All the paper work was in order. The t’s” were crossed and the “i’s” dotted when two Key Peninsula park commissioners sat down to sign the Home Park transfer agreement. The agreement designates Key Peninsula Metro Park District as the official owner of the Home Park property. This is a big step toward completing the business of the Key Peninsula parks board (KPPRD) and moving all park properties, contracts and agreements into the jurisdiction of the Metro district (KPMPD).
All aspects of each and every transaction must be covered to allow the transitions to move ahead. The Metro District president, Paula DeMoss, said the process isn’t exactly a snowball down a hill but that all the work is constantly moving forward. “It’s exciting,” she said. “Each meeting is very beneficial.” She adds that the Home Park transfer was “actually a little bit earlier than expected.”
Home Park is one of three park properties to be transferred and about five other properties are under consideration for new acquisition, according to Mike Salatino, chairman of KPPRD. The progress is slow but steady, he said.
DeMoss said, “We are making sure we don’t take the funds we have just received and spend them too fast.”
The actions of good neighbors in the Key Pen community are helping to protect park funds. The real estate transaction was written and delivered to escrow as a donation of Joyce Tovey, owner of Windermere Key Realty. The staff at First American Title, Manager Jannae Mitton and Escrow Officer Gail Latteri, donated the escrow fees and title search.
Home Park is appreciated as a jewel in the newly crowned Metro Park district but there was an immediate reality check for DeMoss. “Now we have to get out there and mow the lawn,” she observed.
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