Manson School District, Parks & Rec Pair Up to Keep Leffler Field

Two Manson entities haven't given up on keeping the parcel of land, the Leffler Field, for public use.

Manson Parks and Recreation District and the Manson School District are merging together to secure the 4.97 acre parcel, commonly referred to as the Leffler Field, for community benefit. Though in the infancy stage, a purchase agreement for joint ownership is in place and now awaits approval from both boards.

"(Matt Charlton, Manson superintendent) said what do you think about Manson School District and Manson Parks going in on this together and trying to revive this thing," said Robin Pittman, parks and recreation director.

The purchase and sale agreement of $1.3 million has been completed as of November 26. Manson parks received grant funding from Chelan County and the state for its end of the deal and the remaining $550,000 will be from the Manson School District's side of things.

"With the Manson School District, their interests align with ours pretty closely. They're in it for the kids and the families and they obviously do a lot of recreation and sports. Same thing for us," said Pittman. "So it seemed like a good partnership."

Both the Parks and Rec Board of Commissioners and the school board will each have to approve the purchase as a condition of the agreement during an agreed upon feasibility period. The joint ownership would require an interlocal agreement that outlines what each entity would be responsible for as well as a decision making process for property use.

There will be two opportunities for public input besides sending in written comments. The first opportunity will be at a joint meeting for both boards on December 12 at 5 and the Manson School Board will take more public comment on December 19 at 5.