2004: The Key Peninsula Metropolitan Park District was formed in May. In October, Key Pen Parks purchased Volunteer Park and the Home Park property from the previous park district.
2006: Completed renovation of the concession stand at Volunteer Park and construction of retaining wall at Volunteer Park by KP Lions Club.
2007: Lobbied the state legislature for Department of Natural Resources funding for 360 Trails and Maple Hollow Park. First Parks Appreciation Day for Key Peninsula. Volunteers donate over 290 hours of labor.
2008: Purchased 39 acres on Taylor Bay in the amount of $1.4 million with state grants. Successful application with KP Little League for state Recreation Conservation Office Youth Athletic Facility grant for $75,000. Home Park playground and picnic shelter built.
2009: Volunteer Park Field 1 renovation completed. Fifty-year lease with DNR signed for Maple Hollow Park and 360 Trails. Minter Creek property acquired in November.
2010 and 2011: Maple Hollow Park renovated. Key Central Forest (480 acres) leased to Key Pen Parks for 50 years by DNR.
2012 and 2013: New playground is erected at the Key Peninsula Civic Center. Gateway Park acquired. Property acquired adjacent to Key Central Forest for future access development. Key Pen Parks, PenMet Parks and Kitsap County Parks collaborate to operate Horseshoe Lake seven days a week May through September.
2014: New picnic shelter built at KP Civic Center.
2015: Road work completed at Key Central Forest. Electrical upgrades completed at Volunteer Park.
2016: Manke property acquired, expanding Gateway Park. Pool restoration project at Camp Stand By Me.
2017: 360 Trails pump track opens. Gateway Park construction. 2018: Gateway Park pavilion is built with funds and volunteers from the Gig Harbor Rotary Club. More grants are earmarked for Gateway capital improvements.
2019: Gateway Park dog parks completed; construction begins on a splashpad.
2020: Plans and grants finalized for next phase of Gateway Park expansion.
UNDERWRITTEN BY NEWSMATCH/MIAMI FOUNDATION, THE ANGEL GUILD, ROTARY CLUB OF GIG HARBOR, ADVERTISERS, DONORS AND PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT LOCAL, INDEPENDENT NONPROFIT NEWS
