enjoy a trip to the Metro Parks. Prior to being appointed as Director of Metro Parks, John served as Director of Geauga Park District, Scenic River Coordinator for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Naturalist for Cleveland Metroparks and taught Natural Resource Conservation at a vocational high school. He received both a B.S. and M.S degrees from the School of Natural Resources at the Ohio State University. John lives in Columbus with his wife Helen. His son Peter is a student at The Ohio State University. John is an active participant in outdoor activities including hiking, canoeing, camping and mountain climbing. John may be reached at Bill Dickinson is Principal of the Environmental Policy Network located in Alexandria VA, a home based consulting firm specializing in US and State legislative matters impacting land conservation and public parks. Retired from US government career service, he held analytical and managerial positions in the Office of Management and Budget, Energy Department, and the Environmental Protection Agency. He served on special assignments with the US Congress and Department of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service assisting the latter in their water quality initiative with a special emphasis on environmental risk communication to primarily rural and agricultural audiences. For over 20 years he served as a citizen member of the conservation committee of the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America and assisted in the development of many BSA environmental initiatives. After leaving US government service, he was a founding board member of the Center for Watershed Protection and assisted in development and execution of their first strategic plan. The Center is now nationally recognized as an authoritative source of research based information and techniques regarding urban watershed management. As a Director on the Board of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority for twelve years, he was Chairman during a three year period of agency change, growth and restructuring. He also has been a trustee of the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation for the past six years

4

Bill is a graduate of Drew University (BA), the Maxwell School of Public Administration at Syracuse University (MPA), a park ranger for the Morris (NJ) Park Commission, Ford Foundation Fellow, contributor to a special study on special districts and public authorities, and a former LT USNR who served on naval ships in both the arctic and in SE Asia (Viet Nam era). He began his post graduate school career as a regional planner with the Delaware River Basin Commission. Bill may be reached at 703-370-3089 or bill.c.dickinson@gmail.com What are Park, Open Space, Forest Preserve Special Districts and similar independent park authorities and Commissions?

The US Bureau of Census collects data on all governments in the United States. Included are special district governments- defined as “…governmental units (other than school districts) that exist as separate entities with substantial administrative and fiscal independence from general purpose government.” (Italics and bold added). See http://www.census.gov/prod/2005pubs/gc024x2.pdf. Based on the 2005 Census report, there are about 1,300 special park, recreation and open space districts in the US. In terms of numbers, they predominate in Illinois (366), North Dakota (245), California (156), Ohio (101), and Colorado (65). They are authorized in about 10 other states although in most instances they are singular systems. In size they range from a single recreation park in a rural community to the 108,000 acre East Bay Regional Park District in which overlays two California counties. While there is variation in the legal powers of the districts and their missions depending on the respective State enabling legislation, together they constitute a unique class of special purpose governments. They have considerable potential for:

• The new urbanism - linking landscapes and communities – (See Mark Benedict and Edward McMahon – Green Infrastructure – The Conservation Fund – Island Press – 2006)

• Public land conservation on an eco-region basis -

• More efficient and flexible governmental structures – (See Nancy Burns – The

Formation of American Local Government - Private Values in Public Institutions - Oxford University Press – 1994)

• Advancing the goals set forth in President Obama’s American Great Outdoor

• Creation of seasonable employment particularly for youth close to urban areas

5

Special Park Districts are often overlooked as a separate class within the nation’s galaxy of public park institutions (Federal, Interstate, State, county and municipal) and their missions, governance, and financing confused with those of other land agencies. They are governed by elected or appointed boards and typically subject to all the procedural, ethical, procurement and FOIA rules applied to general purpose governments. They are substantially independent of both direct State and general-purpose local governments in their governance and method of financing. In some cases their jurisdiction and operations overlap more than one county, city, or local government. They may include, for example, a City and an adjoining unincorporated area. According to the US Bureau of Census definition of a park and recreation agency, their operations may include golf courses, public beaches and swimming pools, tennis courts, playing fields, open space parks, biking and hiking trails, camping areas, recreational piers and marinas, galleries, museums, zoos, botanical gardens, auditoriums, stadiums, recreation centers, convention centers, and exhibition halls: community music, drama and celebrations including public support of cultural activities. Governance is stipulated by State law and may provide for elected or appointed boards. Financing may include property tax levies, revenue from licenses and rentals, user fees and to a lesser degree State or local government contributions. All have the ability to issue bonds and can accept gifts and apply for grants and accept donations as a public agency. Revenue self sufficiency for operations can range as high as 80% and land holdings up to 108,000 acres. Note – all agencies in this listing as having annual budgets of $5Million or more (in 2002) according to US Census reports.

ALABAMA: State statues authorize the creation of: Park and Recreation Authorities These authorities are created with the filing of the articles of incorporation with the judge of probate by three applicants followed by resolution of the county of incorporation and participating municipalities. The composition and selection of the board of directors is specified in the articles of incorporation. The authorities may fix and collect fees and may issue bonds. Public Park Authorities These authorities are created by the resolutions of the governing bodies of two or more counties or municipalities after application by three or more natural persons. The composition and Selection of the board is specified in the agreement. The authorities may fix and collect fees and may issue bonds. Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Commission

LOUISUANA: The East Baton Rouge Recreation and Park Commission was created by special act. The nine-member board of commissioners includes the mayor-president, a member of the school board, a member of the planning commission, and six members appointed by the Metropolitan council. The commission may levy property taxes and issue bonds with voter approval.

6

ILLINOIS: The State authorizes creation of a wide variety of special districts considered as governments. A total of 3,249 such agencies classified by the US Census as special purpose governments have been created. Functions range from airports (including interstate), museums, hospitals, fire and ambulance, regional arts and cultural activities, to public transportation and forest preserves. General Park Districts may be created with populations less than 500,000. Township park districts and pleasure driveway and park districts, established under earlier law, may continue or reorganize as general park districts. A general park district is established by the circuit court judge upon voter petition and after referendum. Each general park district and township park district is governed by an elected board of trustees or commissioners. Each pleasure driveway and park district is governed by either an elected or appointed board of trustees. Park districts may set fees; issue bonds, and levy property taxes. Tax levies may require voter approval. The Chicago Park District was created by a special act and is governed by a board of seven commissioners appointed by the major with the approval of Chicago City Council. The district has the same revenue powers as other Illinois park districts. The Metro –East Park and Recreation District was created by referendum in Madison and St. Clair counties. Other counties in the area are permitted to join. The district is governed by a board appointed by the governing bodies of the two counties and may issue bonds and impose sales taxes and fees. The Prairie Trail Authority was created by special act to maintain a system of linked pathways and bicycle trails. Do Page, Kane, lake and McHenry and Will counties are eligible to participate. This authority is governed by a board of directors appointed by the president of the local conservation district or local forest preserve district. Each county’s representation is based on population. The authority determines the contributions of the member counties. River Conservation Districts are established by the circuit court judge upon voter petition and referendum to prevent stream pollution, conserve and protect water supplies, and promote public health. A board of trustees governs each district; the trustees are appointed by county, municipal or township officials depending on the area and population served. The districts may, with voter approval, issue bonds. Special Recreation Associations may be established by two or more park districts or municipalities and are governed by boards described in the creating agreements. The Associations may set fees and the participating governments may set and levy property taxes on behalf of the associations. Forest Preserve Districts (county, municipal, and other) may be created to preserve forests for recreational use and for control of flood waters within a single county. The districts are

7

established by the circuit judge upon voter petition, after hearings and referendum, if such a district is coterminous with a county, municipality or sanitary district, then that government serves ex-officio as the board of the forest preserve district. When not immediately adjacent, a five member board is appointed by the presiding officer of the county governing body with the advice and consent of that body. In Cook County, the board of county commissioners governs the Cook County Forest Preserve District. The district may receive the proceeds of taxes levied by the parent county or municipal government, may set rates for use of facilities, and, with voter approval, may issue bonds. It should be noted that in Illinois, park districts tend to have as their primary mission community recreation (e.g. active sports), outdoor event facilities, golf courses, and historic preservation and interpretation. Many Illinois park districts indicated in the 2010 survey that they protected open space and maintained it in a natural state although this typically was in the 10-20 % of all the land owned by the park district. Total land holdings of a typical Illinois park district were in the hundreds of acres with the exception of the Chicago Park District which is considerably larger. Forest Preserves and Conservation Districts have as their primary mission maintaining open space, protection of stream valleys and flood plains. The range in total acreages owned by an Illinois Forest Preserve - based on those responding to the survey- ranged from 2,400 to 28,000 acres.

Addison Park District Arlington Heights Park District Bartlett Park District Barrington Park District Batavia Park District Belvidere Park District Bensenville Park District Bolingbrook Park District Burr Ridge Park District Carol Stream Park District Carry Park District Champaign Park District

Channahon Park District Collinsville Area Recreation District

Crystal Lake Park District Darien Park District Decatur Park District Deerfield Park District DeKalb Park District Des Plains Park District Downers Grove Park District Dundee Township Park District Elk Grove Park District

Elmhurst Park District Foss Park District Fox Valley Park District Frankfort Square Park District Frankfort Park District Freeport Park District

Fondulac Park District Geneva Park District Glencoe Park District Glen Ellyn Park District Glenview Park District

Grayslake Park District Gurnee Park District Hanover Park District Highland Park Park District

Hoffman Estates Park District Huntley Park District Itasca Park District Joliet Park District

8

Lake County Parks and Recreation Lemont Park District Lindehurst Park District Lisle Park District Lockport Park District Lombard Park District Manhattan Park District McHenry County Conservation District Metro East Park and Recreation District (Note: does not own any land or operate programs but rather obtain grants and funding for others) Mount Prospect Park District Mundelein Park District Naperville Park District New Lenox Community Park District Niles Park District Northbrook Park District Oak Brook Park District Oak Lawn Park District Oak Park Park District Oswegoland Park District Palatine Park District

Park District of Forest Park Park District of Franklin Park Park Ridge Recreation and Park District Pekin Park District Plainfield Park District Pleasure Driveway and Park District of Peoria County

(Also known as Peoria Park District) Pleasant Dale Park District Quincy Park District River Trails Park District Rockford Park District Rolling Meadows Park District Roselle Park District Round Lake Area Park District Saint Charles Park District Schaumburg Park District South Barrington Park District Skokie Park District Springfield Park District Streamwood Park District Sycamore Park District Tinley Park Park District Urbana Park District Vernon Hills Park District Veterans Park District (1) Waukegan Park District West Chicago Park District Westmont Park District Wheaton Park District Wheeling Park District Wilmette Park District Winnetka Park District Woodridge Park District Zion Park District

OTHER PARKS – ILLINOIS Chicago Park District

FOREST PRESERVES - ILLINOIS

Champaign County Forest Preserve District Forest Preserve District of Du Page County Forest Preserve District of Kane County

Forest Preserve District of Will County Forest Preserve of Cook County Kendall County Forest Preserve Lake County Forest Preserves

Winnebago County Forest Preserve

9

INDIANA: State law provides for two types of special park districts:

• Area park districts may be established under general law by the ordinances of two or more counties. The governing board consists of members appointed by each participating county with representation in proportion to population. The area park districts may set and levy ad valorem taxes

• Joint park districts may be created by two or more neighboring cities or towns by

ordinance. The park boards of the cities and towns uniting constitute a joint park board. The joint park board determines the amount of money that each participating government must appropriate for the support of the district.

Lake County Parks MICHIGAN: The State currently has 456 special district governments ranging in function from swimming pools, mass transit, to hospitals. Metropolitan Councils provide a range of public improvements and services including water supply, sewerage, solid waste collection and disposal, parks and recreation, transit, higher education, economic development and planning. Between two or more local governments subject to a backdoor referendum. Recreational authorities may be created by two or more counties, cities, villages, townships, or voting districts within a county or municipality. Voter approval of an ad valorem tax and the articles of incorporation are filed with the State. Huron Clinton Metropolitan Authority St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Commission MINNESOTA : The State currently has 456 special district governments ranging in function from airports to libraries. Park districts are authorized only for counties with 35K or more inhabitants; adjoining counties may also be included in the district. Establishment is by the board of county commissioners following a petition of the voters or a resolution adopted by a majority of the governing bodies of the cities within each counties in the proposed district; local referendum is required if petitioned for or if the county commissioners so require. Single county park districts are coterminous with the county but exclude first-class cities (i.e. more than 100K inhabitants). Multicounty park districts may include all or part of two or more counties, exclusive of first class cities. An elected board of park district commissioners governs each district. The district may fix charges, issue revenue bonds, and, with voter approval, issue general obligation bonds. The district may also determine the amount to be contributed by each participating government; these funds are raised by the governments through property taxes. The Three Rivers Park District was established under this law to provide park facilities in Hennepin County. Three Rivers Park District

10

OREGON: The State authorizes creation of a wide variety of special districts that are considered governments. Three types of special district are relevant this listing Metro These districts are authorized to provide sewerage or solid waste disposal services; public transportation and transit facilities; cultural, convention, and sports facilities; parks and recreation facilities; metropolitan zoo facilities; regional planning; and other public services. It was formed under a general law with special application to the Portland metropolitan area (Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties) by petition or resolution of the largest city in the district to the county governing body of the largest county in the district, after local referendum. An elected council governs the district. The district may set vehicle registration fees; levy excise taxes; fix and collect service or user charges; levy special assessments; and issue revenue bonds. With voter approval, the district may levy ad valorem taxes and income taxes and issue general obligation bonds. Park and Recreation Districts These districts are established by the county governing body on petition of voters or landowners, after a public hearing. If a district is located in a single county, the county board may initiate the formation. A referendum is required only if petitioned. An elected board governs each district. The districts may levy ad valorem taxes and, upon voter approval, issue revenue and general obligation bonds. Park Commissions in Cities of 3,000 or More Oregon law authorizes park commissions in cities with a population of 3,000 or more. The city governing body submits the question of formation for referendum. The board of park commissioners consists of the mayor, the city engineer or city auditor, and five citizens appointed by the circuit court. The commissions may set ad valorem taxes. They also may set special taxes with voter approval. Bend Metro Parks and Recreation District Chehalem Parks and Recreation District Metro Regional Parks and Green Spaces (Metro – Portland) Portland Parks and Recreation Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District Willamalane Parks and Recreation District Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District SOUTH CAROLINA: South Carolina statutes authorize creation of a wide variety of special districts considered as governments. A total of 299 such agencies now exist ranging in function from airports, arenas, to gas and electric and water and sewer providers. A number of recreation districts to provide, operate and maintain recreational facilities have been established by special acts of the South Carolina legislature; similar provision apply to each. A board appointed by the Governor on

11

recommendation of the legislative delegation, or by the county council, or both, governs each district. The district may impose user charges and accept grants. Some individual districts may also levy ad valorem taxes and issue bonds. South Carolina’s Residential Improvement District Act, amended in 2008, (§6-35-10 thru 20) authorizes special assessments against real property within a district to provide for public infrastructure “improvements” such as “parkway, park, and playground “as well as for many other enumerated purposes. Those recreational districts that lack substantial fiscal autonomy (i.e. the power to set their own budgets or to receive revenue other than grants or appropriations) are not counted by Census as separate governments.

Charleston Parks and Recreation Commission Greenville County Recreation District Richland County Recreation Commission Irma-Chapin Recreation Commission VIRGINIA: Park Authorities may be created in Virginia by resolution of a combination of counties, cities or towns to provide park facilities and in some cases, may be created by referendum. The authority board is appointed by the member governments. Members of the governing body of the member governments may be appointed to the authority board but may not compose a majority. The authorities may fix fees for use of the park facilities and issue revenue bonds. Authorities that encompass only a single county or municipality are not counted by Census as separate governments. Although authorized by the Virginia Park Authorities Act of 1950, the only remaining park authority recognized by Census as a special park district is the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority that was formally created in 1959. Beginning with three member jurisdictions it is now composed of three counties and three independent cities, The Act does not provide for tax levies or other mechanisms by which to generate income. Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority

WASHINGTON: State statutes authorize creation of a wide variety of special districts considered as governments. A total of 1,229 such agencies ranging in function from air pollution control, cultural arts , stadium and convention facilities, housing, to providing water and sewer services. Three categories of special district governments in Washington are relevant to this listing: Metropolitan Municipal Corporations: Washington State general law provides that any area containing two or more cities, one of which is a city of 10K or more, may organize as a metropolitan municipal corporation for one or more of the following metropolitan functions:

12

sewage disposal, water supply, public transportation, garbage disposal, parks and parkways, and planning. Establishment is by approval of the voters at an election that has called either by 1) resolution of the council of a central city, resolution of the councils of two or more components cities other than a central city or 2) resolution of the board of commissioners of a central city, or petition of the voters of the metropolitan area. The metropolitan corporation is governed by a council consisting of elected officials of the component counties and cities. It may fix fees and charges, issue revenue bonds, and, with voter approval, issue general obligation bonds. They may also levy retail sales and use tax and a motor vehicle excise tax for public transportation purposes for public transportation purposes upon voter approval. A 1-year property tax may only be submitted for voter approval at the establishing election. If income is insufficient, participating towns and cities may make supplemental payments to the corporation. Metropolitan Park Districts: A city of 5K or more in population plus contagious area may establish a metropolitan park district by an election that has been called either by petition of the voters or by the city council on its own initiative. An elected board of park commissioners governs each district. Voter approval is necessary for bond issues that exceed a specified percentage of the assessed value of the property in the district. Park and Recreation Districts: General law authorizes formation of park and recreation districts upon petition of voters after hearings and voter approval. An elected board of commissioners governs each district. The district may fix rates and charges and issue bonds. Upon voter approval, the district may issue ad valorem taxes. Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park and Recreation District Si View Metropolitan Park District Tacoma Metropolitan Park District Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation? CALIFORNIA: State statutes provides for a number of types of recreation and park districts including recreation and park districts, regional park, open space, and park and open space park districts. Recreational and park districts may be created by petition of the voters or by the initiative of city or county governing bodies subject to the approval by a local government formation commission and public referendum. The district board of directors may be elected or appointed by the mayors and/or county supervisors. The district may levy taxes and issue bonds with voter approval. Regional Park and open space districts are established by the board of supervisors of one or more counties on petition or may be initiated by resolution of the board of supervisors after hearing and subject to approval by the local agency formation commission and public referendum. The district may levy taxes and issue bonds with voter approval. A number of agencies have been established in California under the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement where county, municipal or special district governments exercise powers common to all of them. Federal and State governments may also participate. Agencies established under

13

such agreements may receive contributions from participating governments – and if specified by the agreement – may fix charges and issue bonds. Census classifies such agencies as dependent.

Chico Area recreation and Park District East Bay Regional Park District Hayward Area Recreation and Park District El Dorado Hills Community Service District Greater Vallejo Recreation District Hesperia Recreation and Park District Livermore Area Recreation and Park District Marin County Parks and Open Space County Park Department Mendocino Coast Recreation and Park District Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space District

Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority * North of the River Recreation and Park District Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District Ranch Simi Recreation and Park District Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District Southgate Recreation and Park District Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District Valley Wide Recreation and Park District Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority

COLORADO: Under Colorado’s Special District Act, metropolitan districts may provide and two or more of the following services: domestic water, sanitation, solid waste collection and disposal, fire protection, parks and recreation, public transportation, safety protection, mosquito control, street improvements, and television relay and translator facilities. These districts are created by the district court after approval of service plans by local governing bodies which is then followed by petition of taxpaying voters, public hearings and voter approval. Districts may include all or part of one or more municipalities or counties and may include noncontiguous areas. An elected board governs each district. The districts may levy ad valorem taxes and special assessments, fix fees and charges for service, and issue both revenue and, subject to voter approval, general obligation bonds. County parks and recreation districts established by resolution of county governments are not considered by Census as separate governments. Apex Park and Recreation District Arapahoe Park and Recreation District Evergreen Park and Recreation District Foothills Park and Recreation District Hyland Hills Metro Park and Recreation District Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District

South Suburban Metro Recreation and Park District Hyland Hills Metro Park and Recreation District Denver Metropolitan Scientific and Cultural Affairs District Foothill Park and Recreation District

14

NORTH DAKOTA: State law authorizes two or more contiguous counties to form a joint county park district. Each district is governed by a joint board of commissioners which is composed of two members from each county; each county board of commissioners appoints one of its own members and one additional member. The board may levy ad valorem taxes after voter approval. Fargo Park District Bismark Parks and Recreation District OHIO : State law authorizes creation of:

• Park districts by county probate judges on petition of the voters governed by a board of park commissioners appointed by the probate judge. The district may issue bonds and may levy ad valorem taxes and benefit assessments.

• Township park districts are created by the court of common pleas on voter petition to the township trustees. They are governed by boards of park commissioners appointed by the court of common pleas or, if in the unincorporated area of the township, by the board of township trustees. The district may impose charges, levy ad valorem taxes, and – upon voter approval - issue bonds.

• Joint recreation districts are created by townships, municipalities, counties, boards of township park commissions, boards of education, and other political subdivisions. The district is governed by a board of trustees appointed by the member governments. The district may issue bonds which are paid for by sales and use tax levies.

Anderson Township Park District Centerville Washington Park District Clermont County Park District Cleveland Metropolitan Park District Columbus and Franklin County Metropolitan Park District Five Rivers Park District Geauga County Park District Hamilton County Park District Lake Metro Parks Lorrain County Metro Parks

Medina County Park District Metro Parks of the Toledo Area Hancock Park District Jonny Appleseed Metro Park District Metro Parks serving Summit County Miami County Park District Mill Creek Metro Parks O.O. McIntyre Park District Portage Park District Preservation Parks of Delaware County Stark County Park District

The Olander Park System ______________________________________________________________- Questions, additions and/ or errors should be directed to Bill Dickinson, at Bill.c.dickinson@gmail.com

15

Occoquan Reservoir, Fairfax County, VA – Photo Courtesy of th Northern Virginia

Regional Parks Authority