Is the formation of a metropolitan park district limited to cities over 5,000 population?
No. The establishment of a metropolitan park district in a city is governed by the provisions in Ch. 35.61 RCW. Previously, this option was only available to cities of five thousand or more. With the passage of SHB 2557, Chapter 88, Laws of 2002, one or more cities and/or counties may create such a district for “the management, control, improvement, maintenance, and acquisition of parks, parkways, and boulevards….” The size restriction no longer applies. Ch. 88, Laws of 2002, now specifically authorizes a metropolitan park district to be formed that includes areas outside of the city, or even in another city or county. Previously, the statutes relating to formation of such a district only permitted creating a district that was “coextensive with the limits of the city.” (RCW 35.61.020) Any territory annexed to a city that lies entirely within the limits of a metropolitan park district shall be deemed to be within the limits of the (expanded) park district. Formation or extension of pa
Reviewed: 07/10 No. The establishment of a metropolitan park district in a city is governed by the provisions in Ch. 35.61 RCW. Previously, this option was only available to cities of five thousand or more. With the passage of SHB 2557, Chapter 88, Laws of 2002, one or more cities and/or counties may create such a district for “the management, control, improvement, maintenance, and acquisition of parks, parkways, and boulevards….” The size restriction no longer applies. Ch. 88, Laws of 2002, now specifically authorizes a metropolitan park district to be formed that includes areas outside of the city, or even in another city or county. Previously, the statutes relating to formation of such a district only permitted creating a district that was “coextensive with the limits of the city.” (RCW 35.61.020) Any territory annexed to a city that lies entirely within the limits of a metropolitan park district shall be deemed to be within the limits of the (expanded) park district. Formation or
