What is a Metropolitan Park District (MPD)?

A MPD is a junior property taxing district with special taxing authority for the management, control, improvement, maintenance, and acquisition of parks, pathways, boulevards, recreational facilities, programs, and services.

How much will this cost?

The Tumwater Metropolitan Park District Board will set the tax rate. Current projections have targeted revenues for the first five years of the district at $1.5 million annually which at 2019 assessed values would be a rate of 45 cents per $1,000 assessed property value. The rate increases in 2026 to 75 cents per $1,000 assessed property value generating projected revenue of $2.5 million annually.

How will MPD revenue be collected?

The MPD tax will be a component of property owners’ annual Thurston County property tax assessment administered by Thurston County.

What area is included within the MPD?

The Tumwater MPD includes the entire area within the municipal boundaries of the City of Tumwater as they currently exist as well as they may exist as the result of future annexations.

Who pays this tax?

Property owners within the boundaries of the City of Tumwater pay this tax.

Would this tax expire?

The tax does not expire.

Who governs the Tumwater MPD?

The MPD is governed by the Tumwater Metropolitan Park District Board consisting of the Tumwater City Council.

When will the tax go into effect?

The tax will appear on tax bills beginning in 2019.

Can MPD funds be used for other City of Tumwater needs?

No, by state law, MPD funds can only be utilized for parks and recreation-related facilities, programs, and services.

How will MPD revenue be spent?

MPD funds will be spent on park development, maintenance, trails and recreational programs and facilities as outlined in the Parks and Recreation Plan or annual capital and operating budgets approved by City Council.

Who determines what the MPD revenue will be spent on?

The City Council, in its role as the Tumwater Metropolitan Park District Board, will approve the MPD budget.

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Contact Us

If you have additional questions or need more information about the proposed Metropolitan Park District, contact Chuck Denney at (360) 754-4160.

Maintain, Improve, and Build

Parks, Playgrounds & Trails | Community Center | Public Pool Property
Cultural Heritage, Community Arts & Recreation Programs

Approved by voters in the November 6, 2018 General Election, Proposition 1 authorizes the formation of a Metropolitan Park District that will collect property tax to maintain, improve, and build parks, trails and recreation programs. While a legally separate entity, the District will have the same boundaries as the City and be governed by the City Council. 

Approval of this measure provides dedicated and sustainable funding for Tumwater’s Parks and Recreation programs and facilities. This will extend the useful life of our most used parks and playgrounds, address safety and security issues, invest in underserved neighborhoods, improve energy efficiency, and preserve new open spaces.

Proposition No. 1 will fund these priorities:

• Parks and playgrounds maintenance and safety;
• New neighborhood parks, playgrounds, and restrooms;
• Community Center with meeting and event space, senior services, indoor sports courts, and land for a future public swimming pool;
• Trail expansion along the Deschutes River Valley; and
• Community arts and cultural heritage programs, historic properties, recreation programs, and a community garden.

With funding from a Metropolitan Park District, the City would spend $1.5 million annually for our parks, playgrounds, and trails improvements in the first five years.

Why Parks?  Why Now?

The City has invested in parks, trails, and open spaces over the years, but there are no dedicated revenue sources to maintain and improve those properties.

Over the years, City Council and staff have taken a number of cost-savings actions to streamline and increase operational efficiency as revenues have declined for parks and recreation programs and facilities.

The City's general fund cannot support the ongoing costs of operation, maintenance and acquisition of new park lands, recreational facilities and staffing at a level which will meet the growing needs and desires of the our residents.

How Did We Get Here?

In 2008 the Tumwater Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan identified a lack of dedicated and sustainable funding for park facilities and recreation programs. At that time there was discussion about identifying additional funding sources, but there were other priorities for which the City sought voter support, such as public safety and street maintenance ballot measures. 

In 2016, the Tumwater Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan was updated, and the City Council approved the formation of a task force to study and make a recommendation that would provide an adequate funding source for park facilities and recreation programs. The Task Force conducted a community-wide survey and studied the results, and then recommended the creation of a Metropolitan Park District, with specific program and facility improvements to the City Council. 

In 2018, Tumwater City Council unanimously voted to include the Metropolitan Park District measure on the November 6 General Election ballot to provide dedicated sustainable funding to maintain, improve and build park facilities and recreation programs.

Metropolitan Park District Election Information

Creating a Metropolitan Park District: Parks Plan, Community Survey, and Council Resolution

Metropolitan Park District Presentation 
Tumwater City Council Resolution
Tumwater Parks Plan 
Tumwater Parks Community Survey 

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Contact Us

If you have additional questions or need more information about the Metropolitan Park District, contact Chuck Denney at (360) 754-4160.

Based on what criteria are grants awarded?

The ability to describe:

• Structural details of the garden
• Operation Plan for the garden - who it serves, management, goals
• Expected benefits that the garden will have on the community
• Sustainability plans for the garden
• Garden project budget

Who is eligible to apply for the grant?

• Gardens that are a registered with the Internal Revenue Service as nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization 
• Gardens that are operated by a business or community organization that can act as a fiscal sponsor

How do I know if my garden is located in the City of Tumwater?

• Your parcel ID will be used to determine whether the property is located in Tumwater. If you do not know your parcel ID, you can find it by visiting the Thurston County Assessor website or by calling (360) 867-2200. Garden grant applications must include a Parcel ID (i.e. 010-067474).

What items are eligible to include in my funding request?

• Seeds, plants, soil, tools, garden equipment, contracted services such as rental vehicle, fence installer, assistance with water line/meter, water conservation tools, small signs, lumber for raised beds, and health/safety items such as a hand washing station.

What items are NOT eligible for funding?

• Operating or administration expenses such as salaries, travel, computer equipment, marketing materials, refreshments, garden accessories, large signage, seeds, transplants, trees and flower only-projects. Questions on eligibility should be referred to the Parks and Recreation Program Manager.

How are grant awards announced?

• If your community garden project has been awarded a grant, you will receive a confirmation email. 

How and when are funding payments issued?

• Payment for approved expenses (not to exceed $20,000) will be issued after a follow-up report with photos and itemized receipts have been submitted. No funds will be released until these documents are received.