By: Rep. Paul Graves

Voters have a choice this Valentine’s Day – and it’s not just whether to buy flowers or chocolates (hint: buy both.)

Next Tuesday voters in the Maple Valley will have the chance to vote on the Maple Valley Parks Bond. In terms of bang for your buck, this bond delivers.

For just $9 a month for a typical household, the two parks proposed under the bond would offer trails, picnic shelters, a dog park, a playground, and numerous lighted artificial turf fields.

These parks will no doubt attract young homeowners and increase property values in our city. Maintenance of the parks has been built into the city budget should the bond pass, and the parks would let more of us play where we live rather than driving on congested roads to get to parks in other cities.

Most importantly, though, the parks will give kids new spaces to run and grow in our rapidly-developing city. During a time when kids are saturated in technology and screens, they should also have every opportunity to run around and get a little dirty. Let them climb at the playground and learn how to play soccer on a little league team.

What many may not realize, however, is the importance of mailing in your ballot. For the bond to pass, two criteria must be met:

1. At least 40 percent of the voters who turned out last November must vote in this election.

2. At least 60 percent of those participating must vote yes.

This means at least 5,165 voters must submit their ballots for this bond to pass. So remind your family and neighbors, mail in your ballots early, and vote yes on the Maple Valley Parks Bond. Let’s give the next generation of Maple Valley open spaces and places to play.

Representative Paul Graves serves in the Washington State House of Representatives for the 5th Legislative District. He can be contacted at (360)786-7876 or at Paul.Graves@leg.wa.gov