Election season is starting with candidates beginning to file for office and fund raising already underway for some Kirkland City Council candidates.

One set of races that will not get a lot of publicity, but will have a huge impact on some new Kirkland parks after the June 1, 2011 annexation is the Finn Hill Parks and Recreation District Board of Commissioners. The board will have two of its five unpaid positions up for election in November and one is currently uncontested.

“We want to get broader representation from the community,” said Richard Smith, Finn Hill Parks and Recreation District Board chairman. “We will continue to operate the park within Kirkland boundaries.”

When O.O. Denny Park opened for public use in 1922, it was a campground for Seattle Children. Years later, maintenance of the park was handed over to King County.

In 2001, a $52 million general fund shortfall in the county budget led to the closure of 20 parks countywide — including O.O. Denny Park. In 2002, nearby Finn Hill residents voted to manage the park themselves, under an agreement with the City of Seattle. The levy was re-passed in 2008, but Seattle still owns the property.

“King County had abandoned the park and locked the gates,” said Smith. “We brought it back from being shuttered to being a beautiful park. We have done a number of capital improvements.”

Positions No. 1 and 4 will be up for election in November and are currently held by Frank Radford and Chris Johnson, respectively. Johnson has opted to step down and not run for a second term. The positions are unpaid.

“We donate our time,” said Smith. “It takes about eight to 25 hours a month and that is divided up through different administrative tasks.”

Commissioners meet monthly to make decisions regarding maintenance and operations of 0.0 Denny Park, Juanita Triangle Park and Juanita Heights Park. Voters approved a second six-year taxing levy in 2008.

“Any summer day weekend and the park is packed,” said Smith. “It is very popular.”

The boundaries of the taxing district run from Lake Washington on the west and south, to St. Edwards park and N.E. 144th Street through Simons Road at the north, over to 100th Ave. N.E., down through 98th Ave. N.E., N.E. 131st Way and 93rd Lane N.E.

One change that will take place after annexation is that the Kirkland Police Department will provide any needed response to the parks in place of the King County Sheriff’s Department.

To file for candidacy, interested constituents should visit the King County Web site at www.kingcounty.gov/elections.aspx for more information. In-person, mailed, and online filings must all be completed by June 10, 2011. There is no filing fee associated with this particular election.

To learn more about the Finn Hill Park and Recreation District, visit www.finnhillparks.net