A Tax Levy to Support our Park

The need for regular, reliable income to fund the operation of Underwood Park is more clear than ever before. This fall, Friends of Underwood are encouraging all residents of Underwood to VOTE YES on the tax levy to support the Underwood Park and Recreation District in their mission to maintain and development this exceptional community resource.

Important FAQ’s

The UPRD was created by the voters of Underwood in November 2016 to support and maintain the Underwood Park, Community Center, and Post Office. Ownership of the Underwood Park property and buildings was deeded to the residents of Underwood this year. With ownership came responsibility for all the expenses formerly paid by the County. Insurance, utilities, and repairs must be paid by the UPRD, as well as any future improvements. The UPRD has made a budget, available on the website underwoodcommunity.org, which shows that the rental income and usage fees generated by the buildings and property will not cover those expenses. Donations and grants will only add an irregular amount of income to the UPRD bank account. The need for regular, reliable income to fund the operation of Underwood Park is now more clear than ever before.

The Underwood Park is so much more than a public outdoor place for gathering! Our property is home to a children’s playground, tennis courts, a horseshoe court, basketball courts, pickleball courts, a community garden and resource room, baseball and soccer fields, an outdoor horse arena, covered picnic areas with a community BBQ, and a Community Center with a gym, stage, kitchen and a meeting room available for community events and programming. The UPRD also manages the rental cottage and post office building on park grounds, next to the Community Center and playground.

  • The property and buildings are historically significant to the region.
  • The park offers facilities, services, and events for the entire family, many of which are free of charge.
  • The Park and Community Center are centrally located for community gatherings, picnics, public meetings, rummage sales, cultural events, recreation, and educational programming.
  • Event space is available for rent at a reasonable cost to community members for family reunions, birthday parties, weddings, meetings, athletic events, and more.
  • The Community Center is being equipped to serve as Underwood’s hub for emergency services should a crisis arise. 

Did you know that Underwood is geographically isolated in the event of a major emergency? Underwood is 20+/- miles from Stevenson, the county seat. When an emergency occurs, we will be mostly on our own for some time. The UPRD plans to make the Underwood Community Center an official emergency facility, complete with a generator and other essentials. Underwood Park is the only potential Emergency Shelter in Underwood (or at the eastern end of Skamania County).

The proposed tax levy is for $0.20 per $1000 of assessed property value. For the average Underwood property, ranging from $300,000 to $400,000, that would mean an increase in annual tax of $60-$80 per year, or $5-$6.67 per month. This levy will provide about $30,000 per year. That, along with donations, grants, usage fees, and rental income, will allow Underwood Park to remain a public asset for our community.

A Board of Commissioners is appointed to lead the UPRD and they are your neighbors and fellow Underwoodians. They want to hear from you about the future of our Underwood Park. UPRD governance is hyper-local. Do you have ideas about programs and events you would like to see at the Community Center or Park? The UPRD has regular monthly meetings, a website, and commissioners who are available and waiting to hear your ideas and suggestions.

Talk with Your Neighbors

Sharing information about the significance of this tax levy for the community of Underwood will be important come voting day. Below is a rack card you can download, print and share with others. Remember, there’s a secure ballot box located in the parking lot of the Community Center! You can drop your ballots off through November 5, 2024.

Join our Mailing List

Stay current on events, information, resources, and community happenings with our community newsletter. We’ll deliver news from the UPRD once a month and occasionally send event updates and notices from Friends of Underwood. You can opt-out at any time, and we’ll never sell or share your information with others.

Contact Us


Community Center and Park
951 School House Rd.
Underwood, WA 98651

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Underwood Park & Recreation District
PO Box 172
Underwood, WA 98651

Email
underwoodparkandrec@gmail.com

Phone
509-972-6400