How do we develop better partnerships between water and or sewer special districts and similar city or county departments with SPD's. This includes new approaches to financing both land acquisition and the cost of managing the protected land.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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 Channahon Park District
Arlington Heights Park District Collinsville Area Recreation District
Bartlett Park District Crystal Lake Park District
Barrington Park District Darien Park District
Batavia Park District Decatur Park District
Belvidere Park District Deerfield Park District
Bensenville Park District DeKalb Park District
Bolingbrook Park District Des Plains Park District
Burr Ridge Park District Downers Grove Park District
Carol Stream Park District Dundee Township Park District
Carry Park District Elk Grove Park District
Champaign Park District
Elmhurst Park District Fondulac Park District
Foss Park District Geneva Park District
Fox Valley Park District Glencoe Park District
Frankfort Square Park District Glen Ellyn Park District
Frankfort Park District Glenview Park District
Freeport Park District
Grayslake Park District Hoffman Estates Park District
Gurnee Park District Huntley Park District
Hanover Park District Itasca Park District
Highland Park Park District Joliet Park District

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Lake County Parks and Recreation (Also known as Peoria Park District)
Lemont Park District Pleasant Dale Park District
Lindehurst Park District Quincy Park District
Lisle Park District River Trails Park District
Lockport Park District Rockford Park District
Lombard Park District Rolling Meadows Park District
Manhattan Park District Roselle Park District
McHenry County Conservation District Round Lake Area Park District
Metro East Park and Recreation District Saint Charles Park District
(Note: does not own any land or operate programs Schaumburg Park District
but rather obtain grants and funding for others)
South Barrington Park District
Mount Prospect Park District
Skokie Park District
Mundelein Park District
Springfield Park District
Naperville Park District
Streamwood Park District
New Lenox Community Park District
Sycamore Park District
Niles Park District
Tinley Park Park District
Northbrook Park District
Urbana Park District
Oak Brook Park District
Vernon Hills Park District
Oak Lawn Park District
Veterans Park District (1)
Oak Park Park District
Waukegan Park District
Oswegoland Park District
West Chicago Park District
Palatine Park District
Westmont Park District
Park District of Forest Park
Wheaton Park District
Park District of Franklin Park
Wheeling Park District
Park Ridge Recreation and Park District
Wilmette Park District
Pekin Park District
Winnetka Park District
Plainfield Park District
Woodridge Park District
Pleasure Driveway and Park District of
Zion Park District
Peoria County
OTHER PARKS – ILLINOIS
Chicago Park District
FOREST PRESERVES - ILLINOIS
Champaign County Forest Preserve Forest Preserve District of Will County
District Forest Preserve of Cook County
Forest Preserve District of Du Page County Kendall County Forest Preserve
Forest Preserve District of Kane County Lake County Forest Preserves
Winnebago County Forest Preserve

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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

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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

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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:

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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

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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 Mountains Recreation and Conservation
Hayward Area Recreation and Park Authority *
District North of the River Recreation and Park
El Dorado Hills Community Service District
District Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District
Greater Vallejo Recreation District Ranch Simi Recreation and Park District
Hesperia Recreation and Park District Santa Clara County Open Space Authority
Livermore Area Recreation and Park Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation
District and Open Space District
Marin County Parks and Open Space Southgate Recreation and Park District
County Park Department Truckee Donner Recreation and Park
Mendocino Coast Recreation and Park District
District Valley Wide Recreation and Park District
Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District Western Riverside County Regional
Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space Conservation Authority
District
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 South Suburban Metro Recreation and
Arapahoe Park and Recreation District Park District
Evergreen Park and Recreation District
Foothills Park and Recreation District Hyland Hills Metro Park and Recreation
Hyland Hills Metro Park and Recreation District
District Denver Metropolitan Scientific and
Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park Cultural Affairs District
District Foothill Park and Recreation District

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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 Medina County Park District
Centerville Washington Park District Metro Parks of the Toledo Area
Clermont County Park District Hancock Park District
Cleveland Metropolitan Park District Jonny Appleseed Metro Park District
Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks serving Summit County
Metropolitan Park District Miami County Park District
Five Rivers Park District Mill Creek Metro Parks
Geauga County Park District O.O. McIntyre Park District
Hamilton County Park District Portage Park District
Lake Metro Parks Preservation Parks of Delaware County
Lorrain County Metro Parks 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

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