HomeMy WebLinkAbout3950ORDINANCE NO 3qgo
AN ORDINANCE of the City Council of the
City of Kent, Washington adopting the Park and
Open Space Plan.
RECITALS
A. In the spring of 2009, the City began the process of
developing an updated Park and Open Space Plan (Park Plan). When the
Park Plan is integrated into the Park and open Space Element of the city's
Comprehensive Plan, it will direct future development, acquisition and
renovation of parks and open spaces for the short and long-term future.
The Park Plan includes, among other items, an inventory of the existing
parks and open spaces, level of service standards, goals and policies, and
an implementation strategy that includes short and long-term capital
projects,
B. The Park Plan has undergone a public process. A survey was
taken during the spring of 2009 seeking ideas and opinions regarding the
existing park system, deficiencies and priorities for the coming years. A
public workshop was held in September 2009 to further refine the areas of
focus in the update. Additional public comment was solicited throughout
the update process via email, the City's website and articles in the Kent
I Park & Open Space PIan
Reporter,
C. Throughout this process, the City Council has held workshop
and committee meetings to gather information and analyze the ongoing
development of the Park Plan. Meetings were held on september !7,
2009; November L9,2009; January 2L,20L0; February 16, 2010; and
March 18, 2010.
D. On January 8, 20L0, the City provided the State of
washington with the required sixty (60) day notification under Rcw
36.704.106 of the city's proposed adoption of the Park plan and
corresponding amendment to the Park and open Space Element and
Capital Facilities Element of the Comprehensive Plan. No comments were
received.
E. On February L3, 20IO, the City's SEPA responsible official
issued a Determination of Nonsignificance (DNS) for the proposed park
Plan and corresponding changes to the comprehensive PIan. The DNS
explained that the proposal would not have probable significant adverse
impacts on the environment.
F. The public involvement process continued with the Land Use
and Planning Board holding workshops regarding the Park plan and
amendments to the Comprehensive Plan on January LI, 20L0, and a
public hearing on March B, 2010. Adoption of the Park Plan and the
corresponding changes to the Park and open space Element and the
Capital Facilities Element were also considered by the City Council's Parks
and Human Services Committee on March 18, 2010. On May 4, 2010, the
City Council adopted the Park Plan for the City of Kent.
2 Park & Open Space PIan
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CIry OF KENT,
WASHINGTON, DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
ORDINANCE
SECTION 7. - Incorporation of Recitals, The preceding recitals are
incorporated herein.
SECTION 2, - Amendment The Park and Open Space Plan as
attached and incorporated as Exhibit *4" is adopted by the City of Kent,
SECTION 3, - Severability. If any one or more sections, sub-
sections, or sentences of this ordinance are held to be unconstitutional or
invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion
of this ordinance and the same shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 4, - Corrections by City Clerk or Code Reviser. Upon
approval of the City Attorney, the City Clerk and the code reviser are
authorized to make necessary corrections to this ordinance, including the
correction of clerical errors; references to other local, state or federal laws,
codes, ru les, or regu lations; or ordina nce n u m bering a nd
section/subsection numbering,
SECTION 5, - Effective Date.
be in force thirty (30) days from and
by law.
This ordinance shall take effect and
r the date of passage as provided
,MA
3
E
Park & Open Space PIan
ATTEST:
BRENDA JACOBER,CLERK
APPROVED AS
M BRU KER, CITY ATTORNEY
PASSED:day of May, 2010,
day of May, 2010.
day of May, 2010.
APPROVED: 4
PUBLISHED:
I hereby certify that this is a true copy of Ordinance No.-J
passed by the City Council of the City of Kent, Washington, and approved
by the Mayor of the City of Kent as hereon indicated,
EAL)
BRENDA JACOB CITY CLERK
4
P: \Civ¡l\Ord inance\ParkPlanOrd lnance.docx
Park & Open Space Plan
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Park & Open
Space Plan
Kent Park, Recreation &
Community Services
KENT
WAsHrNcToÀ
cITy oF KENr - Park & Open Space PIan - 2010
Table of Contents
WHO WE ARE,,.
1. Introduction .
WHERE WE ARE'.
2. Background
Natural Resource Characteristics
Demographic Profile
3. Park Inventory & Classification
WHERE WE WANT TO GO,.,
4. Goals and Policies
5. Needs Analysis
Level of Service (LOS)
Demographics
Public Participation ...
Regional Coordination...
HOW WE WTLL GET THERE,,,
6. Implementation...
Overview
Core Themes .... ..... 33
Long Term Capital Recommendations (2OLO-2030) ........ 35
Short Term Capital Recommendations (2OLO-2020) ....... 38
Financing 4t
1
3
4
4
7
7. Appendices .
A. Public Involvement..,
B. Relevant Regulations
C. Capital Facilities Plan
...45
..45
L4
27
27
30
30
31
33
33
49
51
D. Ordinance Adopting Plan...53
crry oF KENr - Park & Open Space Plan - 2010
1, Introduction
Over the past several decades Kent has developed an award-winning network of
parks, open spaces and recreation facilities. Kent's park and open space system
provides a wide variety of recreation experiences, from the Arbor Heights 360 skate
park and climbing pinnacle and the passive nature of Clark Lake Park, to the
regional draw of the Russell Road softball/baseball complex and our stunning
downtown gathering place, Town Square Plaza.
Kent Parks'vision - "Creating a Better Community'L emphasizes the role parks play
in the make-up of a vibrant community. Meeting the needs of our residents has
strongly influenced the character of the City's park system and has helped create a
well-rounded and expansive network of recreational opportunities. Our recent park
survey resulted in positive comments about the City's existing system.
Kent parks serve a community that has grown not only in numbers but in area and
diversity. Kent is now home to more families, children and seniors than ever
before. A quarter of Kent's residents were born outside the U.S. and one-third
speak a language other than English at home. Over the past 20 years, the City has
doubled in size as urban growth areas have been annexed. As Kent transitions
from a suburban community to an urban center, the need to build upon Kent's
legacy is crucial to meet the changing community's needs. The Park Plan update
establishes a vision of a park system that addresses urbanization in its future
development to better serve a growing community. The Park Plan is a tool to help
Kent meet this challenge,
Park Plan Objectives
The purpose of this plan is to guide acquisition, development and redevelopment of
parks and open spaces as we progress into the next 20 years. This plan examines
Kent's existing park and open space system, assesses needs, identifies short- and
long-term recommendations, details funding sources and prioritizes our next steps.
In addition, the plan will be incorporated into the City's Comprehensive Plan as an
implementing document and will allow the City to retain eligibility for State grant
funds.
The Growth. Management Act (GMA) provides planning goals for Parks and Open
Spaces. Although the Park Plan is a required element under GMA, Kent has long
maintained a Park and Open Space Element because park and recreational
opportunities are viewed as an integral part of the City and essential to the quality
of life for its residents. A summary of the Park Plan will be included in the Park and
Open Space Element of the City's Comprehensive Plan.
1
Chapter t - Introduction
Philosophy
The mission for the Park and Community Services Department is to enrich the
quality of life in Kent by providing parks and facilities that are safe, attractive, and
that offer enjoyable and meaningful recreation and cultural programs, and supports
human services. This is accomplished via development and maintenance of parks
and facilities, professional programming, and the optimum utilization of community
resources. The following mission statement articulates the Department's
commitment to the community:
Vision: Creating a Better Community
Mission: Dedicated to Enriching Lives
1. We are committed to providing safe and inviting parks and facilities.
2. We offer meaningful and inclusive recreational, cultural and human
service programs.
3. We are responsive, encouraging and ethical in our dedication to the
community by providing :
Personal Benefits that strengthen self esteem, improve health and promote
self sufficiency.
Social Benefits that bring families together and unite people within our
diverse community.
Economic Benefits that welcome new business relocation and expansion,
leading to a more productive work force and increased tourism opportunities.
Environmental Benefits that protect and preserve natural and open space
areas and enhance air and water quality.
As we seek to develop a park and open space system that adequately meets the
needs of Kent's residents, this Plan will provide the necessary guidance to help us
fulfill the Department's mission and work toward creating a better community.
2
crry oF KENr - Park & Open Space Plan - 2010
2. Background
The City of Kent is the fourth largest city in King County, with a culturally diverse
population of 88,380 (April 2009 OFM Official Estimate). Annexation of the Panther
Lake area to the northeast of the City's limits in July 2010 will add an additional five
square miles and approximately 24,OO0 residents to Kent's population. Kent has a
unique makeup, from its distinct residential neighborhoods, its regional
manufacturing center and regional urban center, to an extensive network of natural
features; these make Kent an attractive destination for living, working and
conducting business. Situated between Seattle and Tacoma, Kent's city limits cover
a geographic area of 29 square miles with major residential areas on the east and
west hills, a warehouse and distribution hub in the valley, a vibrant urban center,
and commercial nodes scattered throughout. Over the past several decades Kent
has developed an established network of parks, open spaces and recreation
facilities totaling more than L,400 acres. In 2OO3, Kent was selected Sports
Illustrated Sportstown USA, which recognized Kent's innovation in the development
of park facilities and programming. In addition to providing parks and open spaces,
Kent offers a wide variety of recreation programs. Kent's service area goes beyond
the city limits, serving the entire Kent School District and portions of the Highline
and Federal Way School Districts.
Figure 1: City of Kent General Map
B Lê9end
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Potentlal Annexation Area
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Natural Resource Characteristics
Kent is lucky to have a wide variety of natural systems that help define our city and
make it unique. Some of the larger systems include two waters of the state: the
Green River which runs north-south along the west side of the City and Lake
Meridian located on Kent's east hill. There are several other shoreline areas in Kent
as designated by the Shoreline Management Act, which include: Lake Fenwick,
Green River Natural Resource Area, Springbrook Creek, portions of Soos Creek, and
the Mill Creek Auburn Floodway. In addition to these, the City has many areas that
are considered critical or environmentally sensitive such as wetlands, streams, fish
and wildlife habitat, geologic hazard areas, frequently flooded areas and aquifer
recharge areas. An extensive urban forest stretches across and within many of
these natural systems.
Kent's natural systems have been pressured by widespread development over the
years; however, many of these areas are incorporated and protected within the
City's parks and open spaces. The City has the opportunity to further protect and
utilize these areas through increased stewardship and through acquisition of natural
areas that are currently within private ownership. An example of recent efforts to
preserve Kent's natural areas is the development of an urban forestry management
program, currently underway. This program, titled Green Kent, will contain a 20-
year action plan to manage our natural areas and take advantage of our
enthusiastic volunteers by training residents to become volunteer stewards. The
community recognizes the need to protect natural areas. Our most recent park
survey indicated that natural and open space areas were rated of extremely high
importance to our users.
Demographic Profile
Demand for park facilities is directly related to the makeup of the community in
areas such as population , âgê, ethnic diversity and household makeup. A look at
Kent's demographics is one measure that can help determine how much and what
kind of park land is needed to serve the specific needs of the community. The
demographic information below is a broad overview based on information
developed from the 2000 U.S. Census data.
Population Growth
Significant growth over the last 20 years has underscored the need to plan for the
next phase of Kent's parks and open spaces so that these spaces continue to meet
the needs of the growing community. We also recognize that, due to fiscal
constraints, we need to become more creative in the maintenance, redevelopment
and programming of our existing parks as well as ín the acquisition of future parks
and open spaces. Establishing partnerships with other organizations will become
4
uw oF KENr - Park & Open Space Plan - 2010
increasingly important if we are to continue to provide and maintain quality parks
and open spaces.
The City of Kent is the ninth largest city in Washington and fourth largest city in
King County. Figure 1 depicts Kent's population growth, by decade, since 1960,
and also reflects population projections to 2031. Annexation of the Panther Lake
area to the northeast of the City's limits in July 2010 will add an additional five
square miles and approximately 24,OOO residents to Kent's population. By the year
203L, Kent's population is projected to reach L33,347 (or 133,857 including all
potential annexation areas). Kent grew at an average rate of 10.9 percent per year
in the 1990's compared to an average of 6.4 percent per year in the 1980's.
Several significant annexations occurred in the 1990's which account for a large
part of the population increase during the 1990's.
Figure 2: Kent Population Growth 1960-2031
Kent Population Growth
160000
140000
120000
100000
80000
60000
40000
20000
0
133 347
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2037
U.S. Census Bureau/OFM/PSRC/Kinocountv
79
37,
16,275
23,752
Households
There were 31,113 households in Kent in 2000, with an average of 2.53 persons
per household, up from 2.33 in 1990. Family households make up 63 percent of
households in Kent, with 38 percent of all households having children (individuals
under 18 years of age) and 13.9 percent of all households including seniors
(individuals 65 years and over).
5
Chapter 2 - Background
Ethnic Diversity
Kent's ethnic diversity is growing rapidly. Close to 29 percent of Kent's residents
identified themselves as a race other than white, compared to 11 percent in the
1990 Census. The ethnic makeup of Kent is 70.8 percent white, 9.4 percent Asian,
8.2 percent African American, 8.1 Hispanic, 0.9 percent Native American, 0.7
percent Pacific Islander, 4.7 percent from other races and 5.3 percent from two or
more races. The American Community Survey estimates that from 2005-2007, 3t
percent of Kent's residents spoke a language other than English at home. Of those
speaking another language, 30 percent spoke Spanish and 70 percent spoke some
other language, and 56 percent reported that they did not speak English very well.
The American Community Survey also estimates that from 2005-2007, 25 percent
of people living in Kent were foreign born.
Age Makeup
Kent's population appears to be aging with an increased number of seniors and a
higher median age. There are also a greater number of children under the age of
18. The 2000 census found that 27.7 percent of Kent's population was less than 18
years of age, compared to 24.7 percent in 1990. The 2000 census found that 7.3
percent of the population was 65 years or older, compared to 6.5 percent in 1990.
The median age in 2000 was 31.8 years. The American Community Survey
estimates that the median age from 2005-2007, was 33.9 years.
Figure 3: Age Groups as a Percentage of Population
1990 Population
6o/o
r0-17
r 18-44
;45-64
| 65+
2OOO Populaton
7ôlo
r0-17
r 18-44
a45-65
tr65+
6
crry oF KENr - Park & Open Space Plan - 2010
3. Park Inventory & Classification
Kent owns or leases L,434 acres of park land. The majority of this park land is
natural resource land, while the remaining is distributed between Community and
Neighborhood Parks, Recreation Facilities and undeveloped land. Since 2000, over
87 acres of additional park land have been acquired. Park land from the Panther
Lake Annexation, effective July 2OLO, is included in the inventory below.
Inventoried parks are shown in Figure 5, Park & Recreation Facilities. The City's
park land is generally broken down into the following categories:
Figure 4: Total Parks by Classification
r Community Parks
r Neighborhood Parks
r Indoor Recreation Facility
r Outdoor Recreation Facility
: Natural Resource
r Undeveloped
r Golf Course
Community Parks - A park that serves the entire City of Kent and includes
facilities or amenities that are not offered elsewhere in the city. Amenities will vary
at each park and may include boating, swimming, fishing, group picnic shelters,
play equipment, trails, sport courts and ball fields. Access to the park is by car,
public transit, foot or bicycle. Off-street parking is provided. There are eight
Community Parks with a total of 111.9 acres.
Facilitv
1. Arbor HeÍghts 360
2. Green River Parks
Anderson Park
Briscoe Park
Cottonwood Grove
Russell Woods Park
Three Friends Park
Location
east
valley
valley
valley
valley
valley
Acres
2.82
0
7
0
7
1
30
00
77
00
00
7
chapter 3 - Park Inventory & Classification
Van Doren's Landing Park
3. Lake Meridian Park
4. Morrill Meadows
5. Old Fishing Hole
6. Town Square Plaza
7. Urban Core Parks
Burlington Green*
Castlereagh Park*
First Avenue Plaza
Kaibara Parkx
Kherson
Rosebed Parkx
Sunntjord Park
Titus Railroad Park
Uplands Extension* (Rotary Basketball & Lions Skate)
Yangzhou Park*
8, West Fenwick Park (includes West Hill Skate Park)
valley
east
east
valley
valley
valley
valley
valley
valley
valley
valley
valley
valley
valley
valley
west
10.00
16.o2
16.31
5.70
0.77
0.22
o.2L
0.60
0.56
0.58
0.23
0.2L
0.30
4.LO
0.2L
37.OO
111.91Total
x Leased Land
Neighborhood Park - A park designed to meet the active and passive recreation
needs of an immediate neighborhood. A neighborhood is defined by surrounding
arterial streets and access is usually by foot or bicycle. Parking spaces are typically
not provided, unless on-street parking is not available, accessible or safe.
Neighborhood parks have amenities for casual activities that are not programmed
or organized. Amenities may include play equipment, picnic tables, hard courts
(basketball, tennis), walking trails, and open grass areas. There are 27
neighborhood parks with a total of 90.33 acres.
Facility
1. Canterbury Neighborhood Park
2. Chestnut Ridge Park
3. Commons Park
4. East Hill Park
5. Eastridge Park
6. Garrison Creek Park
7. Glenn Nelson Park
8. Gowe Street Mini Park
9. Green Tree Park
10. Green View Park
11. Kiwanis Tot Lot #1
12. Kiwanis Tot Lot #2
13. Kiwanis Tot Lot #3
14. Kiwanis Tot Lot #4
15. Linda Heights Park
16. Meridian Glen Park
Location
east
east
valley
east
east
east
west
valley
east
east
valley
valley
east
valley
west
east
Acres
2.08
3.33
2.66
4.62
0.80
5.00
10.00
0.10
L.47
1. 10
0.60
o.4L
o.75
0.35
4.20
5.47
B
crry oF KENr - Park & Open Space Plan - 2010
17. Naden Avenue RV Park
18. Park Orchard Park
19, Pine Tree Park
20. Salt Air Vista Park
21, Scenic Hill Park
22, Seven Oaks Park
23. Springwood Park
24. Sun Meadows
25. Tudor Square Park
26. Turnkey Park
27. Walnut Grove
valley
east
east
west
east
east
east
east
east
east
east
0.70
7.22
9.80
2.00
4.L0
0.50
10.00
L.54
4.70
6.53
0.30
90.33Total
Ind
Recreation Facility - Buildings and parks used by the community for social,
cultural and programmed recreation. Outdoor recreation facilities are distinguished
from other parks by the scheduled nature of the facilities. Recreation facilities
include community centers, historic buildings, sports fields and golf facilities. These
facilities serve the entire City of Kent, and in some cases, the region, Access to
these facilities is by car, public transit, foot, or bicycle. Off-street parking is
provided. Riverbend is unique from the other recreational facilities because it is an
enterprise facility, which is a self-sustaining, revenue generating facility that
financially supports itself. Some of the facilities identified below include open space
which may be developed in the future.
SouareFacility Location Acres Feet
oor
1. Kent Commons
2. Kent Historical Museum
3. Kent Memorial Park Building
4. Kent Valley lce Centre***
5, Neely/Soames Historical House
6. Resource Center
7. Senior Activity Center
Subtotal
Outdoor
8. Kent Memorial Park
9. North Meridian Park Fields
10. Service Club Park
11. Russell Road Park
12. Uplands Playfield
13, Wilson Playfields
Subtotal
Golf Course
13. Riverbend Golf Complex-18 holes
14. Golf Par 3, Driving Range, Mini-Putt
valley
valley
valley
valley
valley
valley
valley
valley
east
east
valley
valley
east
valley
valley
50,000
3,72O
3,000
65,L54
2,256
6,000
21,000
151,13O
3.00
L.70
o.25
3.60
1.00
o.44
4.36
14.35
10.95
8.40
28.80
30.40
2.30
Lt.49
92.34
131.00
36.00
LL,296
1,800
9
chapter 3 - Park Inventory & Classification
Total 273.69 L64,226
x** City Leased Land
Natural Resource Parks that are passive in nature and include areas of
openness, environmentally sensitive areas, or wildlife habitat. Amenities include
passive recreation elements such as benches, bird watching platforms, fishing,
trails, and open green areas.
Facility
1. Anderson Greenbelt
2. Campus Park
3. Clark Lake Park (includes Lake rental 2.06)
4. Eagle Scout Park
5. Foster Park
6. Green River Natural Resources Area*x
7. Green River Corridor/Trail
8. Ikuta Property Donation
9. Interurban Trail
10. Kennebeck Avenue
11. Lake Fenwick Park
12. Mill Creek Canyon Park
13. North Meridian Park
14. Old Fire Station
15. Puget Power Trail
16. Springbrook Greenbelt
17. West Canyon Open Space
18. Willis Street Greenbelt*
Total
Facility
1. 132nd Avenue Park (Dow Property)
2, 277th Corridor Park
3. Eagle Creek Park
4. Hopkins Open Space
5. Kronisch Property
6. Midway Reservoir (W. Hill Neighborhood Park)
7. Naden Ave. Property
8. Rainier View Estates
9. Riverview Park
10. Valley Floor Community Park & Ball fields
Location
valley
east
east
valley
valley
valley
valley
valley
valley
valley
west
east
east
west
valley
valley
west
valley
Acres
4.00
16.50
L29.LL
0.s0
4.00
310.00
39.35
0.90
10.35
0.10
L4r.34
LO7.25
67.06
0.2L
20.00
5.00
5.00
4.00
464.67
x Leased Land; xx Public Works Managed
Undeveloped - Land area acquired by the city that has not yet been developed or
programmed for recreational use.
Location
east
east
east
east
west
west
valley
east
valley
valley
Acres
4.56
4.58
1.00
L.34
0.70
9.67
6.45
L.L7
L4.40
50.05
93,92
10
Total
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FIGURE 5
PARKS & RECREATIOI{
FACILITIES
LEGEND
EXISTING CONDITIONS
I Naturaf Resource (open Space/G reenways/Trails)
I Neighborhood parks
I community parks
Recreation Facilities
W undevetoped
. Other Public Parks & Open Space
:.1i.î:ai:* Maintenance Facitities
------ Trails
CITY LIMITS
i-l PoTENTTAL ANNEXATToN AREA
Downtown Detail:
City of Kent Planning Area
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SCALE: 1" = 4,000'
crry oF KENT - Park & Open Space Plan - 2010
Urban Center & Green River Subareas
Kent contains two distinct areas comprising several parks. These areas are
included in the inventory under Community Parks. Kent's downtown includes 10
parks, which together, form the Urban Center Community Parks. Parks within the
Urban Center collectively provide a variety of amenities such as play areas, picnic
tables, skate and basketball facilities, and passive open green areas. During
festivals and other events downtown, these parks serve as gathering places and
key focal points.
The Green River features 13 parks stretching from Briscoe Park at the northern city
limits to the 277th trail connection at the southern limits. Several of the parks
provide passive green space, two are undeveloped, and the remaining provide a
variety of amenities for fishing, play, barbecues, picnics and bicycling. Each of
these subareas provides a distinct experience for park users based on the area.
Greenways
Greenways provide a contrast to urban density. They combine the natural functions
and separations provided by a greenbelt with the linear and connected orientation
of a parkway. Greenways are present
in many existing parks and within
privately owned property. They
commonly exist because they include
environmentally sensitive areas such
as wetlands, streams or steep slopes.
One of the most prominent greenways
in Kent is within Mill Creek Earthworks
Park, which stafts at the base of the
east hill and continues up the hill along
both sides of Mill Creek. This
greenway includes an urban forest,
stream, wetlands, wildlife habitat and
steep slopes. In addition to the
environmental benefits of this area, Mill
Creek Greenway provides a break in
the urban landscape and has the
potential to provide a much needed
connection between the city center and
the east hill.
Given the limitations of public
resources, urban greenway systems must be sensibly created and carefully
Mill Creek Canyon Greenway
11
chapter 3 - Park Inventory & Classification
managed. Urban greenways, such as
the Mill Creek Greenway, can provide multiple benefits at an affordable price to a
wide array of residents, since many greenways are already under public ownership
and can be utilized for several purposes. As greenways are increasingly used for
other purposes, it is important to provide access to residents in a safe manner, with
thought given to crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) and other
methods to increase visibility and safety for park users.
Green Kent
Protecting natural areas in an urbanized area requires an active resource
management program to provide long-term environmental, recreational, and social
benefits.
Green Kent, an urban forest management program currently being developed, will
identify present conditions across approximately 2,000 acres of public land, and
determine the resources required to realize a 20-year strategic plan of action. The
long-term strategy will become the driving force to engage community groups and
build a network of support to achieve city-wide forest and natural area restoration
goals.
The following are Green Kent's goals:
1) Connect people to nature and improve the quality of life in Kent by restoring
urban forests and other urban open spaces;
2) Galvanize an informed, involved, and active community around urban forest
restoration and stewardship; and
3) Improve urban forest health, and enhance urban forest long-term
sustainability, by removing invasive plants and maintaining functional native
forest communities.
72
crrY oF KENr - Park & O ce Plan - 2o1o
13
chapter 4 - Goals & Policies
4. Goals and Policies
The following goals and policies express how the City's park and open space system
would best develop over the coming years and details measurable steps toward
achieving these goals.
Overall Goal: Encourage and provide opportunities for local residents to participate in
life- enrichment activities via the development of park land and recreational facilities,
preservation and enhancement of environmentally sensitive areas, professional
programming, and the optimum utilization of community resources.
L Park & Recreation Facilities Goals & Policies
Develop a high-quality, diversified recreational system for all abilities, ages and
interest groups.
Goal P&OS-l:
Work with other agencies to preserve and increase waterfront access and facilities
Policy P&OS-1.1: Cooperate with King County, Kent, Federal Way and
Highline School Districts, and other public and private agencies to acquire and
preserve additional shoreline access for waterfront fishing, wading, swimming,
and other related recreational activities and pursuits, especially on the Green
Riveç Lake Fenwick, Clark Lake, Lake Meridian, and Panther Lake.
Policy P&OS-1.2: Develop a mixture of oppoftunities for watercraft access,
including canoe, kayak, sailboard, and other nonpower-boating activities,
especially on the Green Riveç Lake Fenwick, Clark Lake, Lake Meridian, and
Panther Lake, where practicable.
Goal P&OS-2:
Work with other public agencies and private organizations, including but not limited to
the Kent and Federal Way School Districts, to develop a high-quality system of athletic
facilities for competitive play.
Policy P&OS-2.1: Develop athletic facilities that meet the highest quality
standards and requirements for competitive playing for all abilities, age groups,
skill levels, and recreational interests.
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crry oF KENr - Park & Open Space Plan - 2010
Policy P&OS-2.2: Develop field and court activities like socceç football,
baseball, basketball, softball, tennis, roller hockey, and volleyball that provide
for the largest number of pafticipants, and allow for multiple use, where
appropriate.
Policy P&OS-2.3: Develop, where appropriate, a select number of facilities
that provide the highest standard for competitive playing, possibly in
conjunction with King County, Kent and Federal Way School Districts, and other
public agencies and private organizations.
Goal P&OS-3:
Develop, maintain, and operate a high-quality system of indoor facilities that provide
activities and programs for the interests of all physical and mental capabilities, age,
and interest groups in the community.
Policy P&OS-3.1: Maintain and expand multiple-use indoor community
centers, such as the Senior Activity Center and Kent Memorial Park Building,
that provide arts and crafts, music, video, classroom instruction, meeting
facilities, eating and health care, day care, and other spaces for all age groups,
including preschool, youth, teens, and seniors on a year-round basis.
Policy P&OS-3.2: Maintain and expand multiple-use indoor recreational
centers, such as Kent Commons and the Kent-Meridian Pool, that provide
aquatic, physical conditioning, gymnasiums, recreational courts, and other
athletic spaces for all abilities, age groups, skill levels, and community interests
on a year-round basis.
Policy P&OS-3.3: Support the continued development and diversification by
the Kent, Highline, and Federal Way School Districts of special meeting,
assembly, eating, health, and other community facilities that provide
opportunities to school-age populations and the community at large at
elementary middle, and high schools within Kent and the Potential Annexation
Area.
Policy P&OS-3.4: Develop and operate special índoor and outdoor cultural
and performing arts facilities that enhance and expand music, dance, drama,
and other audience and pafticipatory opportunities for the community at large.
15
ter4- Goals&Policies
Goal P&OS-4:
Where appropriate, develop and operate specialized park and recreational enterprises
that meet the interest of populations who are able and willing to finance them.
Policy P&OS-4.1: Where appropriate and economically feasible (i.e., self-
suppofting), develop and operate specialized and special interest recreational
facilities like golf, ice skating, frisbee golf, mountain biking and archery ranges.
Policy P&OS-4.2: Where appropriate, initiate with other public agencies and
private organizations joint planning and operating programs to determine and
provide for special activities like golf, archery, gun ranges, off-leash areas,
model airplane flying areas, frisbee golf, mountain biking and camping on a
regional basis.
Goal P&OS-S:
Develop and operate a balanced system of neighborhood and community parks, with
active and passive recreational opportunities throughout the City.
Policy P&OS-S,1: Acquire and develop parks to meet the level-of-service
needs as Kent's population grows and areas are annexed.
Policy P&OS-5.2: Identify neighborhoods bordered by arterial streets and
geographic features that act as natural barriers. Set aside neighborhood park
land within each neighborhood to meet the levels-of-service.
Policy P&OS-5.3: Develop amenities in parks for individual and group use,
active and passive uses, while representing the best interests of the
neighborhood or community as a whole.
Policy P&OS-5.4: Encourage new single-family and multifamily residential,
and commercial developments to provide recreation elements.
II. Open Space and Greenway Goals & Policies
Develop a high-quality, diversified and interconnected park system that preserves and
sensitively enhances significant open spaces, greenways and urban forests. The
establishment of greenways as urban separators is a strategy that promotes
connectivity of Kent's open space system.
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crry oF KENr - Park & Open Space Plan - 2010
Goal P&OS-6:
Establish an open space pattern that will provide definition of and separation between
developed areas, and provide open space and greenway linkages among park and
recreational resources.
Policy P&OS-6.1r Define and conserve a system of open space and greenway
corridors as urban separators to provide definition between natural areas and
urban land uses within the Kent area.
Policy P&OS-6.2: Increase linkages of trails, in-street bikes lanes, or other
existing or planned connections with greenways and open space, particularly
along the Green Riveç Mill Creek, Garrison Creek, and Soos Creek corridors;
around Lake Fenwick, Clark Lake, Lake Meridian, Panther Lake, and Lake
Youngs; and around significant wetland and floodways such as the Green River
Natural Resource Area (GRNRA).
Policy P&OS-6.3: Preserve and enhance, through acquisition as necessary,
environmentally sensitive areas as greenway linkages and urban separators,
particularly along the steep hillsides that define both sides of the Green River
Valley and the SE 277th/272nd Street corridon
Goal P&OS-7I
Identify and protect significant recreational lands before they are lost to development.
Policy P&OS-7.1: Cooperate with other public and private agencies and with
private landowners to protect land and resources near residential
neighborhoods for high-quality, low impact park and recreational facilities
before the most suitable sites are lost to development. Suitable sites include
wooded, undeveloped, and sensitive lands along the Green Riveç Soos Creek,
Garrison Creek, and Mill Creek Canyon corridors, and lands adjacent to the
Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) power line rights-of-way.
Policy P&OS-7.2: In future land developments, preserve unique
environmental features or areas, and increase public use of and access to these
areas. Cooperate with other public and private agencies and with private
landowners to protect unique features or areas as low impact publicly
accessible resources, particularly along the Green River, Soos Creek, Garrison
Creek, Mill Canyon, and SE 277th/272nd Street corridors.
t7
chapter q - Goals & Policies
III. Trail and Corridor System Goals & Policies
Develop a high-quality system of multipurpose park trails and corridors that provide
access to significant environmental features, public facilities, and developed
neighborhoods and business districts.
Goal P&OS-8:
Create a comprehensive system of multipurpose off-road and on-road trail systems
that link park and recreational resources with residential areas, public facilities,
commercial, and employment centers both within Kent and within the region.
Policy P&OS-8.1: Where appropriate, create a comprehensive system of
multipurpose off-road trails using alignments of the Puget Power rights-of-way,
Soos Creek Trail, Mill Creek Trail, Lake Fenwick Trail, Green River Trail,
Interurban Trail, Parkside Wetlands Trail, and Green River Natural Resource
Area (GRNRA).
Policy P&OS-8,2: Create a comprehensive system of on-road trails to
improve connectivity for the bicycle commuteç recreational, and touring
enthusiasts using scenic, collectoç and local road rights-of-way and alignments.
Policy P&OS-8.3: Provide connections from residential neighborhoods to
community facilities like Kent Commons, the Senior Activity Cente[ the Kent-
Meridian Pool, schools, parks, and commercial districts.
Policy P&OS-8,4: Work with Renton, Auburn, Tukwila, Federal Way, Des
Moines, Covington, King County, and other appropriate jurisdictions to link and
extend Kent trails to other community and regional trail facilities like the Green
River, Interurban, and Soos Creek Trails.
Policy P&OS-8,5: With proposed vacation of right-of-way and street
improvement plans, consider potential connectivity with existing or proposed
trail corridors, parks, and neighborhoods.
Policy P&OS-8.6: Link trails with elementary and middle schools, the
downtown core, and other commercial and retail activity centers on East and
West Hills.
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crry oF KENr - Park & Open Space Plan - 2010
Policy P&OS-8.7: Extend trails through natural area corridors like the Green
Riveç Mill Creek, Garrison Creek, and Soos Creek, and around natural features
like Lake Fenwick, Clark Lake, Lake Meridian and Panther Lake in order to
provide a high-quality, diverse sampling of Kent's environmental resources.
Policy P&OS 8.8: Revise development regulations so that key trail links, that
are identified within the corridor ffiâp, are provided to the City during the
development approval process.
Goal P&OS-9:
Furnish trail corridors, trailheads, and other supporting sites with convenient
amenities and improvements.
Policy P&OS-9.1: Furnish trail systems with appropriate trailhead supporting
improvements that include interpretive and directory signage, rest stops,
drinking fountains, restrooms, parking and loading areas, wate[ and other
services.
Policy P&OS-9.2: Where appropriate, locate trailheads at or in conjunction
with park sites, schools, and other community facilities to increase local area
access to the trail system and to reduce duplication of suppofting
improvements and amenities.
Policy P&OS-9.3: Design and develop trail improvements which emphasize
safety for users and are easy to maintain and easy to access by maintenance,
security, and other appropriate personnel, equipment, and vehicles.
IV. Historic and Cultural Resources Goals & Policies
Develop a high-quality, diversified park system that includes preservation of
significant historic and cultural resources, as well as programs to recognize the City's
multicultural heritage.
Goal P&OS-lO:
Preserve, enhance, and incorporate historic and cultural resources and multicultural
interests into the park and recreational system,
19
chapter 4 - Goals & Policies
Policy P&OS-lO.1: Identify, preserve, and enhance Kent's multicultural
heritage, traditions, and cultural resources including historic sites, buildings,
aftwork, views, monuments and archaeological resources.
Policy P&OS-lO.2: Identify and incorporate significant historic and cultural
resource lands, sites, aftifacts, and facilities into the park system to preserve
these interests and to provide a balanced social experience. These areas
include the original alignment for the interurban electric rail service between
Seattle and Tacoma, the James Street historical waterfront site, and the
Downtown train depot, among others.
Policy P&OS-1O.3: Work with the Kent Historical Society and other cultural
resource groups to incorporate community activities at historic homes and sites
into the park and recreational program,
Goal P&OS-I1:
Incorporate man-made environments and features into the park and recreational
system.
Policy P&OS-11,1: Incorporate interesting, man-made environments,
structures, activities, and areas into the park system to preserve these features
and to provide a balanced park and recreational experience. Examples include
the earthworks in Mill Creek Canyon Park and art in public places.
Policy P&OS-11.2: Work with propefty and facility owners to increase public
access to and utilization of these special features.
V. Cultural A¡ts Programs and Resources Goals & Policies
Develop high-quality, diversified cultural afts facilities and programs that
community awareness, attendance, and other opportunities for pafticipation.
tncrease
Goal P&OS-12:
Work with the afts community to utilize local resources and talents to increase public
access to aftwork and programs.
Policy P&OS-12.1:
Commission, business
Support successful collaborations among the Arts
community, service groups, cultural organizations,
20
clry oF KENr - Paqk & Open Space Plan - 2010
schools, afts patrons, and artists to utilize aftistic resources and talents to the
optimum degree possible.
Policy P&OS-12.2: Develop strategies that will support and assist local artists
and art organizations. Where appropriate, develop and support policies and
programs that encourage or provide incentives to attract and retain artists and
aftwork within the Kent community.
Goal P&OS-13:
Acquire and display public aftwork to furnish public facilities and other areas and
thereby increase public access and appreciation.
Policy P&OS-13.1¡ Acquire public aftwork including paintings, sculptures,
exhibits, and other media for indoor and outdoor display in order to expand
access by residents and to furnish public places in an appropriate manner.
Policy P&OS-13,2: Develop strategies that will support capital and operations
funding for public artwork within parks and facilities.
VI. W¡ldlife and Natural Preservation Goals & Policies
Incorporate and preserve unique ecological features and resources into the park
system in order to protect threatened plant and animal species, preserve and enhance
fish and wildlife habitat, and retain migration corridors for local fish and wildlife. Such
incorporation is intended to limit habitat degradation associated with human activities.
Goal P&OS-14:
Designate critical fish and wildlife habitat resources and areas.
Policy P&OS-14.1¡ Identify and conserve critical fish and wildlife habitat
including nesting sites, foraging areas, and wildlife mitigation corridors within
or adjacent to natural areas, open spaces, and developed urban areas.
Policy P&OS-14.2: Acquire, enhance and preserve habitat sites that support
threatened species and urban wildlife habitat, in priority corridors and natural
areas with habitat value such as the Green River Corridor, the Green River
Natural Resources Area (GRNRA), Nofth Meridian Park, Soos Creek, Mill Creek,
and Clark Lake Park,
27
chapter 4 - Goals & Policies
Policy P&OS-14.3: Enhance fish and wildlife habitat within parks, open
space, and environmentally sensitive areas by maintaining a healthy urban
forest with native vegetation that provides food, cover, and shelteç by utilizing
best management practices.
Goal P&OS-1Sr
Preserve and provide access to significant environmental features, where such access
does not cause harm to the environmental functions associated with the features.
Policy P&OS-15.1t Preserve and protect significant environmental features
including environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands, open spaces,
woodlands, shorelines, waterfronts, and other features that support wildlife and
reflect Kent's natural heritage.
Policy P&os-15.2: Acquire, and where appropriate, provide limited public
access to environmentally sensitive areas and sites that are especially unique
to the Kent area, such as the Green River, Soos Creek, Garrison Creek and Mill
creek corridors, the Green River Natural Resource Area (GRNRA), and the
shorelines of Lake Meridian, Panther Lake, Lake Fenwick, and Clark Lake.
Goal P&OS-16: Develop and maintain an Urban Forestry Management Program
Policy P&OS-16.1 Connect people to nature and improve the quality of life in
Kent by restoring urban forests and other urban open spaces.
Policy P&OS-16.2 Galvanize the community around urban forest restoration
and stewardship through a volunteer restoration program.
Policy P&OS-16.3 Improve urban forest health, and enhance urban forest
long-term sustainability, by removing invasive plants and maintaining
functional native forest communities.
VII. Design and Access Goals & Policies
Design and develop facilities that are accessible, safe, and easy to maintain, with life-
cycle features that account for long-term costs and benefits.
Goal P&OS-17:
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crrY oF KENr - Park & Open Space Plan - 2o1o
Design park and recreational indoor and outdoor facilities to be accessible to all
physical capabilities, skill levels, age groups, income levels, and activity interests,
Policy P&OS-17.1: Design outdoor picnic areas, fields, courts, playgrounds,
trails, parking lots, restrooms/ and other active and supporting facilities to be
accessible to individuals and organized groups of all physical capabilities, skill
levels, age groups, income levels, and activity interests.
Policy P&OS-17.2¡ Design indoor facility spaces, activity rooms, restrooms,
hallways, parking lots, and other active and suppofting spaces and
improvements to be accessible to individuals and organized groups of all
physical capabilities, skill levels, age groups, income levels, and activity
interests.
Goal P&OS-18:
Design and develop park and recreational facilities to be of low-maintenance
materials.
Policy P&OS-18.1: Design and develop facilities that are of low-maintenance
and high-capacity design to reduce overall facility maintenance and operation
requirements and costs.
Policy P&OS-18,2: Where appropriate, use low-maintenance materials,
settings, or other value-engineering conçiderations that reduce care and
security requirements, while retaining the natural conditions and environment.
Policy P&OS-18.3r Where possible in landscaping parks, encourage the use
of low maintenance native plants.
Goal P&OS-19:
Identify and implement the security and safety provisions of the American Disabilities
Act (ADA), Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED), and other
standards.
Policy P&OS-19.1: Implement the provisions and requirements of the
American Disabilities Act (ADA), Crime Prevention through Environmental
Design (CPTED), and other design and development standards that will
23
chapter 4 - Goals & Policies
improve park safety and security features for users, department personnel, and
the public at large.
Policy P&OS-19.2: Develop and implement safety standards, procedures,
and programs that will provide proper training and awareness for department
personnel.
Policy P&OS-19.3: Define and enforce rules and regulations concerning park
activities and operations that will protect user groups, department personnel,
and the public at large.
Policy P&OS-19.4: Where appropriate, use adopt-a-park programs,
neighborhood park watches, and other innovative programs that will increase
safety and security awareness and visibility.
VIII, Fiscal Coordination Goals & Policies
Create effective and efficient methods of acquiring, developing, operating, and
maintaining facilities and programs that distribute costs and benefits to public and
private interests,
Goal P&OS-2O:
Investigate innovative methods of financing park and recreational requirements,
including joint ventures with other public agencies and private organizations, and
private donations.
Policy P&OS-2O.1: Investigate innovative, available methods, such as growth
impact fees, land set-a-side or fee-in-lieu-of-donation ordinances, and
interlocal agreements, to finance facility development, maintenance, and
operating needs in order to reduce costs, retain financial flexibility, match user
benefits and interests, and increase facilíty services.
Policy P&OS-2O.2: Where feasible and desirable, consider joint ventures with
King County, Kent, Highline, and Federal Way School Districts, regional, state,
federal, and other public agencies and private organizations, including for-profit
concessionaires to acquire and develop regional facilities (i.e., swimming pool,
off-leash park, etc.).
24
crry oF KENr - Park & Open Space Plan - 2010
Policy P&OS-2O.3: Maintain and support a Park Foundation to investigate
grants and private funds, develop a planned giving program and solicit private
donations to finance facility development, acquisition, maintenance, programs,
services, and operating needs.
Goal P&OS-21:
Coordinate public and private resources to create among agencies a balanced local
park and recreational system.
Policy P&OS-21.1: Create a comprehensive, balanced park and recreational
system that integrates Kent facilities and services with resources available from
King County, Kent and Federal Way School Districts, and other state, federal,
and private park and recreational lands and facilities, in a manner that will best
serve and provide for the interests of area residents.
Policy P&OS-21.2: Cooperate, via joint planning and development efforts,
with King County, Kent and Federal Way School Districts, and other public and
private agencies to avoid duplication, improve facility quality and availability,
reduce costs, and represent interests of area residents.
Goal P&OS-22¡
Create and institute a method of cost/benefit and performance measure assessment
to determine equitable park and recreation costs, levels of service, and provision of
facilities,
Policy P&OS-22.1: In order to effectively plan and program park and
recreational needs within the existing city limits and the potential annexation
area, define existing and proposed land and facility levels-of-service (LOS) that
differentiate requirements due to the impacts of population growth as opposed
to improvements to existing facilities, neighborhood as opposed to community
nexus of benefit, requirements in the City as opposed to requirements in the
Potential Annexation Area.
Policy P&OS-22.2: Create effective and efficient methods of acquiring,
developing, operating, and maintaining park and recreational facilities in
manners that accurately distribute costs and benefits to public and private user
interests. This includes the application of growth impact fees where new
developments impact level-of-service (LOS) standards.
25
4- Goals&Policies
Policy P&OS-22.3: Develop and operate lifetime recreational programs that
serve the broadest needs of the population and that recover program and
operating costs using a combination of registration fees, user fees, grants,
sponsorships, donations, scholarships, volunteer efforts, and the use of general
funds.
26
crry oF KENT - Park & Open Space Plan - 2010
5. Needs Analysis
Level of Service (LOS)
Under the Growth Management Act (GMA), communities are responsible for
providing public facilities without decreasing levels of service below locally
established minimums (RCW 36.70A.020(12)). Measuring the adequacy of our
Parks and Open Spaces requires an established set of standards. Level of service
(LOS) standards are measures of the amount of a public facility which must be
provided to meet the community's basic needs and expectations. The GMA allows
flexibility in establishing level of service standards that meet local needs and
expectations.
Over the past 30 years, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has
developed guidelines and standards for parks, recreation and open space. NRPA
first published guidelines in L97L and revised them in 1983 through the Recreation,
Park, and Open Space Standards and Guidelines, to serve as a basis for developing
standards at the community level. The NRPA no longer recommends a standard for
facility and park land based on population ratios; however the NRPA recommends
that because every community is different, standards should be developed by the
community and used as a guide in planning.
The former NRPA guidelines are used throughout the United States, and Kent's
L994 Comprehensive Park and Recreation Plan level of service standards were
developed with these standards, which represent the minimum for which a
community should strive. The level of service standards established in the t994
Comprehensive Park and Recreation Plan and adopted by City Council remain an
appropriate guideline today; however with the changing demographics of Kent, the
City may want to consider establishing new standards or supplemental measures in
future years.
Future demand for park and recreation facilities is based on comparing projected
populations with Kent's park and recreation standards. Park and recreation needs
are related directly to the characteristics of a city's population. The City's
population is projected to increase to 133,347 (or L33,857 including all potential
annexation areas) by year 2031. Table 1 shows Kent's level of service from 1993-
2003. Table 2 shows Kent's level of service for the year 2009 and projections for
the year 2O3t. Table 2 is based on a reorganized park and open space inventory
that more accurately classifies park land based on current use and investment
(developed/undeveloped/athletic facílities/natural resource). While the park and
open spaces are broken down differently in the two tables, the overall LOS numbers
are comparable and show a steady decline in the number of acres per 1000 people
and square feet per person as the population increases.
27
Chapter s - lleeds Analysis
1993 1996 1998 2000 2003
Population 41,000 45,000 70,L40 79,524 84,275
Neighborhood Parks 2.53 ac 1.58 ac 1.56 ac.1.45 ac.1.13 ac.
Community Parks 18.19 ac 18.4 ac.L4 ac.
L3.72
ac.14.85 ac.
Golf Course (holes/1000)0.56 0.6 0.38 0.38 o.32
Recreation Facilities (sq.
feet/person)2.33 2.L2 1.36 L.2 1.13
Overall LOS (acres/1000)20.72 19.98 15.56 L5.L7 15.98
Overall LOS (sq. ft./person)2.33 2.L2 1.36 t.2 1.13
Table 1: LOS L993-2OO3
Table 2: LOS 2OO9 & 2031
2009 2031
Population 88,380 L33,347
Natural Resource 9.2 ac 6.5 ac
Neiqhborhood Parks
0.92
ac..68 ac.
Community Parks
L.27
ac..83 ac
Recreation Facilities
Indoor (sq.
ft/person)1.86 1. 13
Outdoor
(acres/1000)2.8 1.9
Undeveloped
1.05
ac.0,70 ac.
Overall LOS (acres/1000)L5.24 10.81
Overall LOS
(sq.ft.lperson)1.86 1.13
In orderto maintain the current level of service of L5.24 acres per 1000 people, the
following amounts of additional park land would need to be acquired:
28
crry oF KENT - Park & Open Space Plan - 2010
685 acres - 203L pop of L33,347
693 acres - 2031 pop of L33,857 (includes potential annexation areas)
It is important to note that level of service standards are typically quantitative,
measuring the size, amount or capacity of a facility. These standards represent
only one measure of a successful park system and do not address the quality or
investment in each facility. Future LOS standards that include both qualitative and
quantitative measures may more fully capture how Kent's parks and open spaces
are meeting the community's needs.
Neighborhood Service Areas
Another tool used to determine what and where improvements need to be made is
with the use of our Neighborhood Service Area Map. The City is divided into 48
neighborhood service areas that are bounded by major arterial streets, geographic
features (steep topography, rivers etc.), and other barriers that would make it
difficult for users to reach the designated park for each area. This method breaks
the city into smaller service areas where parks facilities may easíly serve a specific
neighborhood. Providing parks in each area allows residents to easily access a park
in their neighborhood.
Figure 6: Neighborhood Service Area Map
Legend
! Neignborhootl Parksewice
I ParkFacilties
Potential Annexåùor Areã
Cry Ltrib
While 24 of the areas are served by a neighborhood park, eight neighborhoods are
served by community parks (Three Friends, Van Doren's Landing Park, Russell
3
5
4
6
9 10
¡3
2ø !6
j-J
"i)a-&e
4-
30
36 T¿
3A
39
4t
,&q
4Ta
29
s - Needs Anal is
Woods, Kent Memorial Park, Russell Road, Clark Lake Park, Urban Center Parks and
Wilson Playfields) that have elements typically found in a neighborhood park. Four
neighborhoods have undeveloped or minimally developed community parks (132nd
Street Park, West Hill, Eagle Creek, and Valley Floor Community Park), which will
service neighborhood needs when fully developed. Five neighborhood service areas
are primarily industrial and no neighborhood parks are proposed in these areas.
Two service areas are low density residential with agricultural or industrial land
uses and no designated neighborhood park. These areas have a combined
population of 156 people (2000 Census) and will be monitored for future park
needs. Four service areas have no park space (NSA #tL,2L,30,4L).
Within the Panther Lake area, three service areas have either no park land or the
parks serving the areas are deficient (NSA #4,9, L6). The remaining service area,
located entirely within the Panther Lake annexation area, is served by a community
park.
Neighborhood parks are needed in seven Neighborhood Service Areas which
currently have no park space or are in need of additional amenities or
improvements, three of which are located in the Panther Lake Area (NSA #4,9, LL,
L6,2r,30, 41).
Demographics
Considerable growth and large annexations over the past 20 years has significantly
increased Kent's population and the number of people our parks serve. Families
make up the majority of households in Kent with more seniors and children than
ever before. Kent is also rapidly becoming more diverse, with many different
cultures represented in the City. As our community becomes more diverse, as it
ages and families grow, the needs of the community in terms of parks and open
space, change. Not only has the need for parks and open spaces increased with the
population, future park investments need to also consider the increasingly diverse
population and the growing numbers of seniors and children.
Public Participation
The building of a city's parks and open spaces is largely directed by community
values, priorities, and resources. Kent has worked with the community in an
ongoing dialogue to gauge residents' parks and open space values. Over the years
we have relied upon surveys, workshops, questionnaires and consultation with the
Parks and Human Services Committee. Feedback has been valuable in setting
priorities and allocating resources.
An informal survey was taken during the spring of 2009, preceding the park plan
update, in order to obtain the community's ideas and opinions about the existing
30
crry oF KENr - Park & Open Space PIan - 2010
park system, deficiencies, and priorities for the coming years. While the survey
was not geographically representative or scientific, it is helpful to use the survey
responses as a general guide. Respondents rated trails, open space and natural
areas as extremely important followed by major parks and small neighborhood
parks. Park security and maintenance were also noted as a top prioríty in the
coming years,
In addition to the survey, a public workshop was held in September 2009 to further
refine the areas of focus in the Park Plan and supplement the comments received
through the survey. Participants commented on the need to maintain our existing
facilities and to make use of underutilized areas. Participants expressed a desire
for better connectivity between parks and throughout the City. A detailed
description of the survey, public workshop and other efforts to solicit public input
can be found in Appendix A.
In order to address the community's park and open space needs, short- and long-
term implementation priorities and funding options are discussed in the following
chapter.
Regional Coordinat¡on
Coordination with school districts, neighboring jurisdictions, other public agencies
and private organizations is an important piece of Kent's strategy in providing a
high level of service to our residents and users. Regional coordination is identified
in the goals and policy section of the plan (P&OS Goals 20,2L).
There are some needs that warrant a regional approach to meeting demand for
specific types of parks. The trail systems (Green River & Interurban) in Kent
require extensive coordination with King County and neighboring jurisdictions due
to our combined interest in providing an interconnected trail system that functions
as one parks facility for people throughout the region.
The need for a dog park serving the east hill of Kent, Covington and unincorporated
King County is another area where a regional solution would best serve park users.
A regional dog park would allow resources to be pooled and prevent duplication in
services where one larger facility may more effectively meet the need of several
jurisdictions.
Urban forest restoration is another area that would benefit from intergovernmental
coordination. As Kent embarks on creating an urban forest management plan,
coordination with other jurisdictions who are also implementing urban forestry
programs will provide us a greater understanding of how plans have functioned in
other areas.
31
chapter 5 - Needs Analysis
Kent will continue to explore other areas where regional coordination may better
serve the residents of our City and users throughout the region.
32
cITy oF KENT - Park & Open Space Plan - 2010
6. Implementation
Overview
The following recommendations for implementing the Park Plan focus on park
acquisition, development and redevelopment. Implementing the recommendations
contained in this Plan will depend on both opportunity and funding availability. As
competing demands escalate for increasingly limited City resources, creative
solutions are needed to fund park-related projects. Realization of the Park Plan will
take time and will require a sound and realistic financing strategy.
This section establishes both short- and long-term priorities. The long-term
program described in this section addresses what is needed to build upol our
established park and open space system over the next 20 years. The short-term
program defines more immediate needs over the next 10 years. The challenge for
Kent in the short term will be finding a balance between focusing on immediate
needs and remaining flexible to take advantage of unique opportunities of great
long-term benefit.
To achieve long-term priorities, it is important to continue to acquire key parcels
during the next 10 years. The ability to realize our long range plans for our parks
and open spaces requires an ongoing effort to obtain property for community and
neighborhood parks in the short term. The rate of acquisition however, may be
slower than in past years due to a pressing need for redevelopment and renovation
of existing parks.
Development and redevelopment are equally important to provide residents a
variety of recreation opportunities. Redevelopment of existing park facilities and
development of new facilities must be balanced in a way that maintains our existing
investments while also providing new opportunities and facilities to meet demand
and changing needs. Renovation of facilities plays a role in ensuring a safe,
functional and well-maintained park system.
Core Themes
The Park Department proposes to focus attention on four major core themes in
order to meet the short- and long-term needs of the community.
1. Kent's Leoacv Preserv inq Kent's Park Svstem: Over the past several
decades, Kent has developed an established network of parks, open spaces
and recreation facilities totaling more than 1,400 acres. A key component of
the Park Plan is to recognize and re-invest in our existing facilities. As
expressed in our park survey, security and maintenance ranked as a top
33
a- Im entation
priority for park users. Continued maintenance and re-investment will
ensure that existing facilities continue to provide recreational benefits for
years to come.
2. Athletic Fields - A New Approach: In order to meet the needs of organized
sports, the Park Plan introduces a shift in how athletic fields are developed,
from traditional single use facilities within separate spaces, to multi-use
facilities that take advantage of technology and partnerships in order to
maximize space. This approach would provide facilities that accommodate a
wide array of organized sports, which recognizes Kent's diverse culture. This
shift also recognizes that easily developable land is much more expensive
and increasingly difficult to find in an urbanizing city. Creative solutions to
providing sports fields for year-round use will be an important element of the
Plan's implementation,
3. Green Kent - Managing Our Urban Forest: Green Kent, an urban forest
management program currently being developed in partnership with the
Cascade Land Conservancy, seeks to protect and maintain all Parks and
Public Works owned urban forest and natural areas, These areas provide
many benefits to our park users and residents, by providing a contrast to
urban density, creating links between parks and other areas of interest as
well as providing habitat and environmental benefits. Stewarding Kent's
urban forest will ensure the long- term health of these areas so that they
may provide benefits for generations to come,
4. Connectivity - A Vision for Trail & Greenway Corridors: Kent's park system,
which is built on a suburban grid, can become better connected through the
use of trails, greenways, and existing recreational corridors. The Park Plan
seeks to emphasize connectivity between parks, schools, neighborhoods and
other areas of public interest to create easy access to the outdoors and
recreation. A connected system becomes a part of the community fabric,
weavíng together elements of our daily lives.
Kent is lucky to have several existing corridors which are either substantially
connected or have the potential to make important connections across the
City, The Green River Trail follows the meandering Green River along the
west side of the City and provides links to the downtown core. The
Interurban Trail, which follows the Union Pacific Railroad, provides a major
non-motorized north-south corridor through the central valley of Kent and
extends to Kent's surrounding communities of Tukwila and Auburn, serving
as a regional connection. A third north-south corridor is located on the
34
Co nnectivity Trails, B¡k¡ ng & Paths
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crry oF KENT - Park & Open Space Plan - 2010
eastern limits of the city. The Soos Creek Trail provides 9.5 miles along Soos
Creek on the east hill. This trail has the potential to connect further to the
north and south. An underutilized corridor, Mill Creek Canyon, stretches
from Earthworks Park up the east hill. This corridor provides a valuable
connection from the valley to the east hill of Kent, where connections are
difficult to make outside of existing right-of-way due to grades and existing
development.
Additional existing and potential corridors are identified in Figure 7,
Connectivity - Trails, Biking & Paths Conceptual Corridor Map. The corridors
identified in this section and in Figure 7 were identified during the park plan
update process in an effort to address the need for greater connectivity
between parks and other points of interest. The identified corridors are
conceptual in nature and intend to provide a long term vision of a corridor
system where significant areas of interest are linked and easily accessible to
our users. It is important to note that these corridors are not the same as
the LOS corridors identified within the Transportation Master Plan.
Connectivity is a City-wide goal and the park plan seeks to compliment
existing plans, such as the Transportation Master Plan.
The next step for furthering the vision of connectivity is to establish a trails,
bikeways and paths plan that evaluates how best to build on our existing trail
system and move toward a connected system. A trails, bikeways and paths
plan would examine current resources, potential corridor routes, and specify
future projects needed to achieve connectivity.
Long Term Capital Recommendations (201O-2O3O)
Over the past several decades Kent's park system has grown and developed to
include an impressive collection of parks and open spaces totaling over 1,400 acres
in size. Strategic investments over time have allowed Kent to develop a fantastic
legacy, with much to be proud of. The City's existing parks and open spaces have
developed on a suburban grid, and as the size and population of Kent increases, the
makeup of the community is becoming more dense and urban in nature.
This Plan sets the stage to build upon Kent's legacy in order to best serve a more
urban and diverse community. It will require finding the right balance, in the
allocation of our limited resources, between current development/redevelopment
efforts and acquiring land for future development. Our success will depend on
carefully defining and articulating a clear vision, maintaining community support
and crafting a realistic funding package.
35
chapter a - Implementation
Re-investing in and renovating our existing parks, completing property
assemblages for key community parks, creating a multimodal system of greenway
corridors and trails, and addressing the need for athletic fields and recreation
facilities are all important steps in building upon Kent's legacy. The goal for our
park system in the next 20 years is to take care of existing assets while at the
same time building a system that creatively meets the needs of an urbanizing city.
The following recommendations address the components needed to create the
envisioned park system in the next 20 years. Many of the recommendations are
proposed for action over the next 10 years, and are, therefore, also found in the
short-term recommendations that follow this section. All of the implementation
recommendations are shown in Figure B, Long & Short Term Implementation
Strategy.
Acquisitions
Neighborhood & Community Parks
. East Hill/Morrill Meadows Park
¡ Panther Lake Annexation Area Acquisitions
. Naden Avenue Property Assemblage
. Lake Meridian Park - Acquisition for additional parking
. Envision Midway Subarea Plan Acquisitions
N atu ra I Resou rcelOpen Space/G reenways/Tra i ls
. Clark Lake Park Property Assemblage
. Green River Corridor - Missing links
. Greenway Connections/Linear Parks
. Trail/Bike/PathwayEasements
Recreation Facilities
o Wilson Playfields Expansion
¡ Valley Floor Athletic Opportunities
Deve lo pme nt/ Redeve lo pment
Neighborhood & Community Parks
. Off-Leash Dog Park(s) on East Hill
. West Hill Neighborhood Park
. L32"d Street Neighborhood Park
. West Fenwick Park - Phase II Renovation
. Van Doren's Landing Park - Renovation
36
crry oF KENr - Park & Open Space Plan - 2010
. Lake Meridian Park - Play Area Expansion & Dock Replacement
. Springwood Park - Renovation
. Tudor Square Park - Renovation
. Eastridge Park - Neighborhood Park Renovation
. Meridian Glen Park - Neighborhood Park Renovation
¡ Pine Tree Park - Master Plan Phase I Development
. Russell Woods Park - Renovation
. Seven Oaks Park - Neighborhood Park Renovation
. Old Fishing Hole - Master Plan, Phased Renovation
o Garrison Creek Park - Renovation
. Briscoe Park - Master Plan, Phased Renovation
. Kiwanis Tot Lot #3 - Neighborhood Park Renovation
. Salt Air Vista Park - Master Plan & Phased Renovation
. Scenic Hill Park - Master Plan & Phased Renovation
. Panther Lake Annexation Area Community Park
. Downtown Parks - Renovation
. Eagle Creek Park
. Riverview Park
. Lake Meridian Park - Parking, Drainage, Master Plan
¡ East Hill/Morrill Meadows Park Redevelopment
. Commons Park - Master Plan
Natu ra I Resou rce/Open Space/G reenways/Tra i ls
. Clark Lake Park - Restoration Work, Phase I
. Mill Creek Greenway Phase I - Trail development
. Lake Fenwick Park - Restoration & Dock Replacement
. West Fenwick Park/Lake Fenwick - Greenway Trail Development
. Green Kent Partnership - Master Plan, Restoration
. Trails, Bikeways and Paths Plan
. Panther Lake Water Access Park
. Clark Lake Park - Future Phases, Retreat/Environmental Ed. Center
. Mill Creek Greenway Phase II
. Greenway Trails & Connections
o Green River Corridor - Trail Renovation & Enhancements
¡ Mountain Biking Trails
Recreation Facilities
. Community Sports Fields - Lighted Synthetic Turf Facilities partnered with
Kent School District
o Kent Memorial Park - Master Plan, Phased Renovation
. Russell Road Park - Phased Renovation for Multi Use Capacity
37
Chapter a - Implementation
. Service Club Park - Trails, Additional Phase
. Valley Floor Athletic Complex
. Aquatic Center
¡ Wilson Playfields -Play Structure, Additional Parking/Support Facilities
. Community Centers/Community Buildings - Potential East & West Hill
Facilities
Short Term Capital Recommendations (2010-2020)
The challenge over the next 10 years will be to balance the need to re-invest in
existing parks while taking advantage of unique opportunities as they arise. As
financing becomes increasingly difficult, wise choices in how we invest in our
system cannot be understated. With this in mind, the short-term recommendations
have been separated into acquisition and development/redevelopment categories.
Analysis of neighborhood and community parks shows a great need to re-invest in
our existing parks. There is an immediate need to redevelop and renovate existing
facilities where improvements are beginning to show their age or where parks are
due for master planning in order to determine how they may better serve the
changing community. Given this need, acquisition and development projects will be
secondary to the redevelopment and renovation of existing facilities in the
immediate short term (3-4 years). The recommendations listed below include
those parks with the greatest need for reinvestment. Maintaining Kent's legacy
depends on making renovation and redevelopment efforts such as these an ongoing
priority, particularly in the next 10 years.
While acquisition and development are secondary to reinvestment, a few key
development projects and acquisitions will help address specific needs. The first, a
dog park located on the East Hill, will provide a much needed amenity as expressed
in our park survey. The development of West Hill and 132nd Street Neighborhood
Parks will provide park amenities for two neighborhoods which currently lack
neighborhood park space. Completion of key property acquisitions will help to
further the development of Clark Lake Park and East Hill/Morrill Meadows Park.
Acquisition within the Panther Lake Annexation Area will provide much-needed park
space for an area that is currently underserved.
Furthering connectivity within and between parks and activity areas via a unified
greenway and trail system is another key component of the vision expressed in this
Park Plan and the short-term recommendations. Greenways provide a contrast to
urban density. They combine the natural functÍons and separations provided by a
greenbelt with the linear and connected orientation of a parkway, providing
practical connections from individual neighborhoods to various parts of the City.
3B
crry oF KENr - Park & Open Space Plan - 2010
Kent is lucky to have established north- south greenways and opportunities for
potential east-west greenways and trail connections. Making use of the
underutilized Mill Creek Greenway through trAil development and acquiring missing
connections within the Green River Greenway are two specific areas the greenway
system can be developed in the short term.
Kent's trail system enhances passive recreation opportunities and provides
connections to our downtown, employers in the valley and our neighboring cities.
There is opportunity for our existing system to be expanded to provide additional
ways for residents to connect to parks and other points of interest. A future Trails,
Bikeways and Paths Plan will examine the opportunities in greater detail. It is
recommended that the City initiate a coordinated planning effort that includes both
on and off right-of-way connectivity.
Providing multi-use athletic fields is another priority expressed within the short-
term recommendations. The expense associated with purchasing raw land and
developing new complexes underscores the need to be creative in how our existing
athletic fields are redeveloped so that they can provide maximum benefit to users.
Taking advantage of potential partnerships and available technology will also
maximize space and investment,
Development of a new aquatic facility to replace the aging Kent Meridian Pool
remains a short term goal. Given the relatively high capital cost of this project, a
partnered approach with public, private and/or non-profit agencies will likely be
required to build and operate this facility.
The following list of projects should be given priority in the short term. This list is
intended to serve as a blueprint for action and to be utilized as a tool to develop the
Parks CIP. Circumstances will influence which and how many of these
recommendations can be accomplished in the anticipated timeframe.
Acquisitions
Neiqhborhood & Community Parks
. East Hill Park Expansion
. Panther Lake Annexation Area Acquisitions
. Naden Avenue Propefty Assemblage
Natu ra I Resou rce/Open Spa celG reenway/Tra i ls
. Clark Lake Park Property Assemblage
. Green River Corridor - Missing Links
39
chapter a - Implementation
Deve I op ment/ Redevelopme nt
Neighborhood & Community Parks
. Off-Leash Dog Park(s) on East Hill
. West Hill Neighborhood Park
. 132nd Street Neighborhood Park
o West Fenwick Park - Phase II Renovation
. Van Doren's Landing Park - Renovation
. Lake Meridian Park - Play Area Expansion and Dock Replacement
. Springwood Park - Renovation
. Tudor Square - Renovation
o Eastridge Park - Neighborhood Park Renovation
. Meridian Glen Park - Neighborhood Park Renovation
r Pine Tree Park - Master Plan Phase I Development
. Russell Woods Park - Renovation
. Seven Oaks Park - Neighborhood Park Renovation
. Old Fishing Hole - Master Plan, Phased Renovation
o Garrison Creek Park - Renovation
. Briscoe Park - Master Plan, Phased Renovation
. Kiwanis Tot Lot #3 - Neighborhood Park Renovation
. Salt Air Vista Park - Master Plan & Phased Renovation
. Scenic Hill Park - Master Plan & Phased Renovation
Natu ra I Resou rce/Open Space/G reenway/Tra i ls
. Clark Lake Park - Restoration Work, Phase I
. Mill Creek Greenway Phase I - Trail development
. Lake Fenwick Park - Restoration & Dock Replacement
o West Fenwick Park/Lake Fenwick - Greenway Trail Development
. Green Kent Partnershíp - Master Plan, Restoration
. Trails, Bikeways and Paths Plan
Recreation Facilities
. Community Sports Fields - Lighted synthetic turf facilities partnered with
.Kent School District
. Kent Memorial Park - Master Plan, Phased Renovation
. Russell Road Park - Phased Renovation for Multi Use Capacity
. Aquatic Center
40
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FIGURE 8
LOI{G & SHORT TERM
IMPLEMENTATIOI{
STRATEGY
LEGEND
Long Term:
DevelopmenURedevelopment
A tr¡e¡gfrOorhood and Community Parks
A Natural Resource/Open Space/Greenways/Trails
A Recreation Facilities
Acquisitions
I ru"igtlOorhood and Community Parks
ffil Recreation Facilities
Short Term:
DevelopmenVRedevelopment
O N"igl'rUorhood and Community Parks
O' Natural Resource/Open Space/Greenways/Trails
€ Recreation Facilities
Acquisitions
I N"igf'Uorhood and Community Parks
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i"-""-"j Potential Annexation Areas
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SCALE: 1" = 4,000'â
:ITY oF KENT - Park & Open Space Plan - 2o1o
Financing
Achieving both the short- and long-term recommendations will require the
community's commitment and a willingness to explore innovative solutions.
Funding for Park capital projects has typically come from two sources; councilmanic
bonds and Real Estate Excise Tax (REET). Over the past five years, REET revenues
have decreased by 25 percent. Continued economic slowdown will limit available
funding for the next several years, so the City must look for alternative means of
financing capital projects if it wants to implement the Park and Open Space Plan. It
should be noted that the recommendations above are tentative and dependent
upon financing. The following is a summary of funding sources that may be used
in the future to fund short- and long-term capital projects.
Real Estate Excise Tax (REET)
REET consists of money derived from one-half percent of the selling price of real
property within the City of Kent. Cities planning under the State's Growth
Management Act must generally use these funds for capital projects as described by
State law. Beginning in 2002, one-quarter percent (REET2) was allocated for
capital improvements related to parks in the City's CIP. REET revenues fluctuate
with the local real estate market, which directly affects the amount of money the
Parks CIP receives from this source of revenue.
Voter-approved Bonds /Levies
General obligation bonds can be generated by either the City or the County and can
be used for acquisition or development. Voter-approved bonds are typically repaid
through an annual "excess" property tax levy authorized for this purpose by State
statute through the maturity period of the bonds, normally 15 to 20 years. Broad
consensus is needed for passage, with a 60 percent "yes" vote required. A
validation requirement also exists, where the total number of votes cast must be at
least 40 percent of the number of votes in the preceding general election.
A levy is another voter-approved funding source for financing capital
improvements. Unlike a bond issue, no validation is needed and a "yes" vote of 50
percent plus one passes a levy. The proceeds may be received on an annual, pay-
as-you-go basis, or bonds may be issued against the levy amount in order to
receive the proceeds all at once.
Non-voter-a pproved Bonds
Councilmanic bonds are general obligation bonds issued by the City or County
Council without voter approval. Under State law, repayment of these bonds must
be financed from existing City revenues, since no additional taxes can be
implemented to support related debt service payments.
4t
chapter a - Implementation
Revenue bonds are typically issued for development purposes, and often cost more
and carry higher interest rates than general oblication bonds. Revenue bond
covenants generally require that the revenues received annually would have to
equal twice the annual debt service payment. Revenue bonds are payable from
income generated by an enterprise activity.
King County Conservation Futures Tax
Conservation Futures tax levy funds are a dedicated portion of property taxes in
King County and are available, by statute, only for acquisition of open space,
agricultural and timber lands. The King County Council approves funding for
projects based on submittals from cities and the County. Kent has received
Conservation Futures funds for acquisitons around Clark Lake and Panther Lake.
Grants
The Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO), formerly known as the Interagency
Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC), administers a variety of grant programs
from several federal and state sources to eligible application sponsors for outdoor
recreation and conservation purposes. The amount of money available for grants
varies from year to year and most funding sources require that monies be used for
specific purposes. Grants are awarded to state and local agencies on a highly
competitive basis, with agencies generally required to provide matching funds for
any project proposal.
The following are state or federal programs administered by the RCO to provide
agencies funding to acquire and develop park, open space and recreational lands
and facilities:
. Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, or WWRP. Land and Water Conservation Fund. Recreation Trails Program. Youth Athletic Facilities Fundo Boating Facilities Program. Non-Highway and Off-Road Vehicle Activities Program (NOVA). Salmon Recovery Funding Board. Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account. Firearms and Archery Range Recreation Program
Donations/ Pa rtnersh i ps
As traditional funding sources begin to fund less, the City must search for creative
and dynamic methods of financing the projects identified in the Park Plan. This can
include donations, endowments, volunteer support and partnerships with
community businesses, organizations and residents.
42
crry oF KENT - Park & Open Space Plan - 2010
Volunteers stretch City dollars and empower residents to participate in the
development and maintenance of the park system. One of our longest partnerships
has been with the scouting community. Boy and girl scouts of all ages are
mainstays at our volunteer events, where they can earn badges. A number of
troops go on to formally "adopt" a park for regular clean-ups. The first young man
to do his Eagle scout advancement project with Kent Parks was in 1983. Over 160
have followed in his footsteps, including several young women earning the Girl
Scout-equivalent Gold Award. All make an effort to offset the cost of materials for
their projects, which enables the City to assist 15-25 each year.
Churches and high/middle school students earning community service credits also
provide strong volunteer support.
In recent years, corporate partnerships have included Comcast Cares Day, several
Home Depot collaborations, REI projects involving numerous work groups and park
areas, Boeing Community Service Days and Hawkeye Consultants, who have
harvested the garden at Neely-Soames Home since 2006 and, in 2008, added
Earthworks to their regular annual Adopt-a-Park efforts. Both Comcast and the
Home Depot have provided cash and inkind support as well as scores of employee
volunteers.
The Green Kent Partnership is the next step in a cohesive volunteer program. After
the 2O-year plan has been created to restore Kent's urban forests and natural
areas, volunteer stewards will be trained to help implement the plan, each
responsible for managing one acre of public land.
In 2003, the Kent Parks Foundation was established to keep park programs strong,
costs affordable and help those in need. Cash donations in any amount can
purchase trees, benches and other amenities. Donations of land through the non-
profit Foundatíon are also possible and can allow residents the opportunity to leave
a legacy for future generations.
Many options exist for potential donors to conserve their land in trust for public use
by future generations. Creative financing of property acquisition or donation can be
a benefit for both the seller/donor and the City.
Impact Fees/Developer Mitigation Fees
As determined in the Comprehensive Plan, developers are required to improve
private recreation facilities or in some cases pay a park mitigation fee as part of the
permit review process. These developer contributions cannot supplant other
revenue sources within a project. They are in addition to existing funding and must
be used for a specific purpose within a certain geographic area. The City has
43
chapter a - Implementation
received approximately 2.2 million dollars in park mitigation fees from developers
since 1998. As land available for development decreases, this source of revenue is
expected to diminish.
Real Estate Transactions
Selling or trading parcels of land that the City now owns but does not think will be
used for park purposes could be considered as a method to finance acquisition or
development of more suitable sites. Renting or leasing park-owned property can
offset the cost to acquire or manage property. Less than fee-simple property
acquisition techniques, such as life estates and conservation easements, can also
be used to help reduce the cost of property acquisition. Leasing property for non-
park purposes, e.g, wireless communication facilities, can also provide a source of
revenue to offset capital costs.
44
cITy oF KENT - Park & Open Space Plan - 2010
7. Appendices
A. Public Involvement
The public outreach effort is a critical component of every land use planning
process. Involving Kent residents and park users in the process of identifying park
needs ensures a successful planning process, provides for a mutual exchange of
ideas, and helps meet the community's needs. As stakeholders in the planning
process, residents and park users can work with the City to ensure park and open
space needs are accurately identified, planned for, and funded.
The Park Plan update process has benefited from public involvement, which has
been utilized in determining needs and priorities and in determining long- and
short-term recommendations. This section outlines the public involvement that has
helped shape the recommendations contained in the 2010 Park and Open Space
Plan.
Park PIan Survey
A survey was taken during the spring of 2009 in order to obtain the community's
ideas and opinions about the existing park system, deficiencies, and priorities for
the future. The survey was made available online at the City's website, and written
surveys were distributed to all of our facilities and neighborhood councils. The
survey was advertised on the City's phone system and website, in the Kent
Reporter, utility mailings, and through various postings at park facilities.
A total of 631 responses were received, 45 percent of which noted that they were
residents of Kent. Due to the nature of the distribution of the survey, it is not a
statistically valid survey. However, it does provide a sense of the community's
desires and needs. Respondents rated trails, open space and natural areas as
extremely important followed by major parks and small neighborhood parks. The
top three needs expressed in the survey were a swimming facility, an off-leash dog
park and park security and maintenance.
Detailed results for each question are below. Due to the length of responses to
open ended questions, they are not included in the Plan, but are available for
review on the City's website and in the Park Planning & Development Office.
2OO9 Park PIan Uodate Survev Results
Total Responses - 631
1. Do you live within the City of Kent?
a. Yes -45olo
b. No - 54o/o
c. I don't know - lo/o
45
chapter 7 - Appendices
2. How many years have you lived in the City of Kent?
a. 1-10 - 2oo/o
b. tL-2O - L3olo
c, 2L-30 - 9o/o
d. 3L-40 -4o/o
e. 4L or more -3o/o
3. Do you consider yourself a resident of East Hill, Valley or West Hill?
a. East Hill -34o/o
b. Valley - 8o/o
c. West Hill - LLo/o
d. Don't know - 2o/o
4. How many children under the age of 18 live in your household?
a. 0 - 6oolo
b, t-2 - 35o/o
c. 3 or more - 5o/o
5. What is your age?
a. 17 or under - Lolo
b. 18-29 - 7.5o/o
c. 30-39 - 3Lolo
d. 40-49 - 27o/o
e. 50-59 - tíolo
f. 60-69 -7o/o
9. Over 70 - 4o/o
6. What is your gender?
a, Male - 59o/o
b. Female - 4Lolo
7. Which parks and recreation facilities do you oryour household currently use?
See spreadsheet
8. What improvements, if any, would you like to see at these parks?
See spreadsheet
9. For this City as a whole, what do you feel are the biggest needs in terms of
Park and Recreation?
46
1. Swimming Facility
uw oF KENr - Park & Open Space Plan - 2010
Off-leash dog park
Security & Maintenance
Biking & Walkíng Trails
Connections/non-motorized access to Parks
Mountain Biking Trails
Frisbee Golf
Athletic Fields
10.Within our parks, what three activities do you and your family members
participate in the most?
a. Walking - 34o/o
b. Biking - 33o/o
c. Swimming - 7o/o
d. Fishing - 4o/o
e. Organized recreation i.e.: baseball, soccer - tLo/o
f. Use of play equipment - L2olo
g. Other, please specify:see sDreadsheet
11.What recreation opportunities would you like to see in Kent that you can't
find here now?
See spreadsheet
l2.Using a 0 to 10 scale with 10 meaning "extremely high importance" and 0
meaning "extremely low importance" please rate the importance of the
following park amenities: MOST IMPORTANT NUMBERED IN ORDER -
HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF #10 RATING. * EACH CHOICE WAS SCALED
SEPERATELY.
a. Small neighborhood parks that serve families and individuals (5 - 19olo)
b. Major parks that serve all areas of the city (4 - 22o/o)
c. Outdoor athletic fields for youth (6 - 18o/o)
d. Outdoor athletic fields for adults (11 - LLo/o)
e. Expanded recreational trails in and out of parks (2 - 4Lo/o)
f. Parks with fishing, boating and swimming (12 - 9o/o)
g. Indoor recreation facilities for social programs, events and athletics (1O -
t2o/o)
h. Natural areas and open space (3 - 37o/o)
i. An accessible playground large enough to serve the entire community (13
_ golo)
j. Off leash dog park (7 - L8o/o)
k. Spray park/water park (A4 - 7o/o)
l. Off Road Biking Trails (L - 45o/o)
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
47
Chapter z - Appendices
m. BMX park (9 - 160/o)
n. Swimming pool (8 - L6o/o)
13.Have you or anyone in your household participated in a City of Kent
recreation program, activity or cultural event in the last 12 months?
a. Yes - 44o/o
b. No - 51olo
c. Don't know - 5o/o
l4.What types of recreation programs, activities or cultural events have you
and/or your household participated in the last 12 months?
Youth/Teen athletics - L7olo
Adult athletics - L7olo
Youth enrichment, such as ballet or piano lessons - 5o/o
Adult enrichment, such as cooking or aerobics - 9olo
Concerts - 2Lolo
Festivals - 24o/o
Senior Center activities - 4o/o
Adaptive Recreation (Special Needs) - Lolo
Youth/teen activities - 7o/o
Other - Please specify
15.What could the City change about its programs that would make them more
attractive for you and your household?
See spreadsheet
16.Are you aware that the City offers scholarships so that all children can
pafticipate in programs regardless of ability to pay?
a. Yes - 24o/o
b. No - 760lo
17.Would you like to be notífied of future public meetings and opportunities to
participate in the update of the Comprehensive Plans?
a. Yes - add contact info
b. No thank you
Public Workshop
Once the survey results were tabulated and the Park Plan update was well
underway, a public workshop was held in the fall of 2009 to further refine the areas
of focus in the Park Plan and supplement the comments received through the
survey. Participants were given a comment sheet with specific questions about the
4B
a
b
c
d
e
f.
I
h
i.
j.
clry oF KENT - Park & Open Space Plan - 2010
different elements of the plan that were presented at the meeting. Participants
commented on the need to maintain our existing facilities and to make use of
underutilized areas. They also expressed a desire for better connectivity between
parks and throughout the City.
Public Process
In preparing the Park Plan, several public meetings occurred in order to provide the
public, the Land Use and Planning Board, and the Parks Committee an opportunity
to review and comment on the proposed Park Plan update.
The City's website was utilized as a tool for ongoing communication regarding the
status of the update process. Survey results were posted as was the draft plan. E-
mail notices were sent to interested survey participants at each milestone in the
update process, inviting the public to review the draft plan, participate in public
hearings and provide additional comment.
In addition, the Park Plan complied with State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)
requirements. An Environmental Checklist was completed and a Determination of
Non-Significance was issued on February L3, 2010. Public comment periods
associated with the environmental review process were provided.
Public Meetings & Hearings
The Draft Park Plan was presented and discussed at a series of public meetings and
hearings held before the Land Use and Planning Board, Parks Committee and the
City Council.
B. Relevant Regulations
Critical Area Regulations
Since the adoption of the 2000 Plan, new environmental regulations were passed
and implemented at the state and local level. These new regulations resulted in
changes to the City's Land Use Code, Critical Areas Ordinance and Shoreline Master
Program and may impact how the park system develops. Critical areas such as
wetlands, streams, lakes, and wildlife habitat areas occur throughout Kent Parks.
Therefore, these regulations have implications on the development and
management of the park and open space system. Development and maintenance
practices will likely change to better protect critical areas and their resources.
Growth Management Act (GMA)
The Growth Management Act (GMA) establishes 13 statewide planning goals that
must be considered locally within the City's Comprehensive Plan and development
regulations. Several of these planning goals apply to parks, including open space
retention, development of recreational opportunities, conservation of wildlife
49
7-dices
habitat, public facilities sufficient to support growth, and attention to historic
resources. The Park Plan and Park and Open Space Element of the Comprehensive
Plan evaluate our system relative to relevant GMA goals.
Stafe Shoreline Management Act Guidelines
The State Shoreline Management Act requires local governments to regulate their
shorelines through adoption of a local Shoreline Master Program. The City
completed an update to the Shoreline Master Program in 2009 in order to conform
to the state's update of master program guidelines. The updated Master Program
will impact park operations and development in the following areas: Green River,
Lake Meridian, Lake Fenwick, Panther Lake, Soos Creek, the Green River Natural
Resource Area pond, Springbrook Creek and Jenkins Creek.
50
clry oF KENT - Park & Open Space Plan - 2010
C. Capital Facilities PIan
Parks - Plann¡ng & Development
2010 . 2015 Þivision Rèquests
Amounts in Thousands
Totål
tD#Pr¡orityRêquest2010 2011 2912 2013 2814 2015
Proposed Revenue
WA Stûte Grant
King County Grant
Olher Grant
Donations / Coniributions
CIP Revenues
CIP REET2 Revenues
Source To Be Determined
Totál Proposed Revenue
Expenditures Requested
Lilë Cycls Pårk System
Grant Matching Fund#Land Acq.
Life Cycle - Play Eguipment
Life Cycle - Ballfields
L¡fe Cycle - lrigat¡on
Life Cycle - lnfield Soil
L¡fe Cycle - Trs¡ls
Event Cenler Lifecycle
Wilson Playfields (Debt Serv¡ce)
Service Club Ballf¡elds {Debt Servicei
Town Sguare Plaza {Debt Service}
East Hill Skate Park (Debt Sefvice)
Urbân Forestry Program
Master Plans
Comprehensive Park & Recreation Plan
Adopt-A-Park Volunteer Program
Ëagle Scoul Volunteer Program
ArchiiecUEngineering
Kent Pårks Foundation
Regional Trails - Levy Progrsm
Regional/Local Dog Off Leash Park
Mill Creek/Greenway Plan & Renovation
Lake Fenwick Park ¡mpÍovements
CommunÍty Sports Fields
West Hill Par* ûevelopment
Clark Lake Land Acquisition
Easi Hill Park Lãnd Acquisition
Bolan¡cal Garden Lake Acqu¡s¡t¡on
Panther Lake PAA PaIk Acquisiuon
Major Entries into Kent
Downlown Gateways, Phâse 2
West Fenwick Park Renovation
25.0
168 0
100.0
40.0
35.0
10,0
25.t
175.O
48.0
35.0
't 0.0
25.0
180.t
êlle-q l.0gg-0- --ljgo.0 --ji0l! --lJ¡=q ---02g€! --l-9t5-q
7,625.0
2.618.0
1,190.0
90.0
1,850.0
16,039"0
3,S66.0
2,076.0
450.0
275.0
175.0
150.t
175.0
45-0
't,800.0
846"0
1,680.0
1,'t 52,0
46.0
75.0
150"0
30.0
230.0
1S5.0
40.0
150.0
't,068.0
450.0
850.0
350.0
4,500.0
1,920.0
2,000.0
500.0
1,000.0
1,000.0
300"0
750.0
1,585.0
1,525.0
1,1ô8.0
550.0
15.0
150.0
1,586.0
105.0
{,û00.0
500.û
500.0
't,000.0
50.û
1,400.0
175.0
505.0
150
300.0
2,381.0
125.0
1,250.0
230.0
5.0
15.0
300"0
2,496.0
3,155.0
340.0
75.0
50.0
25.0
25.0
250
9_0
300.0
141.0
280.0
192.0
8.0
10.0
r3u
1,950.0
t85.0
5.0
15.0
300 û
3,546.0
255.0
346.0
75.0
50.0
250
25.0
250
9.0
300.0
141.0
280.0
192.0
B0
10.0
25.0
40.0
35.0
10.0
25.0
185.0
1,300.0
1S0.0
5.0
15.0
300.0
4,Ð44.t
121.O
200.0
670.0
124.t
150
300.0
1,986.0
205.0
346.0
15-t
25.0
50.0
250
50.0
s.0
300.0
141.0
280.0
1S2.0
8.0
2-rr-0
25.0
5.0
30.0
20.0
346.0
75.0
50.0
16n
25.t
25.0
s.0
300.0
141 0
28û.0
192.0
8.0
10.0
25.Ð
40,0
35.0
25.4
170 4
350.0
't50.0 200.0
100 0
50.0 250.0 350.0
3,800.0 200 0 500.0
500.0
50.0
150 0
346.0
75.0
50.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
9.0
3û0.0
'141.t
280.0
1S2.0
8.0
10.0
25.0
I,S20.0
1,000.0
346_0
75.0
50-0
25.0
25.0
250
7'l
72
151
157
173
266
7S
2Sû
156
155
BO
207
158
74
330
306
75
7û
304
331
352
101
333
ss
82
307
315
36û
'l02
316
267
89
50.0
300.0
M1.A
280.0
1S2.0
8.0
100
25.0
25.0
40.0
35.0
't0.0
25.0
1S0.û
50,0
150.0
1
2
5
4
6
7
B
s
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
24
25
26
27
28
2S
30
31
32
R558O032 1t2U2014
50.û
150 0
85.0
50.0
150 0
1,500.0
'150.0
51
chapter 7 - Azpendices
Parks . Planning & Development
2010 - 20{5 Divislon Requests
Amounts ¡n Thousands
Van Doren's Park lmprovements
Lake Meridian Park Rën. & Master Plan
l32nd SÍeet Pafk Development
Eagle Creek Park Ðevelopment
Service Club Community Pårk
Springlood Park lmprovemenls
ïudor Square Renovalions
Clark Laka Development
S. 272nd St. Ne¡ghborhood Park Ðevelop.
Wilson PlByf ields AcquisitionlRenovation
R¡verwalk/R¡verview Park Development
lnternational Parks Acq.iDevelopmenl
Vallsy Floor Athlelic Complex Acq.& Dev.
Total Expel,lditures Requested __33J1€-A __5-Agg-A __ J-490.0 ___4-901-g ___Z.3gLg ___0:50-q __å925-q
Total
Request
300.0
1,300.0
2,100-0
1,000.0
200.0
65.0
68.û
1,050.0
100.0
500.0
13û.0
50.0
500.0
201 0 2011
150.0
100.0
65.0
50.0
2412 2013
100_0
28t4
150.0
1,200.0
1,700.0
200.0
50.0
50{1 0
201 5
300.0
1,000.0
68.0
1,000 0
100.0
500.0
130.0
Pr¡o¡ily
.¡1
u
36
a7
aq
3S
4A
41
42
43
44
45
tD#
310
337
311
78
312
85
163
313
3't4
113
96
104
52
crw oF KENr - Park &en Plan - 20to
D. Ordinance Adopting Plan
53
STATE OF WASHINGTON, COUNTY OF KING }AFFIDAVIT OF PT]BLICATIONPUBLIC NOTICELinda M Mills, being first duly sworn on oath that she is the LegalAdvertising Representative of theI(ent Reportera weekly newspaper, which newspaper is a legal newspaper ofgeneral circulation and is now and has been for more than six monthsprior to the date of publication hereinafter referred to, published inthe English language continuously as a weekly newspaper in KingCounty, Washington. The Kent Reporter has been approved asa Legal Newspaper by order of the Superior Court of the State ofWashington for King County.The notice in the exact fonn annexed was published in regularissues of the Kent Reporter (and not in supplement form) which wasregularly distributed to its subscribers during the below stated period.The annexed notice, a:Public Noticewas published on IN'f.ay 7,2010.The full amount ofthe fee charged for said foregoing publication isthe sum of $23.13CITY OF KENTNOTICE OF ORDINANCESPASSED BY TIIECITY COUNCILThe following is a summary ofordinances passed by the KentCity Council on May 4, 2010:ORDINANCE NO. 3950AN ORDINANCE of the CityCouncil of the City of Kent,Washington, adopting the Parkand Open Space Plan.Effective Date: June 3,2010ORDINANCE NO. 395IAN ORDINANCE of the CityCouncil of the City of Kent,Washington, amending the Parkand Open Space Element andthe Capiøl Facilities Element ofthe City's Comprehensive Planrelated to the adoption of a Parkand Open Space PIan.Effective Date: June 3,2010ORDINANCE NO. 3952AN ORDINANCE of the CityCouncil of the City of Kent,Washington, amending ihe CapialFacilities Element of the City'sComprehensive Plan (CPA-2009-l(A)), relating to inventories ofstreets and bridges and the 2008Transportaúon Master Plan.Effective Date: June 3,2010ORDINANCE NO. 3953AN ORDINANCE of the CityCouncil of the Ciry of Kent,Washington, granting a revisedmajor modifi cation of the VerdanaPlanned Unit Developmentlocated at 12200 SE 304th Street,-r11\\\\\ì11tr¡,. Kgnt, Washington (PUD-2004---ìòp*p.,sç'ut+r, Ê!P];""Date: Maye, 2010S-.*.,.1¡ ; ,;"t,'-, '//, Each ordinance will take effect: ,r-'.'.' .r' ^ - ' ', t',, rt, 30 days from the date ofpassage,:.*:: -:r:-r "1F'" -'J' t:, + 'l unlesssubjectedtoreferendumor":: ':' '. .: i.' - a: Á i vetoed by the Mayor, or unless'-) 1''' '-: - Z 1 f otherwisé noted. A copy of theZ i : _'- ,.--' '-J í complete text of any ordinancet; ¿: L.. '* : will be mailed upon request to ther',', *:..' ' ..... ^".' : CiryClerk.'t/!, 'r, ¡- ^ _ ,.., ,.:t .:- ' BrendaJacober,CMC,'lit,. ç Ul- " .--' CityClerk'rlìl\\\,.i.,,'.lt"- Publisheã in the Kent Reporreron May7,2010.#360803.M. MillsLegal Advertisin g Representative, Kent ReporterSubscribed and sworn to me this 7th day of May, 2010.PublicmP. O. Number:'Washingtonof Washington, Residing