Lena Berry

All people who live in the Redmond Area Park & Recreation District should feel welcomed and be able to exercise, play and have fun in the district. I am excited to help create a stellar new park and recreation activity center that offers more opportunities, safe intergenerational community spaces and has an eye on the future, so that we are competitive and provide for our growing community today as well as in the future.

I will champion for additional dedicated, well trained staff and an intern program allowing RAPRD to help participants that need assistance to access physical therapy and trainers. Staff will be available to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to attend all classes and camps offered. Coordination of 1-to-1 recreation assistants is necessary to help the community bridge language barriers. We need to provide childcare so parents & caregivers have the time to participate in programs. RAPRD must provide intergenerational classes that families can participate in together such as cooking, yoga, swim lessons, board game & physical game nights as well as local destination adventures. By becoming verified vendors with local insurance providers, the community will be able to utilize all of these supports with little to no out of pocket costs to them or to RAPRD.

I will strive to work with community providers to add a robust catalog of activities, programs and camps within RAPRD. I will advocate for providing alternative spaces for classes & activities while the new facility is being built. The Pleasant Ridge Community Hall needs modifications & updates. The historic Tetherow building is another amazing asset that needs major renovations. The current swim center, built in 1979, is always in need of costly maintenance. Community benefit programs through Pacificsource Community Solutions will help pay for building renovations when we host support programs in the buildings. This partnership would pay for upgrading facilities, while also providing the community a safe space with trained support staff to help neighbors access information and resources which will build resilience and connection.

Pacificsource Community Solutions, Mosaic, St. Charles, Kiwanis & Rotary have an interest in public health, wellness and building community. These community partners will help fund many of the plans for the areas that will make up the outside of the new RAPRD Activity Center. Once we have secured the funding for these pieces of the facility, we can then leverage that local commitment to secure matching grant funds, with the goal of keeping the ask for any future funding from taxpayers minimal.

Communication and inclusion are key factors to build community and create safe spaces for recreation. RAPRD signage, materials & forms need to be available in the languages spoken in the community. We need art that reflects the varied cultures of the people of Redmond. Picture communication guides need to be built into the facility to include neighbors that are non-speaking or need information provided visually. Design plans for the new facility must include family bathrooms and large changing tables in all restrooms. Buildings need to be accessible for wheelchairs, strollers and walkers. Central Oregon Disability Support Network and other local nonprofits will help identify and secure grant funding to pay for these basic communication and inclusion supports.

Talk to your friends. Make plans to vote by 8 p.m. on May 16. The Redmond ballot boxes are located in the Centennial Park Parking lot & at the Deschutes Fairgrounds. If you mail your ballot, be sure that it is postmarked by May 16 in order for it to be counted. Your vote matters and I’d love to have it.