Bend, OR – The La Pine Park & Recreation District (LPRD) has been grappling with significant financial challenges, which came to a head with the resignation of its previous board. In the aftermath of staff layoffs and service closures, a new board has taken charge, determined to steer the district toward financial stability and community trust.

Former board member Deren Ash pointed to the lack of an active administration as the primary reason for staff layoffs, explaining that without an operational team, there was no one to process payroll. Despite years of financial strain, Ash argued that the district had always found ways to make things work, and that the real catalyst for the board’s resignation was the harassment from concerned parents, not the district’s financial problems.

The tension surrounding the district had been building for some time, with complaints from parents and community members about a lack of transparency and accountability within the previous administration. These concerns reached a boiling point when a letter from local parents, expressing frustration over the state of youth programs, was deemed “threatening” by the outgoing board. In response to growing pressure, the district temporarily suspended its services in late September, citing harassment faced by its staff.

However, current board members insist that the financial instability was the true root cause of the district’s downfall. Board Chair Joel Brader described community complaints as the “straw that broke the camel’s back,” stressing that the district’s financial woes were the primary issue. “There’s always going to be upset parents. I’ve been an upset parent,” Brader remarked. “That isn’t what broke it. What broke it was they were financially unstable.”

Carlos Soto, a current board member, echoed Brader’s sentiment, pointing to the lack of oversight under the previous administration. He noted that efforts to fundraise often fell short, and standard office and operating expenses had spiraled out of control.

Inheriting a district deeply in debt, the new board now faces the difficult task of rebuilding. Bills from the previous administration, some 14 months overdue, have created an immediate financial burden. With annual revenue from property taxes totaling about $370,000, the district struggles to cover all operating costs, including program funding, park maintenance, and building upkeep. The district’s tax rate, unchanged since 2009, has been insufficient to meet the growing expenses, and recent attempts to pass a levy increase have failed.

For Brader, the financial constraints are clear. “Even with the negative we see every day, we see positive growth toward rebuilding this district,” he said. The board is now focusing on cutting costs where possible and finding new ways to increase revenue, such as renting out office spaces, seeking grants, and hosting fundraising events.

Moving forward, the new board has hired a new facilities coordinator and reintroduced some community services, including several parks and events at the Community Center. They are also in talks with local nonprofits and community organizations to help run youth programs. Soto emphasized that the goal is to have all district programs, including youth sports, adult recreation, and after-school activities, fully operational by 2027.

In an effort to foster transparency and rebuild trust with the community, the new board held an open house on January 11, inviting residents to meet the new board members and ask questions. Soto believes that the district is making progress, stating, “We’ve done a really good job at picking up the pieces and putting it back together. The community has actually started opening up now. They’re starting to come around with this new board, seeing what we’re doing and how we’re making a stand.”

As the La Pine Park & Recreation District works to recover from its financial troubles, the new board is committed to rebuilding both its financial foundation and its relationship with the community. The hope is that with continued effort and transparency, the district can overcome its challenges and emerge stronger in the years to come.