THPRD facilitates easier participation for patrons living outside district boundaries

Beginning in January, with the start of THPRD’s 2015 winter class term, patrons who live outside the district’s service area can choose a new payment option that will save money for some participating in classes.

In lieu of paying the quarterly or annual assessment that THPRD requires, a patron may opt to instead pay a 25% premium for each class taken.

“If you are a family of five and everyone is in classes and camps, you probably want to continue to pay the assessment,” explained Aisha Willits, director of Planning. “But if you just plan to take one or two classes, it makes more sense financially to pay the premium.”

For example, a patron who only wants to take one $82 painting class at Cedar Hills Recreation Center has more incentive to sign up if the premium is $20.50 (25% premium) instead of $80 (the quarterly assessment fee as of Jan. 1, 2015).

THPRD charges the assessment fee to out-of-district users to help offset the property taxes that in-district residents pay. Out-of-district users can choose to pay the assessment quarterly or annually.

“This new option removes a barrier to participation for families outside the district without compromising the benefits enjoyed by members of our tax base,” Willits said. “In fact, we believe our in-district residents will benefit as increased participation allows more classes to reach minimum enrollment.”

The option to pay the 25% per-class premium will apply to all classes that begin after Jan. 1, 2015. It will also apply to passes, drop-in swimming (pictured) and sports and fitness programs, significantly reducing drop-in fees for out-of-district guests. The per-class premium cannot be used for facility rentals.

To further encourage participation from patrons outside THPRD’s service area, the district has shortened the out-of-district registration delay from six days to two.

Winter registration opens on Saturday, Dec. 13, for district residents. Registration for out-of-district residents begins, by phone or online, on Monday, Dec. 15. Walk-in registration begins on Tuesday, Dec. 16, for out-of-district residents, one day after in-district residents can register at any THPRD center.

The district’s review of out-of-district fees was recommended in the district’s 2013 Comprehensive Plan Update to help programs achieve cost recovery targets. All procedural changes were approved by the board of directors in August 2014 following public surveys and meetings.

Out-of-district residents who live within THPRD’s ultimate service area can voluntarily annex to the district. Annexed properties are considered in-district, meaning their residents get priority registration for THPRD programs and in-district rates for classes without having to pay an assessment fee. Those who apply by Oct. 10 will get a $500 voucher to use for programs and classes, and the park district will pay all annexation processing costs. For more information, call 503-629-6305.

About the 2013 Comprehensive Plan Update

The 2013 Comprehensive Plan Update helps further the mission of THPRD, and determines additional service needs that can be provided in harmony with other recreation providers. The 10‐year plan – an update of the 2006 Comprehensive Plan – focuses on immediate, short‐term, and longer‐term capital development and improvement strategies that correspond to the community’s unmet needs and priority investments for critical parks and recreation services. It was created with a consultant team, which integrated financial, environmental, and social sustainability concepts into all aspects of the district’s planning in an effort to improve parks, facilities and recreational opportunities for the greater Beaverton area.