PenMet Parks Launches in-District Pricing and Priority Registration
PenMet Parks recognizes that people living within the District boundaries support, through taxes, the District’s parks and recreation programs, services, and facilities.
In October 2023, the PenMet Parks Board of Commissioners approved a pricing policy that benefits District residents. This new policy applies to all the District’s fee-based programs and services offered after April 1, regardless of when registration or reservations occur. This policy includes the following:
- Differential pricing for those who reside within the district.
- In-District residents will pay 20% less than non-residents.
- Priority registration for District residents enrolling in recreation programs. District residents will benefit by registering one week prior to non-residents.
About the Pricing Policy
The Pricing Policy guides the development of program-specific standard operating procedures that establish cost recovery practices for park and recreation programs and services that align with PenMet Parks’ strategic framework and goals.
The Pricing Policy was developed based upon the consultant-led Fees & Services Assessment conducted by Berry-Dunn and was adopted by the board in May 2023. This assessment was conducted with significant community feedback and provides foundational philosophy, policies, and best practice model for the organization, now and into the future.
The assessment was intended to be flexible and responsive to the changing conditions to allow the District to allocate its resources consistently and provide valuable information for decision making and setting priorities for improvements to the system.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does PenMet Parks set prices?
In establishing fees and charges, the District will determine the costs of providing services based on an identified and consistently applied methodology. The calculated cost will be used to measure current and projected cost recovery and to help establish appropriate cost recovery goals to support services.
If we don’t live in the District, can we still participate in PenMet Parks Programs?
Everyone in our community is welcomed and encouraged to enjoy the activities and services that PenMet Parks provides.
What programs and services does this apply to? When will this pricing policy take effect?
This would apply to all the District’s fee-based programs and services offered after April 1, regardless of when registration or reservations occur. For example, summer camps register in March, but occur after April 1, 2024, so would see this price difference and priority registration.
What is the price difference for programs and rentals?
In-District residents will pay 20% less than Out-of-District residents in 2024.
What if I cannot afford the fees?
The PenMet Parks Financial Assistance Program provides partial funding to persons who want to participate in a PenMet Parks’ fee-based recreation program and meet eligibility requirements. Currently, financial assistance is not restricted to In-District residents. PenMet Parks offers multiple payment options including payment plans that can be tailored to your needs.
If you have questions about financial assistance or payment plans, please email [email protected] or call 253-858-3400.
What does priority registration mean?
District residents will have the benefit of registering one week prior to non-residents. There will be two dates identified for each registration period, one for In-District residents and another for non-residents.
How will the out-of-district fee and in-district preferred registration be administered?
Administration of this new Pricing Policy would take place through our current registration system, which uses GIS data to determine if registrants are residents or non-residents of the District.
How do I know if I live in the District?
- Peninsula Metropolitan Park District spans more than 50 square miles and 650 acres of parkland in unincorporated Pierce County, from the Tacoma Narrows bridge to the Purdy Bridge, extending up to the county line at Olalla.
- If you are a property owner, you can also check your tax bill which will indicate if any of your taxes are directed to the Peninsula Metropolitan Park District.
- Call our office at (253) 858-3400 and we can help in determining residency status.
Will I be required to prove my District residency?
- Our registration and facility rental software system ActiveNet can identify a customer’s residency status based upon their address.
- ActiveNet users may be asked to upload verifying documents such as a photo ID, utility bill, or other document confirming your residency.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the Pricing Policy or District residency status, please contact us at [email protected] or by calling 253-858-3400.