(a) The county government of any county may establish a permanent county park and recreation commission.
(b) The commission shall consist of 5 members all of whom shall be residents of the county for a period of 3 years immediately preceding their appointments and only 3 of whom shall be affiliated with the same political party. One member shall be recommended by the State Board of Education; 1 in New Castle County shall be a member of the New Castle County Regional Planning Commission; and the remainder shall be members-at-large. All appointments shall be made by the county governments of the respective counties.
(c) One member shall be appointed for a term of 1 year, 1 for 2 years, 1 for 3 years, 1 for 4 years, and 1 for 5 years. Thereafter the terms of each shall be 5 years.
(d) Vacancies occurring by other than expiration of term shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments. This commission shall be appointed within 10 days of the filing of the first petition under this chapter.