Kirkland Parks Acquires New Gem With Transfer of Finn Hill's O.O. Denny

The Finn Hill Parks and Recreation District, formed in 2002 to manage popular O.O. Denny Park on Lake Washington, on Monday turned over daily operation of the 46-acre forested park to the city of Kirkland.

The move has been anticipated since Kirkland voters approved a property tax levy for parks, Proposition 2, last Nov. 6. District commissioners and the city say the levy will generate enough money for the Kirkland Parks and Community Services Department to operate the park, which includes one of the Seattle area’s last groves of old-growth conifers.

District Chairman Richard Smith said the district voted unanimously in early December to discontinue the collection of its own property tax levy for the park. It then informed the King County Clerk’s Office to end collections as of Jan. 1.

However, the district will continue to exist at least through 2013 to oversee several projects at O.O. Denny that will be built with a rainy day fund saved over the last 10 years. They include a kids play area, more barbecue grills and benches, improved access for those with limited mobility and restroom improvements, all planned for this spring/summer.

The parks district took on management of O.O. Denny Park from King County in 2002 after the county closed the park during a budget crisis. Local residents launched a campaign and voted to form the district, approving a property tax levy to pay for maintenance and operations.

That taxy levy has now ended, replaced by Kirkland's new tax levy.

“We are very happy Kirkland now has the resources to operate the park,” said Smith. “ We have been working closely with (the city) for several months to ensure a smooth hand-off, and we are confident they will do a great job.”

Kirkland parks crews were at O.O. Denny Monday morning.

"We're excited about it," said Jason Filan, operations manger for Kirkland Parks. "We were down there at 7-7:30 this morning opening it like any other waterfront park. It's a jewel, a big jewel. We plan to have it looking crisp and clean and available for the public."

Filan said parks crews have identified needed work on the trail that follows Denny Creek upstream into the old forest, which will be done by by local Eagle Scouts.

With the transfer, Kirkland now has yet another waterfront park to add to its already highly regarded parks system, which includes Juanita Beach, Juanita Bay Park, Marina Park, Waverly Beach, Marsh Park and Houghton Beach.

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For previous Kirkland Patch coverage of O.O. Denny Park:

Denny Creek: The Wilderness Within

Kirkland's Crown Jewels: Trail Guide Released on Finn Hill's Denny Park

City Council Supports Single $2.3 Million Parks Funding Ballot Measure