Public Comments and Proposed Changes To Draft 2016 Parks, Arts and Recreation Plan

*Updated 01/06/16
PublicCommentandProposedChangesto
Draft2016Parks,ArtsandRecreationPlan
December22,2015
ThepubliccommentperiodfortheDraft2016OlympiaParks,ArtsandRecreationPlanranfrom
November17,2015toDecember11,2015.Duringthepubliccommentperiod,thefollowinginputwas
received:
Email121emailcommentsreceived.
OlySpeaksOnLineForum
o 228totalparticipants
o 55ideassubmitted
o 43commentsonideas
o 924votes
PublicOpenHouse24peopleattendedaDecember2,2015openhouse
AdvisoryCommittees/Commissions
o OlympiaPlanningCommissionDecember7,2015
o OlympiaArtsCommissionDecember10,2015
o OlympiaParksandRecreationAdvisoryCommitteeDecember17,2015
Thefollowingpagescontainallofthefeedbackreceivedandstaffresponsestoallofthemajorthemes.
Multiplecommentsonasingletopicaregroupedtogether.Thetopicthatreceivedthemostcomments
andOlySpeaksvotesappearsfirstfollowedbytheothertopicsindescendingorder.Emailsand
OlySpeakscommentsonmultipletopicsbeginonp.70.
WhilestafftimedidnotallowforanindividualresponsetoeveryemailorOlySpeakscomment,all
majorthemeswereaddressed.
PublicCommentsReceivedViaEmailandOlySpeaks
November17,2015December11,2015
1.LBAWOODS27Comments+307OlySpeaksVotes
ColleneHawes
email
11/20/15
AndrewDiaze
mail11/28/15
BobZeigler
OlySpeaks
12/6/15
24votes
Thankssomuch.Theleadership,opportunityforcommunityinput
andproposedlandacquisitionaregreatbeginnings!The169acreland
acquisitionfundhopefullyincludestheLBABentridgeparcel,asmuchof
theinputIheardduringthecommunityforumsspoketothe150acre
forestthatincludesboth70+parcelsandwouldprovidemorespacefor
soccerfields,trailsANDthewildlife(mostlyintheBentridge
parcel)availablecurrently.
IthinkthemostimportantpointisthepurchaseofBOTHoftheLBAwoods
properties.IseeintheplanthattheTrilliumpropertyismentionedbutnot
theBentridgeportion.Itiscriticalthatbothlotsbepreservedandbecome
apartoftheLBApark.Thanks
ItisimportantthattheCitylookatacquisitionofWestBayWoodsand
KaiserWoodsbutalsoofcriticalimportanceistheacquisitionofthe72
acresoftheLBAWoodsparcelthatisnotproposed.BothLBAWoods
piecesareneededbecauseofsizeandconnectivity.
TheplanisanimportantguidetoOlympia'sFuture.Facingclimatechange
andgrowth,ourCityneedsprotectionofurbanwilds.GreenSpacescan
minimizethedamageofurbanlivinginmanywaysbysequestering
carbon,purifyingwater,minimizingrunoffandpassiverecreation.
Sustainableurbandesignincludesurbanwilds.ItisimportantthattheCity
lookatacquisitionofWestBayWoodsandKaiserWoodsbutalsoofcritical
importanceistheacquisitionofthe72acresoftheLBAWoodsparcelthat
isnotproposed.BothLBAWoodspiecesareneededbecauseofsizeand
connectivity.ACityofBellevuePlanningdocumentdiscussestheimportof
urbanwildsespeciallyonlargertractsoflands:BellevueUrbanWildlife
HabitatLiteratureReviewCityofBellevuePreparedfor:CityofBellevue
DevelopmentServicesDepartmentbyWatershedCompany(May2009)
http://www.ci.bellevue.wa.us/pdf/Land%20Use/COB_Habitat_Literature_R
eview_2010.pdf.Itstatesinpart:"AstheUnitedStatesgrowsin
populationandcities,suburbs,andruralareassupportgreaterdensities,
naturalwildareasbecomefewerandurbannaturalareasbecome
increasinglyvaluabletobothwildlifeandhumans.Recentscientific
researchhasrespondedinkind,andagrowingknowledgebaseconfirms
whatisbestcapturedinthesummary:"Allurbanareashavethepotential
tocontributetoconservationofwildlifediversity"(MarzluffandRodewald
2008).InthePacificNorthwest,nativehabitatexiststovaryingextents
withineventhemostdenselydevelopedareas...."7.1Habitat
3
MikeRuth
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
MariaRuth
OlySpeaks
12/6/15
25votes
ManagementRecommendations:Preservelargepatchesofnative
vegetationwhenpossible.Ithasbeenproposedthatthemosteffective
andcheapestwaytoprotectspeciesdiversityinthelongrunistopreserve
asmuchnaturalhabitataspossible(McKinney2002).Habitatpatchsizeis
importanttoavianspeciesrichnessinalllandscapesandtobreedingbirds
insome.Therefore,smallandmediumsizedhabitatpatchesalonewillnot
preserveallnativespecies.EvidenceTheWatershedCompanyMay2009
27suggestedthatvegetativecomplexity,andnativeshrubdiversityin
particular,contributedtohigherrichnessandlessevennessinbird
communitiesinlargerhabitatpatches(DonnellyandMarzluff2004)..."I
hopetheCitywillnotpassontheopportunitytoacquirebothportionsof
theLBAWoodsbecauseofthepublicbenefitsthatwouldprovide.Bob
Zeigler
Anotherhealthreferencepurportstoclaimthatjustafewminutesof
runningaweekcanimprovehealth(http://mic.com/articles/95468/there
sanamazingbenefittorunningjust5minutesaday#.JZ2sNBewB)
Minimizingthedamageofurbanlivingalsohasahumanface.Ilove
walkinginLBAwoodsandmightevenstartrunningtheresoon.Reducing
diabetes,hearthdisease,obesityandimprovingmentalhealth.Whyare
thesenotpartofthecalculusofurbanplanning?Wouldn'thavingnice
wildlandsforpeopletoexerciseinabeautifulwoodseventuallypayfor
itselfthroughimprovedhealthoutcomes?
AddsecondLBAParksparceltohelpmeetSustainableThurstongoals,
too.
ThanksandcongratulationstoallOlympiaParksstaffforastrong,detailed,
wellorganizedParksPlan.Yourhardworkoverthepastyearreallyshows.
HowluckywearetoliveinaparkshungrycommunitywithaParks
Department,CityCouncil,andCitystaffnewlycommittedtofocusingon
improvingandexpandingourparksinthewakeoftherecenteconomic
recession.TheParksPlandraftclearlyreflectsthepublicallystatedneed
formoretrails,naturalopenspace,andhabitat.Greattoseeinthe
BusinessPlantheacquisitionplans(alreadyunderway)ofbothKaiser
HeightsandoneofthetwoLBAWoodsparcelsaswellasanadditional
unspecified194acresforbothopenspaceandneighborhoodparks.
HoweverthefinalParksPlanshouldincludementionofthesecondparcel
oftheLBAWoods(thesocalledBentridgeparcel)adjacenttothe
Trilliumparcel.Giventhatthisparcelcouldbeutilizedforsportsfields.
TheplacementofsuchfieldsinadditiontotheCityownedwatertower
andaccessroadandplannedLogCabinextensionroaddoesnotleavethe
quantityorqualityofopenspaceorwildlifehabitatenvisionedbytheLBA
WoodsParkCoalitionanditsmanysupportersacrossthecity.TheParks
4
LynnByrnes
OlySpeaks
12/6/15
24votes
JeffMarti
OlySpeaks
12/6/15
21votes
Planrightfullyacknowledges(pages2425)thattheprojectedpopulation
growthinOlympiaanditsUrbanGrowthArea(anestimated21,000people
inthenext20years)willdrivedemandformoreandbetterparks.The
futureofOlympiasparksystemmustalsobeconsideredinlightofthe
regionalgrowthoutsidetheCity/UGA,especiallyinThurstonCounty.
Luckily,theParksPlansacquisitiongoalsforopenspaceandhabitatalso
meetenvironmentalgoalsofThurstonRegionalPlanningCouncilas
reflectedintheworkofSustainableThurston,namelytoprotectour
naturalresourcesandhabitatwhileprovidingforpublicaccessand
sustainableuses,andeconomicactivity.Acquiringopenspaceparkland
andhabitatnowwillhelpOlympiaprepareforandmitigateclimatechange
relatedimpactstoourenvironment(suchasincreasedflooding,sealevel
rise,anddangerouslyhighlevelsofgreenhousegasses).Withoutthe
adjacentparcel(stillslatedforseveralhundredhomes),therewillnotbe
muchwoodsleftinthismagnificent150acreparcel.Fortunately,the
adjacentparcelmeetsallofthecriteriathedraftParksPlanlistsforFuture
LandAcquisition(page89).Ifthereisawaytoincludetheadjacentparcel
intheplanwithoutcompromisingtheCitysnegotiatingpositionthat
wouldbeexcellent.
PleasebuyBentridgetocompleteLBAwoods!
IwouldreallyliketoseethecitybuyBentridgetocompletetheLBA
Woods.WithjustTrillium(orAshtonWoods)itistoosmalltohavealong
walkandreallyunwind,tofeellikeyouare"away"fromitall.Especially
withawatertowerinthemiddleofit.Withboth,youcanalmostfeellost
sometimes,it'sarealsubmersionintonatureandatrueescapefromthe
businessoftherestofthecity.Plus,BentridgehasaflatpartbyBoulevard
tomakeintoacommunitygarden,dogparkorsoccerfield.AndBentridge
isreally,reallybeautiful.Itwouldbeashameandalostopportunitytonot
buyit.IvoteinfavorofbuyingbothBentridgeandAshtonWoodsallof
LBA!
MoreexplanationofacquisitiontriggersandgogetBentridge,too.
ThankyouCityofOlympiafortheopportunitytocommentonthedraft
parksplan.Andthankyouespeciallyforcommittingtothepurchaseofthe
TrilliumparceloftheLBAWoods.
Onelessonlearnedfromtheimplementationofthe2004Parksand
Pathwaysballotmeasureisthatanumberofpropertiesandcorridors
identifiedforacquisitionlaterbecameunavailableforacquisitionfor
variousreasons(e.g.,cost,development,jurisdictionallimitations,etc.).
Tominimizetheriskofthesekindsoflostopportunities,Iwouldliketosee
intheplanamorecompleteexplanationofhowthecitywillensurethat
opportunitiestoacquiresignificantparcelsareactedoninatimely
manner.
Atpage89ofthedraftplan,theplanreferencesaLandAcquisitionFund,
alongwithcriteriawhichwouldbeusedtoevaluatepotentialacquisitions.
However,theplandoesnotspecifywhatcircumstanceswouldactually
triggerarequirementfortheCitytoevaluateapropertyinthecontextof
thosecriteria.
Presumably,thenewMetropolitanParksDistrict(MPD)willberesponsible
formakingfinalacquisitiondecisions.Atthistime,however,theparks
departmentcanplayanimportantrolebydescribinghowparksstaffwill
keepawatchlistofpropertiesthatwouldrankhighontheacquisition
criteria,andwhichareatahighriskofbeinglosttodevelopment.The
publicshouldbeassuredthattheCityispayingattentiontothestatusof
highvalueparcelswhentheyareonthemarket.Itshouldbepossibleto
maintainsuchaninventorywithoutjeopardizingtheCitysneedfor
discretioninrealestatenegotiations.
Theparksplanshouldalsoevinceacommitmenttosecuresuchproperties
viatheuseofpurchaseoptions,pendinganultimatedeterminationbythe
MPD.
ThisispreciselytheapproachusedtheCitytosecurethepurchaseof
TrilliumandtheKaiserWoods.Ipersonallybelievethathavingthose
propertiesascarrotsprovidedtremendoussupportforthepassageof
Proposition1.
TheotherhalftheLBAWoodsmatchesupextremelywellwiththe
proposedacquisitioncriteria.Ithasamagnificent,matureforest,existing
walkingtrails,andabout8or9acresofScotchBroomwhicharewellsuited
forotherparkneeds(dogpark,athleticfields,etc.).Ithasawillingseller,
butbecauseithasbeenpermittedandplattedfordevelopment,italsois
athighriskofbeinglosttodevelopment.
KaraKlotz
OlySpeaks
12/6/15
IstronglyurgetheCitytomoveforwardwithanoptiontopurchase
BentridgeandcreateOlympiasnextgreatlegacypark.Thankyou!
LBAWoodsneedsBentridgeandTrillium
ItisvitallyimportanttopurchasebothparcelsofLBAWoodsTrilliumand
Bentridge.TheyfunctionbesttogetherandthecitizensofOlympiahave
6
13votes
spokenloudandcleartheirdesiretopreservetheWoodsintheirentirety.
I'mseeingcommentshereexpressingadesireformoresportsfieldsanda
dogpark,andwecanhaveallofthatplusopenspace,trailsandhabitatif
wepurchaseBentridgealongwithTrillium.Bentridgescoredwellonthe
assessmentofvariousparcelsandit'sgotsomanygreatfeaturesthat
complementTrillium.Pleaseincludereferenceintheplantopurchasing
BentridgethatparcelmeetsallofthecriteriaforFutureLandAcquisition
listedonpage89.We'vecometoofarandworkedtoohardtolet
Bentridgebecomehighdensityhousing.PleasepurchaseBentridgeAND
TrilliumsoOlympiansnowandinthefuturecanexperiencethebeautyand
habitatoftheLBAWoods.
PatrickBabineau
OlySpeaks
12/5/15
26votes
MakeLBAWoodsaregionalparkthatislocatedinthecenterofgreater
Olympia.
GlenAnderson
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
Ididnotknowmuchaboutthisuntilsomefriendshelpedmeunderstand.
ThenweproducedaTCTVprogramaboutthistoinformtherestofour
communityaboutthisexcitingopportunity.Watchthisinformative
programinthe"TVPROGRAMS"partofwww.olympiafor.org.Itisthe
APRIL2015episodeofthisseries.Also,totherightofthelinkforwatching
theprogramyoucanreadaninformativesummaryineither.pdforWord
format.Myfriendseducatedme,sonowIamanenthusiasticsupporter.
OURCOMMUNITYREALLYNEEDSTHISPARK
BobZeigler
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
TheplanisanimportantguidetoOlympia'sFuture.Facingclimatechange
andgrowth,ourCityneedsprotectionofurbanwilds.GreenSpacescan
minimizethedamageofurbanlivinginmanywaysbysequestering
carbon,purifyingwater,minimizingrunoffandpassiverecreation.
Sustainableurbandesignincludesurbanwilds.ItisimportantthattheCity
lookatacquisitionofWestBayWoodsandKaiserWoodsbutalsoofcritical
importanceistheacquisitionofthe72acresoftheLBAWoodsparcelthat
isnotproposed.BothLBAWoodspiecesareneededbecauseofsizeand
connectivity.ACityofBellevuePlanningdocumentdiscussestheimportof
urbanwildsespeciallyonlargertractsoflands:BellevueUrbanWildlife
HabitatLiteratureReviewCityofBellevuePreparedfor:CityofBellevue
Pleaseincludethewhole150acresintheLBAWoodsplan.Weneeda
regionalparkintheverycenterofGreaterOlympia.Theareathathasvery
littleparklandnowandwillhavelessinthefuture.TheGrowth
ManagementActcallsforopenspacecorridorsandwildlifehabitatareas
andparklandinandaroundincorporatedcitiestoprotectthequalityoflife
foritsresidents,protectwildlife,openspaces,waterqualityand
recreationalactivities.
eview_2010.pdf.Itstatesinpart:"AstheUnitedStatesgrowsin
populationandcities,suburbs,andruralareassupportgreaterdensities,
naturalwildareasbecomefewerandurbannaturalareasbecome
increasinglyvaluabletobothwildlifeandhumans.Recentscientific
researchhasrespondedinkind,andagrowingknowledgebaseconfirms
whatisbestcapturedinthesummary:"Allurbanareashavethepotential
tocontributetoconservationofwildlifediversity"(MarzluffandRodewald
2008).InthePacificNorthwest,nativehabitatexiststovaryingextents
withineventhemostdenselydevelopedareas...."7.1Habitat
ManagementRecommendations:Preservelargepatchesofnative
vegetationwhenpossible.Ithasbeenproposedthatthemosteffective
andcheapestwaytoprotectspeciesdiversityinthelongrunistopreserve
asmuchnaturalhabitataspossible(McKinney2002).Habitatpatchsizeis
importanttoavianspeciesrichnessinalllandscapesandtobreedingbirds
insome.Therefore,smallandmediumsizedhabitatpatchesalonewillnot
preserveallnativespecies.EvidenceTheWatershedCompanyMay2009
27suggestedthatvegetativecomplexity,andnativeshrubdiversityin
particular,contributedtohigherrichnessandlessevennessinbird
communitiesinlargerhabitatpatches(DonnellyandMarzluff2004)..."I
hopetheCitywillnotpassonthetheopportunitytoacquirebothportions
oftheLBAWoodsbecauseofthepubicbenefitsthatwouldprovide.Bob
Zeigler
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
LBAWoodsBentridge
ThankyoutotheCityfordoingagreatjobonthedraft2016Plan.With
respecttoLBAWoods,ItooencouragetheCitytospecificallydiscussand
planforacquisitionoftheBentridgeparcel,sotheentireLBAWoodsmay
beincludedinourlegacytoourchildrenandtheirchildren.Whileeachof
theparcelsthatcomprisetheLBAWoodsareimportant,together,they
wouldcreateatrulyuniquerecreationalopportunityforgenerationsto
come.
CristianaFigueroa Excellentplan!Pleasecreatea150acreLBAWoodslegacypark
OlySpeaks
Thankyouforacomprehensive,wellthoughtoutplanthataddressesthe
12/5/15
multiplecommunityparkandrecreationneeds,mostofwhichrequireland
acquisitiontobecomeareality:
53votes
NaturalopenspacesWildlifehabitatAthleticfields(theplan
recognizestherearecurrentlynodedicatedCitysoccerfields)Artcenter
InterconnectedtrailsystemWaterfrontparksNeighborhoodand
communityparks
8
Thus,theplanhitsthemarkinprioritizinglandacquisitioninthefirst
years343acresby2020.Inaddition,itaddressesthebacklogofrepairs
(includingPercivalLanding),restorescustodialandlandscapecrews,
upgradesexistingathleticfields,andpromotesartmaintenance.The
investmentstrategymapsouthowallofthis(andmore)canbe
accomplishedovera20yeartimeperiod.Thisistrulyoutstanding!
WithregardstoLBAWoods,wehavearareopportunitytocreatea150
acrelegacyparkthatcanfulfillmultipleneedsnaturalopenspacefor
habitatandrecreation,andintheperiphery,outsidetheforestcore,a
potentialforamenitieslikecommunitygardensandathleticfields.Itisa
perfectcandidateforthelistoflandacquisitions.
Currentlytheplanincludesthepurchaseofroughlyonehalfofthe
beautifulwoodsanditsmeanderingtrailsincludingmaturetallfirs,
cedarsandmaples,diversegroundcover,aswellasyoungertrees.Yet,
bothhalvesareneededtocreatethisuniquelegacypark.Volunteersare
readytohelpwithtrailmaintenanceandgrantapplicationstoleveragethe
Citysavailablefunding.Pleaseseizethemomentandnegotiatethe
purchaseofbothLBAWoodsparcels.
PatRasmussen
OlySpeaks
12/2/15
28votes
JJL
OlySpeaks
11/24/15
35votes
IncludePurchaseofBentridgehalfofLBAWoodsintheplanPeople
askedforthewholeLBAWoodsinneighborhoodmeetings
IncludePurchaseofBentridgehalfofLBAWoodsintheplanPeopleasked
forthewholeLBAWoodsinneighborhoodmeetings.Atall8neighborhood
meetingsthatIattended,peoplespokeupforthepurchaseofLBAWoods
asapark.Theydidn'tsayhalfofit,theysaidallofit.Childrentoldtheir
storiesoflovingLBAWoodsasdidadults.Theplanonlymentionsthe
purchaseofthe74acreTrilliumproperty.Bentridgeisawillingseller.They
mustbeapproachedandnegotiationsmustleadtothecity'spurchaseof
theland.LBAWoodswasthemostmentionedissue.Bentridgemustbe
specificallymentionedintheplan.
ProtecttheotherhalfofLBAWoods
TheCityhascommittednowtobuyingAshtonWoods(theoldTrillium
Development)thatisHALFoftheLBAWoodsparcel....andtheMPDtax
passedthismonth,theresidentsspokeoverwhelmingly,sothemoneywill
bethereforit.Butthemostbeautiful,denselyforested,trailedandwell
usedhalfoftheWoodsisnotyetslatedforprotection.TheBentridge
parcelneedsclearandunequivocalprotection.TheCityneedstoact
immediatelyonpurchasingoftheentireLBAWoods,themostPOPULAR
itembyfar,whichcameoutofthemanymeetingsandsurveysproduced
9
bytheCItyduringthisProcess.SaveALLtheWoods!!
JanaWiley
OlySpeaks
12/8/15
Over5000peoplevoicedadesireforthecitytoacquirebothTrilliumand
Bentridge
ManekMistry
email12/7/15
I'mhopingtheplanwillbemodifiedtoaddlanguageacquiringBentridge.
JordanBellemail
12/3/15
IliveintheWildernessNeighborhood.Justaquicknotetosayfirst,thank
yousomuchforyourroleinsecuringtheTrilliumparcel!!andsecond,I
hopethecitywillacquiretheBentridgeparceltoosothatallofLBAWoods
ispreserved!Ilovethisplace.Thanksagain!
ThankyoufortheopportunitytocommentonyourDraftOlympia2016
ParksArtsandRecreationPlan.Theplanisanimportantguideto
Olympia'sFuture.Facingclimatechangeandgrowth,ourCityneeds
protectionofurbanwilds.GreenSpacescanminimizethedamageof
urbanlivinginmanywaysbysequesteringcarbon,purifyingwater,
minimizingrunoffandpassiverecreation.Sustainableurbandesign
includesurbanwilds.
ItisimportantthattheCitylookatacquisitionofWestBayWoodsand
KaiserWoodsbutalsoofcriticalimportanceistheacquisitionofthe72
acresoftheLBAWoodsparcelthatisnotproposed.BothLBAWoods
piecesareneededbecauseofsizeandconnectivity.
BobZeigleremail
12/4/15
IbelievethattheresidentsofOlympiaplacegreatvalueontheirparks,
especiallythosewithintactnativehabitat.Visitorstoourcityare
enrapturedwithPriestPointParkandWatershedPark.LBAWoods,
includingbothBentridgeandTrillium,wouldaddhugevaluetoboth
residentsandvisitors.IncludingtheBentridgepropertyinparkplanning
wouldofferparkusediversityintheformofarealoffleashdogpark(!),
athleticfields,andsignificantnativehabitat.Itdoesnotmakesenseto
breakuptheconnectedhabitatthatthecollectivewoodsofferstoanimal
speciesandhumanrecreation.Considerthisasaoneofakindopportunity
tocreateauniqueparkinOlympia.Youalreadyknowthatmanysupport
thisvisiongiventhenumbersofpeoplewhosignedpetitions.(Infact,they
arestillsigningthepetitioninmyoffice!Ihave40moresignaturestoturn
infromthelastfewmonthsalone.)Pleasehearourcollectivevoice
ACityofBellevuePlanningdocumentdiscussestheimportofurbanwilds
especiallyonlargertractsoflands:BellevueUrbanWildlifeHabitat
LiteratureReviewCityofBellevuePreparedfor:CityofBellevue
10
eview_2010.pdf.Itstatesinpart:
"AstheUnitedStatesgrowsinpopulationandcities,suburbs,andrural
areassupportgreaterdensities,naturalwildareasbecomefewerand
urbannaturalareasbecomeincreasinglyvaluabletobothwildlifeand
humans.Recentscientificresearchhasrespondedinkind,andagrowing
knowledgebaseconfirmswhatisbestcapturedinthesummary:"Allurban
areashavethepotentialtocontributetoconservationofwildlife
diversity"(MarzluffandRodewald2008).InthePacificNorthwest,native
habitatexiststovaryingextentswithineventhemostdenselydeveloped
areas....
"7.1HabitatManagementRecommendations
Preservelargepatchesofnativevegetationwhenpossible.Ithasbeen
proposedthatthemosteffectiveandcheapestwaytoprotectspecies
diversityinthelongrunistopreserveasmuchnaturalhabitataspossible
(McKinney2002).Habitatpatchsizeisimportanttoavianspeciesrichness
inalllandscapesandtobreedingbirdsinsome.Therefore,smalland
mediumsizedhabitatpatchesalonewillnotpreserveallnativespecies.
EvidenceTheWatershedCompanyMay200927suggestedthatvegetative
complexity,andnativeshrubdiversityinparticular,contributedtohigher
richnessandlessevennessinbirdcommunitiesinlargerhabitatpatches
(DonnellyandMarzluff2004)..."
SandraNelson
Laneemail
12/5/15
IhopetheCitywillnotpassontheopportunitytoacquirebothportionsof
theLBAWoodsbecauseofthepublicbenefitsthatwouldprovide.
Iwanttothankyou,theCityCouncil,andothersinvolvedintheeffortto
saveourbeautifulLBAwoodsandtoacquiretheTrilliumportion.Iama
hugesupporter(anduser)ofthewoods.Suchagemrightinthemiddleof
ourCity.
Iwouldliketoencourageyoutocontinueyoureffortstonegotiatethe
purchaseoftheBentridgeportionaswellsothatthisbeautifulforestwill
remainintact.
ClaudiaMinton
email12/5/15
Iaminsupportofkeepingthecompletewoodsintoratherthanincluding
onlyhalfthewoodsaspartoftheParksPlan.Havingthecomplete
woodedpackageallowsforanenrichedexperienceforadults,children,
studentsandwildlife.PleasekeeptheLBAwoodsintactratherthan
11
splittingtheareaintotwoparcelsandleavinghalffordevelopmentrather
thanhavingacontiguouswoodoftrailsandwildlifehabitat.
BrentCampbell
email12/1/15
AsavoterintheCityofOlympiaIvotedfortheProposition1.AlthoughI
cansupporttheplaningeneralitsmissingthepurchaseoftheBentridge
portionoftheLBAwoods.Thisisbasicallythemostinterestingofthetwo
parcels.AsavoterIexpectthatthecitywouldingoodfaithpurchaseallof
theLBAwoodsinsteadofonlyhalfofthem.
LizHarrisonemail AsaneighborlivingclosetotheLBAWoods,Ihavelongappreciatedtheir
12/1/15
impactonmylifeandthelifeofmychildren.IampleasedthatProp1
passedandhalfoftheparcelwillberetainedasis.Iaskthatthisis
purchasedwithoutdelay.Ialsoamrequestingthattheotherparcelisalso
savedandthewoodsarekeptintheirentirety.Therearenumerous
reasonswhythisshouldbeso,andIwontelaboratehere.HoweverIwant
toaddmysupporttothehugegroundswellofvoices,whoseethebenefits
ofretainingthistreasuredparcelofgreenspaceforeternity.Asa
communityweneedthismarvelouspark,andweshouldneverbewilling
todestroytreasuredparklandstoappeasethealmightydollarbearing
developers.
TylerStarkemail I'mnotentirelysurewhatIneedtodotohelpsavetheotherhalfofthe
12/3/15
woods.SoI'djustliketosaymeandmyfamilyvotedforproposition1,and
Iwouldlovetoseethewholeareauntouched.Thisisveryimportantto
me,morethanyoumayknowasyouprobablydon'tknowwhoIam.That's
allIreallyhavetosay,soIhopeyouareonmy/our(thegood)side!
Thanks.
MarinaKaminsky
OlySpeaks
12/8/15
23votes
MikeRuth
OlySpeaks
Responseto
PleaseConserveAllofLBAWoods:BoththeTrilliumandBentridge
Parcels!
IgrewupinSEOlympia,andhavingcloseaccesstothetrailsonthese
parcelswasapricelessopportunityformetoexperiencenature.Iwould
oftenrunonthetrailswithmypeersduringcrosscountrypracticeinhigh
school,orwalkthetrailsintheeveningsalone.Iamverygratefuland
relievedthatthecityisproposingtopurchasetheTrilliumproperty,and
amhopefulthatthecitywillalsoconsiderthepurchaseoftheBentridge
parcel,allowingforagreaterbreadthofwildernesswithininnerSE.Sucha
purchasewouldbebeneficialforhabitatpreservationandflood
prevention,aswellasrunners(whoarealwayslookingformoretrail
mileage)!
Peoplewhowanttotryout"easy"mountainbikingcanfindgreatbeginner
trailsinLBAwoods.Manyofthetrailsareflat,wellgraded,andofcourse
inthewoods.Therearesomechallenges,butitsfuntojustrideyourhard
tailrig("notfancybike")inaparkrightintownwithouthavingtomakea
12
comment
bigexpeditionoutofit.Easilygoodforanhourortwoofexerciseina
beautifulwoods.
BobWadsworth
OlySpeaks
12/8/15
Migratorysongbirdsneedforests
17votes
Asurbanizationconvertsmoreandmorelocalforeststohousing
developmentwithlandscapingthatdramaticallyshiftsnativeforestand
shrubvegetationtolawnsandnonnativeornamentalplants.These
providemuchlessfoodvarietyasseeds,fruitsandinsects(oftensprayedin
yards)thantheremovednativevegetation.Asaresult,ourlocalbird
populationsdwindletothetippingpointbeyondwhichtheydisappear
entirely.Olympiaforestsandshrublandsserveashabitatforsummerand
wintermigrantsongbirdsaswellasforyearroundresidents.Oursummer
nestingsongbirdsaremagnificentwithbrightorange,red,yellowandblack
plumage.Ourwintervisitorshavespentthesummerinthehighmountains
orfarnorthandareheretemporarilybeforeheadingbackinthelate
spring.Inneighborhoodsadjacenttoforests,wegettoseeandhearthese
birds.Toremainaviablecity,Olympianeedstomaintainahealthy
environmentforwildlife,whichinturnisahealthyenvironmentfor
people.Severalforestedparcelsarecandidatesforpurchaseandthecity
shouldmoveaheadwiththesepurchasesbeforetheydisappearthrough
development.Inparticular,weneedtopreservetheBentridgeparcelas
wellastheTrilliumpropertytomaintainthefullacreageoftheLBAWoods.
BrianFalleremail
12/11/15
CristianaFigueroa
Onbehalfofthe
LBAWoodsPark
Coalition
Email12/11/15
OnCityofOlympias2016DraftParks,ArtsandRecreationPlanProvided
byLBAWoodsParkCoalition
Excellentplantoaddressparkneedsandpopulationgrowth
Thankyou,CityofOlympia,fortheopportunitytocommentonthedraft
parksplan.Andthankyou,especially,forcommittingtothepurchaseof
the
TrilliumparceloftheLBAWoods.
CongratulationstoallOlympiaParksstaffforastrong,detailed,
wellorganized
ParksPlan.Yourhardworkoverthepastyearreallyshows.How
luckywearetoliveinaparkshungrycommunitywithaParksDepartment,
CityCouncil,andCitystaffnewlycommittedtofocusingonimprovingand
expandingourparksinthewakeoftherecenteconomicrecession.
TheParksPlanrightfullyacknowledges(pages2425)thattheprojected
populationgrowthinOlympiaanditsUrbanGrowthArea(anestimated
21,000peopleinthenext20years)willdrivedemandformoreandbetter
13
parks.ThefutureofOlympiasparksystemmustalsobeconsideredinlight
oftheregionalgrowthoutsidetheCity/UGA,especiallyinThurstonCounty.
Luckily,theParksPlansacquisitiongoalsforopenspaceandhabitatalso
meetenvironmentalgoalsofThurstonRegionalPlanningCouncilas
reflectedintheworkofSustainableThurston,namelytoprotectour
natural
resourcesandhabitatwhileprovidingforpublicaccessandsustainable
uses,andeconomicactivity.
TheParksPlandraftclearlyreflectsthepubliclystatedneedformoretrails,
naturalopenspace,andhabitat,andthemultipleneedsOlympians
expressed,mostofwhichrequirelandacquisitiontobecomeareality.
Thus,theplanhitsthemarkinprioritizinglandacquisitioninthefirstsix
years343acresfrom20172020.Thisupfrontacquisitionstrategywill
enabletheCitytobuylandwhileitisstillavailableataffordableprices.If
implemented,itwillsignificantlyreducetheriskofpermanentlylosingthe
abilitytoacquirethelandsnecessarytomeetfutureparkdemands.
Futurelandacquisitioncriteria
Atpage89ofthedraftplan,theplanreferencesaLandAcquisitionFundof
$11millionthatwouldbeusedtopurchaseanestimated169acresofopen
spacefrom20172020,asdetailedinthe6YearCapitalFacilitiesPlan
table.Theplandescribesthegeneralpurposeandstrategiesandthen
identifiescriteriatobeusedfortheevaluationofpotentialacquisitions.
We
haveanumberofsuggestionstoimprovetheFutureLandAcquisition
section:
1.Addacriterionregardingtorelativescarcityoflandtypeand
vulnerabilitytobeinglost.
Forspecificproperties,eventhe20172020timehorizonforpurchaseis
toolong.Theinventoryofhighqualityparkparcelsisverylimited.Critical
parcelsmaywellbelostforeverwiththenext12years.Onelesson
learned
fromtheimplementationofthe2004ParksandPathwaysballotmeasureis
thatanumberofkeypropertiesandcorridorsidentifiedforacquisition
quicklybecameunavailableforvariousreasons(e.g.,cost,development,
jurisdictionallimitations,etc.)Tominimizetheriskofthesekindsoflost
opportunities,LBAWoodsParkCoalitionrequeststhatCityaddthe
criterion:Relativescarcityoflandtypeandvulnerabilitytobeinglost.
2.Addthecriterion:Potentialforgrantfunding.
14
Parcelswiththepotentialfortheinjectionofgrantfundswillmagnifythe
fundsavailablebyallowingformoreandbetterqualitylandtobe
purchased.
3.Identifytheusefulnessofoptionscontractsandinstallmentcontracts
tosecureproperties.
OptionagreementsandinstallmentcontractscanallowtheCityto
quicklytieupparcelssubjecttopotentialcontingenciesaswellasto
carrypurchasesoverlongerperiodstoobtainortoutilizeotherfunding
sources.Purchaseoptionsweretheapproachusedtosecurethe
purchaseofTrilliumandtheKaiserHeights.WesuggestthattheCity
mentiontheseusefultoolsinthedescription.
BentridgeisessentialtotheconceptofLBAWoodsandmeets
orexceedsallacquisitioncriteria
Toinformpurchasedecisions,theCityusessuitabilityassessmentsof
parcels.Sinceourgrouphasoverthelastseveralyearscollectedsignificant
informationaboutthe72acreBentridgeparcel,wetakethisopportunity
to
pointouthowextremelywellthatparcelmatcheswiththeplansproposed
acquisitioncriteria:
Greatrecreationandhabitatvalue:Bentridgeisessentialtotheconceptof
LBAWoods.Theparcelsmagnificent,matureforestofabout64acreshas
extensiveexistingtrails.Crosscountryrunninggroups,dogwalkers,hikers,
birdersandothersalreadyusethesewoodsroutinely.Aflatareaabout8
acresalongBoulevardiswellsuitedforothercommunityparkuses,which
mayincludesportsfield(s),communitygardens,dogpark,withassociated
parking.Inaddition,thepurchaseofBentridgewillgreatlyenhancethe
recreationalvalueoftheTrilliumparcelandLBApark.Unfortunately,the
Trilliumparcelmayendupfragmentedwiththeconstructionofa5acre
watertoweranditsaccessroad,sportsfieldsandparking,andpotentially
theLogCabinRoadextension.However,evenwithsuchfragmentation,
combiningbothparcels(Trilliumand
Bentridge)wouldprovideacontiguouscorridorofhabitatandtrailsabout
2/3milelongandmilewide.Manyrecentscientificstudieshaveshown
thatlargerparcelsprovidesignificantlygreaterhabitatvalueinspecies
diversityandnumber.Goodlocation.LBAWoodsislocatedcentrallyinSE
Olympia,adjacenttotheexistingLBAParkinanunderservedpartofthe
community(perMap61),andcontiguoustothecountyandtheUGA.
Accordingtodemographicdata,over
10,000peoplelivewithin1mileofthesite.Seeattachment1.Thatdensity
15
willincreaseassignificantinventoryforinfillexistsinsurroundingareas.In
addition,anIntercityTransitbusrouteservestheBentridgesideofLBA
Woods.Suchexcellentlocationandaccessibilityallowsforconjunctive
uses,including
anexpansivetrailsystem,multiplesportsfieldsfortournaments,shared
parking,restroomsandmaintenancefacilities,etc.
Goodvalue:TheCitypurchasedanoptionfortheadjacent74acreTrillium
parcelatabout$65k/acreanexcellentprice.Thecountysassessedvalue
ofBentridgeislowerthanTrilliums,thusaskillednegotiatorwoulduse
thatinformationtolockinadeal.Duetothemultiplepotentialparkuses,
andits
outstandinghabitat,theopportunityexistsforseveraltypesofstategrants
(e.g.,WWRPrecreationandWWRPhabitat)tohelp
fundtheBentridgepurchase.
Willingseller.TheBentridgeownershavebeenmarketingthisparcelfor
thelastthreeyears,andhaveapproachedtheCityonseveraloccasions.
Connectivity:TheLBAWoodstrailsinbothTrilliumandBentridgeprovide
nonmotorizedconnectionroutesbetweenneighborhoods,andacorridor
toeventuallyconnectOlympiaspopulationcorewiththeChehalis
WesternTrail.
Reasonabledevelopmentcosts.The8acresforcommunityparkusesare
flat,upland,andimmediatelyadjacenttoBoulevardroad,whichprovides
accesstoallneededutilities.TheCityhasdeterminedthatthesitecould
accommodateits
stormwater.Theforestportionalreadyhasatrailsystemlinkingto
Trillium.Additionally,trailconnectionscanbeextendedfromBoulevardto
thesouthwestcornerofLBAParkforenhancedaccessibilitytoallareasof
thefuturegreaterpark.
Reasonablemaintenancecosts.Asnotedabove,the64acreforested
portionofBentridgealreadyhasatrailsystemthatanenergizedgroupof
volunteershavecreatedandmaintainedovertime,byroutingtrails,
clearingdownedtreesand
vegetation,removingtrash,bridginglargepuddles,etc.Interestingly,with
moreusersandcleanup,homelessencampmentshavetotallydisappeared
inrecentyears.Volunteersarereadytohelpwithtrailmaintenanceorany
other
needs.
Insummary,theTrilliumparcelalone,withtheproposedadditionofthe
16
watertoweranditsaccessroadandthepotentialLogCabinextension
roaddoesnotleavethequantityorqualityofopenspaceorwildlife
habitat
envisionedbytheLBAWoodsParkCoalitionanditsmanysupporters
acrossthecity.Withouttheadjacentparcel,therewillnotbemuchwoods
left.So,weasktoincorporateintotheplancriteriathatwillenhancethe
Citysabilitytomoveforwardexpeditiouslywithapurchaseoptionforthe
Bentridgeparcel.
Protectinghabitat,inparticular,fortheTrilliumsite
TheplancanbefurtherimprovedbyspecifyingtheneedfortheCityto
thoroughlyevaluateallnonparkrelatedprojectswithinparklands
designatedashavinghighhabitatvalue.InthecaseofTrillium,this
translatestoreevaluatingtheplacement,scopeandimplementationof
the
proposedwatertower(includingfullyexploringotheroptionsforalternate
locations).ReevaluatingtheneedforLogCabinRoadisalsoatasktobe
accomplished.WelookforwardtoworkingwiththeCityinthe
enhancementandprotectionofhabitat.
Creatingalegacy
Letsembracethisrareopportunitytocreatea150acrelegacy
parkthatcanfulfillmultipleneedsnaturalopenspacefor
habitatandrecreation,andintheperiphery,outsidetheforest
core,apotentialforamenitieslikecommunitygardensand
athleticfields.Pleaseseizethemoment
BentridgeDemographicsreportattached.
BruceFortune
email12/11/15
TheOlympiaParksPlanshouldincludetheacquisitionoftheBentridge
parcelaspartofthedevelopmentoftheLBAPark.Thiswouldprovidethe
opportunitytocreatealegacyparkofgreatvaluetotheresidentsof
Olympia,muchgreaterthanonlypurchasingtheTrilliumparcel.Without
theBentridgeparceltheproposedpurchaseofTrilliumisapiecemeal
approachtoparkneeds.Weneedmorethanapiecemealapproach.
ByincludingtheBentridgeparcelwecanworktowardsagreatervisionfor
thearea.Itwouldallowforcommunitygardensinthescotchbroomarea,
protectalargematureforest,allowforperhapsanenvironmentallearning
centerlinkedtothepublicschoolsintheimmediatearea,providelinkage
totheChehalisWesterntrail,andmeettheneedsofimprovingand
enhancinganexistingpark(ie:theLBAballfields).Thereisalreadyparking,
restroomsandutilitiesavailable.
17
IncludingacquisitionoftheBentridgeparcelwillbeatallstagesaverycost
effectivewaytoincreasewildlifeandforestedparkland,encouragepublic
useofcommunitygardensandinteractivewalking,hikingandbiking,and
allowforadditionalballfields.Apiecemealapproachwillnot.
JaneStavishemail InresponsetotherecentlyreleasedparksplanIhavethefollowing
12/11/15
comments:
Thenearly150acresofforestandtrailsthatiscollectivelyknownas
BentridgeandTrillium(AshtonWoods)mustbepurchasedbythecityof
Olympiaandpreservedasaparkforfuturegenerations.Thecityhas
repeatedlymentionedthatsoutheastOlympiaiswheremostgrowthwill
occur,thereforethesepropertiesmustbepreservedbeforeitistoo
late.Combined,theseparcelswouldhaveplentyofspaceforallthe
activitiesrequestedbycitizens.
TheBentridgepropertyborderingBoulevardRoadistheperfectlocation
foradogparkandacommunitygardeningarea.Whilethewestsideof
Olympiahastwoseparategardeningareas,southeasthasnone.Theonly
plantspeciesthatwouldhavetoberemovedwouldbeinvasiveonessuch
asscotchbroomandblackberry.Theforestedhillsideabovehasexisting
largeevergreentreesandtrailsthatcouldbeusedfornatureeducationfor
themanyschoolscloseby(Centennial,MorseMerryman,Washington
MiddleSchool,andOlympiaHighschoolandforhighschoolcrosscountry
runners.
TheportionofLBAWoodsknownasTrilliumwhichliesjusteastoftheLBA
parkmainentranceisapreviousgravelpit.Thisareamaybeidealasa
stormwaterretentionpond,whichwouldallowthedrainingofthethree
fieldsthatsitunusedduetohighgroundwaterandrunofffrom
Bentridge.Thiswouldallowfulluseofallfieldswithouttheneedtocut
downanytreesanywhereontheLBAwoodspropertiestoconstructmore
fields.Thecitycouldthenfullyusewhattheyalreadyhave.
DonnaNickerson CombinetheTrilliumandBentridgeparcelsofLBAWoodsintoanopen
OlySpeaks
spacenaturalparkthatwillhelpOlympiaachievecarbonreductiongoals.
12/10/15
The150acreforestofLBAWoodsproducesnumerousecosystemservices
18Votes
toourcommunity.Ithastremendousvaluetothepublicifleftasanatural
parkwiththeprimarypurposeofactiveand/orpassivenaturaluse(e.g.,
hiking,wildlifewatching,andeducationaluse,amongothers).Oneofthe
servicesthishealthyconiferousforestproducesistocapturecarbonfrom
theair.Carbonsequestrationisaservicethatcompaniesarewillingtopay
18
MikeRuth
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
ChrisHawkins
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
OPARD
fortohelpoffsettheirowncarbonemissions.Microsofthasjustbought
thecarbonoffsetcreditsofa520acreforestnearMtRainierandintends
todomoreoffsettinginourstate.Aninitiativeofthestatescapitalcity
mightjustbeanidealnextopportunity.IfMicrosoftwouldpayOlympiafor
LBAWoodscarboncredits,thecitycouldhavefundstohelppayforthe
parkandwouldalsobeagoodfewstepsfurtherinachievingclimate
changegoals.
Wehavemanypublicopenspacesreservedforathletics,includingthe
RegionalComplex,andschoolplayingfieldswhichcanandshouldbeused
bythepublicafterhours.Whatwehavelessofallthetime,areareasthat
havehealthysecondgrowthforestsoneartowherewelive.
ItisworthreadingsomeoftheworkofEarthEconomics
(http://www.eartheconomics.org/).OnememorablequoteI'vereadfrom
themis"loseanecosystemservice,gainataxdistrict."
IagreethatemphasisinCity'slandacquisitionshouldbeonopenspace
valuableashabitat,thatseesonlylimited,ifany,development.
ThePlansCapitalInvestmentStrategysetsaside$11millionfor169acres
oflandacquisition.Thesefundscouldbeutilizedforpurchasingthe
secondLBAWoodsparcel(theBentridgeparcel),theCapitalCenter
buildingontheIsthmus,adifferentcommunityparksite,orforopen
space.P.87oftheplanlists10criteriathatwillbeutilizedtoevaluate
potentialpurchases.Thesecriterialwouldbeutilizedinapotential
purchaseoftheBentridgeparcelandotherpotentiallandacquisitions.
2.SWIMMING/SPRAYGROUNDS 9Comments+139Votes
MichaelHarburg
email
11/23/15
Thankyouforallyourworkonthisplan.Itwouldbenicetohaveaplace
suchasalakeorpondtoswimin.That'smypreference.Thankyou.
KendraSawyer
email
11/19/15
MelSmi
OlySpeaks
11/21/15
13votes
Ireadthesummaryanditlooksgreatnicework!Ididntseeanymention
ofacityswimmingpool,whichIknowmanypeopleaskedforatthe
meetings.Isthatcompletelyoffthetable?
LooktocooperativearrangementtomeetAquaticandFitnessNeeds
TheParksDepartmentshouldtakealookattheCityofElgin,Illinois'
downtownrecreationcenter.Itwasbuiltincooperationwiththecity,local
hospitalandphysicaltherapypartnership.Includesmeetingrooms,fitness
19
JWaeschleemail
12/7/15
HenryValz
OlySpeaks
11/10/15
45votes
MarciaBenton
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
KarenMessmer
centerandanaquaticcenter.Theaquaticcenterincludesbothashallow
waterexercisepoolandan8lanecompetitivelappool.Theycouldalso
takealookattheKerotasYMCAinSpringfieldwhichisacooperative
facilitywithlocalhospitalandYMCA.
Ihaveacommentfortheparkssurvey.Whateverhappenedtodeveloping
aswimmingareaonWardLakeIwouldlovetoseethathappen.
Skipthe$1MSpraygrounds,andbuildapool!
The$1Mtowards"Spraygrounds"couldhavebetterutilizedbyputtingit
towardstheconstructionofapool.SofarasIcantell(fromyourdata)
therewerezerorequestsfor"Sprayground"waterfeatures.Acheap
alternativeisNOTwhatthepeoplesaidthattheywanted.Weaskedfor
andweneedanaccessiblepoolyearroundforthecommunity.
Poolsavelives.Poolsareavitalpartofacommunitythatissurroundedby
water.Justbyreceivingswimlessonsapersonis88%lesslikelytodrown.
Thisisespeciallyimportantforlowincomeresidents,aswellasminority
groups,whichhavesignificantlyhigherdrowningrates,andalsohaveless
accesstoprivateclubs.
OlympiaandTumwaterSchoolsneedapool.CurrentlyOlympiaHigh
Schoolhas35swimmersin4lanes,andisforcedtolimitpracticebecause
ofdemandsbyothergroups.BlackHillsandTumwaterHighSchoolhaveto
transporttoRiverRidgeinordertogetpooltime,andthisyearhadtorun
practicesaslateas8:30intheevening.
OurcurrentpublicaquaticfacilitiesarewoefullybehindLewisandGrays
HarborCounties.LewisCountyhasopenedupanexcellentaquaticfacility,
andGraysHarbor'sYMCAdwarfseverythingavailabletothepublicin
ThurstonCounty.
TheCityshouldreachouttotheOlympiaandTumwaterSchoolDistricts,as
wellastheYMCAtocometogethertocreateamultiagencyplantobuilda
aquaticsfacilitythatthisareadeserves.SkiptheSpraygrounds,andsave
thatmoneyforaprojectthatisactuallywantedandneeded.
Definitelyinagreementwithapoolinsteadofa"sprayground"waterpark.
Ihavehighschoolswimmerswhowoulddefinitelybenefitfromapoolin
Tumwater.Ialsohavetoddlersandelementaryschoolchildrenwhowould
neveruseasprayparkandwouldbeinmyopinionawasteofmoney.We
traveltoLewiscountywhenwewanttoswimwiththeyoungerchildren.A
poolcloserwouldbeappreciated!
Iattendedseveralofthepublicmeetingsandalsodidnotheararequest
20
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
LoriNesmith
OlySpeaks
12/8/15
18votes
RaymondIngram
OlySpeaks
12/8/15
11votes
KarlJacobs
OlySpeaks
12/11/15
8Votes
DanielleKing
OlySpeaks
12/10/15
44votes
forsprayparks.Anypoolfacilityshouldbeacooperativeeffortbetween
localschooldistricts,cities,andthecounty.
Surroundedbywaterbutnopublicpool
Ididnotgrowuphere,butwhereIdidgrowuptherewasapublicpool,
outdoorandindoor.Outdoordoesnotmakemuchsenseforthisclimate,
butanindoorpoolisperfectforlearningwatersafetyandswimming.True
thereareforpaypools,butcommunitypoolsarearesourceforalland
ownedbythecommunity.Currentlylocalhighschoolshavetotravelto
poolsatEvergreenorthefewschoolswithapool.Olympiaschoolsdonot
haveapool.
Pool
Pleasebuildanewpoolthatswimteamscanpracticein
Thankyouforincludingsprayparks
Witnessthefountainononhotday.Evenjustawarmday.Spraygrounds,
orsprayparks,areenormouslypopular.Theyarefunandeasilyaccessible
byeveryone.Afewmorearoundtownwouldbeawonderfuladditionto
ourlocalparksystem.Thanks!
ACommunityPoolisVitaltoourYouth
AstheCoordinatorforSafeKidsThurstonCounty,partofanational
coalitionwiththemissionofpreventingunintentionalinjurydeathin
childrenages0to19,IamentreatingtheCityofOlympiaParks,Arts&
RecreationtoseriouslyconsideraCommunityPoolaspartofthe2016
Parks,Arts&RecreationPlan.Childhoodunintentionalinjuriesarethe
leadingcauseofdeathamongchildrenfromagesoneto19years,
representingnearly40percentofalldeathsinthisagegroup.In
WashingtonState,drowningisthesecondleadingcauseofunintentional
injurydeathamongchildrenages117.Andsadly,inThurstonCounty
drowningdeathsaretheleadingcauseofunintentionalinjurydeathsin
childrenfromages1to14.Learningtoswimisanevidencebasedmethod
toreducethisdrowningrisk,butwithoutacommunitypoolmostfamilies
misstheopportunitytoteachtheirchildrentoswimandlearnaboutwater
safetyinasafeenvironment.Havingmorecommunitymembersas
swimmersresultsinahealthiersocietywithreducedhealthcarecosts,too.
TheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC)reportsthat
approximately37%ofAmericansareunabletoswim.Thereisalarger
21
OPARD:
disparitybetweenraces,with62%ofAfricanAmericansand47%of
HispanicAmericansunabletoswim.Mostchildrenlearntoswimatpublic
pools.Withoutthis,manyfamiliesinourcommunitytaketheirchildrento
ourunsupervisedopenwatersites.Thisisnotasafeoption.Formalswim
lessonsareassociatedwithan88%reductionindrowningriskfor1to4
yearolds.Logically,swimmingcompetencewouldalsopreventdrowningin
olderagegroups.
Therearealsogreathealthandsocietalbenefitsassociatedwithaccessto
communitypools.In1990,nostatehadagreaterthan15%obesityrate.By
2010,nostatehadanobesityrateunder20%.Andsince1980,theobesity
rateinchildrenhastripled.Innationalsurveys,swimmingislistedasoneof
thetopfiveexercises,particularlygreatasitcanbedonebyallagesand
thosewithdisabilitieswhomaynotbeabletoperformotherformsof
exercise.Therearepositivesocietalcosts,aswell.Reducingobesityby1%
reducesmedicalexpendituresduetoobesitybyabout$85billionovera
twentyyearperiod.Familiesoflowerincomescannotaffordswimlessons
atmanyprivateorsemipublicfacilities,andthereforeare
disproportionallyexcludedfromexposuretothisvaluableskillandthese
addedhealthandcostbenefits.
TherecentThurstonCountyEconomicDevelopmentCouncilsurveyof
downtownbusinessownersindicatedthatrespondentsdesirea
communitypoolasanadditionalbusinesstheywouldliketoseeinthe
downtownarea.Ouruniquecloseproximitytosomuchopenwater(over
42lakes,theNisquallyandDeschutesrivers,andPugetSound),childrens
naturalcuriositytobedrawntowater,thegrowingbodyofevidencethat
swimmingprolongslifeandprovidesvarioushealthbenefits,andthe
alarmingstatisticsondrowningdeathsandourcommunitychildrenall
makeforcompellingreasonstoearnestlycontemplateacommunitypool
aspartofthe2016Parks,Arts&RecreationPlan.Thankyouforyour
consideration.
Theplanproposestwospraygroundwaterplayfeatures.Staffrecognizes
thataspraygroundisnotasubstituteforaswimmingpool.Asprayground
does,however,provideafunwayforyoungerchildrentocooloffonahot
dayatafractionofthecostofaswimmingpool;Asmallindoorswimming
poolcostsapproximately$8milliontoconstructandtakessubstantial
staffingtooperatewhileaspraygroundcostsapproximately$500,000and
doesnotrequirelifeguards/supervision.Thatbeingsaid,staffproposes
addingthefollowingtexttotheplan:
Recreation/AquaticsCenter
22
Intherandomsamplesurveyconductedforthisplan,whenaskedwhatthe
mostneededrecreationalamenitynotcurrentlyofferedwas,swimming
facilitieswasthenumberoneresponse.AsTheOlympiaCenter
approaches30yearsofoperation,planningeffortsshouldbeginformajor
renovationsorreplacementofTheOlympiaCenter.Thiscouldincludea
swimmingpool,icerink, indoor athletic facilitiesand/oradditional
recreationamenities.
ProposedAction:Theplanbudgets$300,000intheLongRangeOptions
20222035sectionforthisplanningeffort.
3.ISTHMUS27Comments+109Votes
EllieWeinstein
email
11/23/15
MelindaMandell
email11/24/15
RobAhlschwede
email11/28/15
WhileIsupportthelistedobjectives,isthereanywaytobrainstorm
aroundremovingthe"mistakebythelake?"
Theproposedplandoesnotcontemplateanysetasideforacquisitionof
thehideousvacantbuildingontheisthmus.Thatwasamarketingpointto
solicitvotesforthetaxincrease.
Prioritiesshouldbemaintenancebacklogandsafetyandsecurity.Thedrug
problemsinsomeoftheparksneardowntownneedattention,asdo
parkinglotbreakins/safetyissuesatexistingparkssuchasPriestPoint.
Pleasefocusonthepromisedpointswhenthetaxhikewasapprovedand
prioritizeinapragmaticmanner.Otherwise,thepublicwillnottrustthose
whorequestedthefunds.Thankyou.
ThereisevidenceofthegreatpublicprocessthatOPARDisknownforand
itispleasingtoknowthatthatprocesshasagainbeenembraced!Having
saidthat,itappearsthatthePlanningDepartmentandacoupleofcouncil
membershaveintervenedintheDepartment'sattempttopresentagood
ParkPlan.
ItisdisturbingtoseethattheIsthmusParkeffortisbeingattacked
successfullybythePlanningDepartment'soverwhelmingdesiretodevelop
theisthmusparcelsthrutheCRAprogram.IurgethatthisParkPlanstates
inamoreaggressivewaytheintenttodevelopaparkonatleastthetwo
parcelsnowownedbythecity.
Furthermore,IhopetoseesomethingaboutrazingtheMistakeonthe
Lakeandaddingthosepropertiestothecity'sinventoryoflandsavailable
23
forparkdevelopment.
AllenMiller
OlySpeaks
12/3/15
17votes
ChrisHawkins
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
Thepossibilityforagreatpublic/civicspaceatthewestentrancetothe
downtownistoospecialtoignore.
TheextensionoftheNorthCapitolCampusHeritageParkandWestBay
ParkandTrail
Pages3536and8081oftheDraftPlanneedtoincludereferencetothe
1911WilderandWhiteand1928OlmstedBrothersplansfortheState
CapitolCampusandtheviewcorridortothenorthacrossCapitolLake,the
isthmus,totheborrowedlandscapesofPugetSoundandtheOlympics.
TheNorthCapitolCampusHeritagePark,whichhasdevelopedoverthe
yearssincethe1986FeasibilityStudybyJonesandJones,fromtheLaw
EnforcementMemorialtotheNorthOval/Fountainblock,isplannedtobe
extendedtothe3blockswestoftheFountain.TheDraftPlanshouldalso
besuretoincludethattheNorthOval/FountainBlockistobecompleted
withthedemolitionoftheremainingbuildingsalongtheWaterStreetside
oftheBlock.The2009FeasibilityStudycostfiguresshouldnotbe
referencedsincetheywereinflatedbyincludingdevelopmentcostsand
areoutofdate.TakealookattheThurstonCountyassessorsvaluationsof
theparcelsandnoticehowParcelNo.91005201000wasvaluedatover$9
millionin2008andisnowvaluedat$318,000.00.Abettercostfigure
shouldreferencethefairmarketvaluesoftheremaining4parcelsofthe
CapitolCenterBuildingwhichadduptoabout$3.5million.Itwouldalsobe
goodtomentionthe$20$25millionthattheCity,County,State,and
privatesectorhavespentontheNorthCapitolCampusHeritageParksince
1990.MyfinalcommentwouldbefortheDraftPlantomoveupthe
timetabletoexpandWestBayParkandTrailtowithinthenext6years
ratherthan10to20yearsasdiscussedonPage83oftheDraftPlan.
OtherwisethePlanlooksgreat.GladwewereabletogettheMetropolitan
ParksDistrictmeasurepassed!
Goodideathereisnotonlyreallyexcellentrecreationvalueofhavinga
completedtrailcorridorfromWestBayintodowntownbutalsoamajor
activetransportationbenefit(alevelroute,outoftraffic,toconnect
westsideneighborhoodstodowntownallowingresidentstoleavethecars
athomeandbemorephysicallyactive).Samegoesforothermultiuse,
sharedusepaths:yes,acquiretheopenspaceandcorridors,butalsomove
uptheirdevelopmentintouseablepathsintheplan(liketheMissionCreek
ParkInterimUsePlanthatopenedupabicycling/walkingpathconnecting
24
onepartoftheneighborhoodtoanother).
AllenMillerOpen pp.3536andpp.8081ofthe2016draftplanregardingtheHeritagePark
House
fountainandtheIsthmusneedtoemphasizethatthesearepartofthe
11/2/15
NorthCapitolCampusasdesignedbyWilderandWhitein1911andthe
OlmstedBrothersin1912.Thereferencetothecommunityrenewalarea
andDowntownStrategyshouldberemovedsincetheStateofWashington,
ThurstonCounty,theCityandtheprivatesectorhavedonatedand
appropriatedover$20millionfortheseareastobeinpublicownershipas
parkandcivicspace.Since1992ideasfortheseareasincludeaSquaxin
IslandTribalmuseum,acarouselandanartesianwellfeature(see
attached).AlsotheCapitolCenterBuildingparcelsfairmarketvalueis$3.5
millionsothereferencetothe2009FeasibilityPlanshouldbedeleted.The
$28million$32millionfiguresareinflatedandoutofdate.TheWestBay
trailandparkshouldbebuiltsoonerratherthanlater.
JerryReillyOpen
House
11/2/15
Overall,verygoodproduct,verygoodprocess
BobJacobsemail
Here'sanotherinputontheIsthmusportionofthedraftParksPlan.This
1. Verypleasedthatwestparcels(formerLarinasite)areclearly
describedaspark
2. ConcernedthatfurtherplansonIsthmusparkdevelopmentare
subordinatedtoworkontheDowntownStrategy.Ifanything,it
makesmoresensetogetclearplanforIsthmus(includingremoval
ofCapitalCenterBuilding)priortofinishingDowntownStrategy.If
IsthmusgetsmixedupwithDTSitwillgreatlycompromisepossible
strongconsensusonDTS.Ataminimumbothplansshouldproceed
together.
3. CostestimateforIsthmusparkat$3032millionwastakenfromold
feasibilitystudyfrom2008.Thishighnumberisoutdated.We
havealreadyspentabout$4milliononwestparcelsand
demolition.SteveHalljustquotedinThurstonTalkthatacquisition
anddemolitionofCapitolCenterBuildingwouldbe$6$10million
range.Isuspectthismaybealittlelow.Butthe$3032million
estimateshouldberevisedorremovedfromplan.Thehigh
numbermakesvisionhappenunattainable.
4. TheremovaloftheCapitolCenterBuildingisaspecialsituationthat
doesfiteasilyintoroutingparkplanningcriteria.Thisisaspecial
anduniquepropertythatsitsdeadcenterinthemiddleofwhat
wouldotherwisebeoneofgreatvistasinAmericalinkingout
CapitolcomplextoPugetSoundandtheOlympicMountains.Italso
servesasthegatewaytoOlympiasrevitalizingdowntown.
25
12/3/15
willcombinewhatIsaidWednesdayeveningwithwhatAllenMiller
submittedafterwards.
TheCapitolCenterAcquisitionandRemovalitemisquitedifferentfrom
otherproposedprojects.Amajorobjectiveistocorrectamajorhistoric
mistakeconstructionofa9storyofficebuildingrightinthemiddleofthe
vistaaroundwhichouroriginalcapitolcampuswasdesignedthevista
thatconnectsthecapitoltotheOlympiamountains.Removalofthis
historicmistake(commonlycalledthe"MistakebytheLake")willvastly
improvebothourcommunityandourcapitolcampus.
Anotherobjectiveofthisprojectistomakethisblockpartofagrandpublic
spaceonthefourblocksbetweenWaterStreet,theCapitolLakeSpillway,
FourthAvenue,andFifthAvenue.Thepurposeofthisgrandpublic
spacewillbeto(1)protecttheareafromhighstructuresinthefuture,and
(2)providethecommunitywithamenitiesworthyofthesetting.Theactual
shapeofthegrandpublicspacewouldbedeterminedwithahighlevelof
publicinvolvement.Manypossibilitieshavebeensuggestedoverthe
years,includingbutnotlimitedtoaNativeAmericanCulturalCenter,ferris
wheel,merrygoround,library,OlympiaHistoryMuseum,sculpture
garden,greenspaces,boccecourts,picnicareas,fountain,etc.Whatever
thepublicdecides.
Thisisanacquisitionanddemolitionproject.Currentcostestimatesarein
the810Mrange.Developmentestimatesarenotincludedbecausethe
finaldevelopmentplanhasnotbeendeterminedandmaynotbe
determinedforanumberofyears.Thistreatmentisthesameasthat
ofotherlandacquisitionprojectsinthebudget.Thecity,urgedonby
citizens,isstressingacquisitionoflandforparksbeforeitislosttoprivate
development.Planningandconstructionoftheseparkprojectsmaybe
yearsinthefuture,andbudgetsforthesepurposeswillbeincludedin
futureparksplans.
Ihopethistextwillbehelpfulindevelopingtheseconddraft.
BobJacobs
email
12/10/15
Thanks for your help on the isthmus item. After looking at the two sections, it is not
at all clear to me that the Capitol Center Building is included in the draft. Esp. from
the headings -- "Isthmus Parcels". At best it is equivocal. FYI, here's what I wrote
to Janine Gates, who asked the question
Janine -I checked with Jonathon Turlove at Parks, who is drafting the Parks
Plan.I think he agrees that the current parks plan contains the 4-block
26
isthmus area as a city goal.
He also thinks that it remains a goal per p. 36 of the draft
replacement plan. It appears to me this is not the case. Reading the
two isthmus sections together (pp. 38 and 81) it appears that the draft
deals only with the two parcels already purchased and cleared. We
will ask that the whole 4-block area be an unequivocal goal, and esp.
purchase and demolition of the Capitol Center Building.
I hope this answers your question.
We understand this is a sensitive area with the current council, but hope for a
parks plan that clearly includes acquisition and demolition of the Capitol Center
Building and creation of a great civic space on the four blocks, the details of which
would be determined after an inclusive public process.Thanks again,
LeeMontecucco
email12/9/15
IamwritingtosaythattheParksPlanDraftdoesgetsomethingwrong!It
appearsthatthe2.3acresthatwerepurchasedforaparkwithparkfunds
andrecentlyclearedofthederelictbuildingsarenotproposedforthe
isthmusparkspaceastheywereinthecurrentparksplan.Perpage36of
thedraft,itappearsthatthisareaisproposedtobesubordinatedtothe
"CommunityRenewalAreaprocessandDowntownStrategy."Thisimplies
thattheareacouldbeusedfornonparkpurposeslikecondominiums.(In
thiscontext,theterm"Park"canincludemorethanjustgreenspace,e.g.
carousel,nativeAmericanculturalcenter,Olympiahistorymuseum,but
thelandneedstoremaininpublicownershipandstructureslimitedin
height."Greatcivicspaceisabetterterm.).
TheOlympiavotingpublichasrepeatedlyexpresseditssupportforthis
publicparkspaceontheisthmus,toincludethepurchaseandremovalof
the"MistakebytheLake":
1.Bythefeasibilitystudyinitiative,
2.Byhugeattendance/protestatrezone(upzone)hearingsforthespace
inquestion,
3.BymakingtheisthmusthedefiningissueintwoCityCouncilelections,
4.Bymakingthisareaoneofthehighestprioritymajorparkprojectsinthe
recentscientificpollbyStuartElway(page14,middle),
5.Byvoting6040fortherecentMetropolitanParkDistrictballotissue,
6.Byvoicingtheirsupportinthousandsofpersonalcontacts,doortodoor
andatdowntownevents,andsigningtobeonemaillistsregardingthe
isthmusandthe"Mistake."
Pleaserestorethispartoftheparksplan.
Publicsentimentforthe4blockareabetweenWaterStreet,theCapitol
27
TomHolzemail
12/1/15
RogerHorn
email
11/12/15
LakeSpillway,FourthAvenue,andFifthAvenueremainsstrongand
clear.DownwiththeCapitolCenterBuildingandonwithagreatpublic
space!
Inmymindthehighestpriorityforacquisitionistheisthmus.
ThereisonlyonecapitalintheUSwithamilliondollarviewsuchasours
spoiledonlybythemistakebythelake.Letusconverttheentire
isthmustoparkstoenhancetheviewofthecapitol.Thatisthewaytoadd
valuetothecommunityanddrawinvestment.
ConverttheCapitalCenter("MistakeontheLake")intotheOlympiaArt
Center(othernamesmaybebetter,butitdescribestheconcept).AsI
envisionit,allninefloorsofthebuildingcouldbedevotedtoartrelated
purposes.Idon'thaveenoughknowledgeofthebuildingtomakea
definiteproposal,buthere'sapossiblewaytousethespace:
1)OlympiaArtSpaceAlliancecouldprovidelive/workspacesforartistson
floors4through8(andperhapsfloor3).
2)Thetop(9th)floorandmaybetheroofcouldbeusedasobservation
areas,arestaurantorcafe,spaceforvariousartworks,salesofcrafts,etc.If
theroofcanbeused,partofitcouldbeusedforgreenery,partfor
displayingsculptures,andperhapsrestaurant/cafeandsittingspace.
3)Floors2and3couldbeusedforartsclassrooms,artssupportservices
(e.g.,printing,supplies,kilns,sharedmaterials),communityarts
organizations(suchasArbutusandProcession),performancespace,and
galleryspacefororganizationssuchasEvergreenandSPSCC.
4)Floor1couldserveasrotatinggalleryspaceandperhapssomeofthe
servicesIincludedinitem3.Itmayalsobespaceforaconnectedretail
businessandperformingspace.
Ihavementionedthisideatoaseveralpeople.Mostofthemthinkitisan
interestingconcept.
Ihaveheardfromsomefolks(includingChrisTuckerfromArtspace
Alliance)thatSPSCCandEvergreenarelookingforartspacedowntown.I
thinkthisconceptcouldgarnerfinancialsupportfromCommerce'sBuilding
fortheArtsProgram,theWashingtonStateArtsCommission,adirect
appropriationfromthelegislature,orprivateartsorganizationsand
individuals,aswellascontributionsfromtheprojectpartners.Itwould
28
LeeHarrison
Montecucco
OlySpeaks
12/8/15
19votes
requiresubstantialefforttobringtogetherallthepartners,buttheresults
couldbeoutstanding.
AsfarastheCity'srole,itwouldprobablyrequirepurchaseofthebuilding
andhelpingtobringtogethertheparties.NowthattheMPDhaspassed,
fundingmaybeavailable.
IreadintheOlympianthatadeveloperhasexpressedinterestinusingthe
buildingforapartments,retail,andarestaurant.Idon'tknowhowfar
alongthatprocessisorhowcommittedthedeveloperis.We'llneedmore
informationonthattodeterminewhethertomoveontheproposalI'm
describing.
IhavementionedtheideatoReneeSunde.Ithinktheartscentercould
haveahugeeconomicdevelopmentbenefit.Itcouldserveastheanchor
ontheisthmusandgeneratemanyotherprojectsandbusinessinterest.It
wouldalsoattracttouristsandvisitors.IhaveseeninSt.Paul'sLowertown
neighborhoodhowtwoArtspacefacilitiesbuiltintheearly'80shave
helpedrevitalizeaformerlyblightedanddangerousareaintoonethatis
thriving.
Anotherbenefitmaybetoconvertwhatmanypeoplethinkofasanugly,
blightedbuildingintoapieceofartusingthecreativityoflocalarchitects
andinputfromtheartcommunity.
Anythoughts?Iknowthisconceptwillneedalotofrefining,butIwanted
getsomethingdownonpaperforpeopletothinkabout.Itcertainlywould
beambitious,butmaybethat'swhatourcityneeds.
Thanks.
IsthmusParkandMistakebytheLake
appearsthatthe2.3acresthatwerepurchasedwithparkfundsforapark
29
1. Bythefeasibilitystudyinitiative,
2. Byhugeattendance/protestatrezone(upzone)hearingsforthe
spacein
question,
3. BymakingtheisthmusthedefiningissueintwoCityCouncil
elections,
4. Bymakingthisareaoneofthehighestprioritymajorparkprojectsin
the recentscientificpollbyStuartElway(page14,middle),
5. Byvoting6040fortherecentMetropolitanParkDistrictballotissue,
6. Byvoicingtheirsupportinthousandsofpersonalcontacts,doorto
doorandatdowntownevents,andsigningtobeonemaillistsregarding
the isthmusandthe"Mistake."
LakeSpillway,FourthAvenue,andFifthAvenueremainsstrongandclear.
DownwiththeCapitolCenterBuildingandonwithagreatpublicspace!
BillRobinson
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
BonnellJacobs
OlySpeaks
12/8/15
21votes
Nowthatthederelictoldbuildingshavebeenremovedfromthe
downtownIsthmuswecanbetterenvisionthewonderfulpublicspacethis
canbetoourwaterfront.Thereisbroadandagrowingsupportive
citizenryforparksandthedowntownarea.Nowitistimetobeginthe
planningforthenextphaseforthisiconicspacethatwilldefinethecore
valuesofourcommunity.TheIsthmusshouldnotbepartoftheCRAorthe
otherslowmovingplanningprocessesthatwillonlydeflatethe
momentumofthepublicsupportforaparkorotherpublicspaceonthe
Isthmus.Takedownthatuglytallbuildingitistrulyamistakeonthe
lake.
WhatshappenedtotheIsthmusPlanforaGreatPublicSpace?
WhathappenedtothePlanforaGreatPublicSpaceontheIsthmus?Itisin
thecurrentParksPlan.Onpage36&81ofthenewParksPlanitseems
thattheParksDepartmentissubservienttothePlanningDept.s
CommunityRenewalAreaanditsdowntownstrategycommittee.The
CommunityRenewalArea(CRA)processandtheDowntownStrategywill
30
GlenAnderson
email&
OlySpeaks
12/10/15
23votes
RobAhlschwede
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
KragUnsoeld
email12/11/15
informOPARDsLevelofinvolvementintheIsthmusarea.Thisdisturbs
meforseveralreasons,2ofwhichare:1.TheStrategyCommitteedoesnot
includeanyonefromtheHeritageCommission,TheEnvironmental
CommunitynortheYesonOlympiaParksCoalition.2.Whoistosaywhat
thePlanningDepartmentwilltotakeovernext.Willtheyhandpick
anotherstrategycommitteetoplanwhatshouldhappenalongWest
Bay?GrassLakes?OrLBAWoodsoranyofthetrails?Thistakeoverseems
ratherhighhandedgiventhatthepublicjustvotedbyover60%totax
ourselvesforparksandyettheParksDept.seemstobeplayingleftout.
ENTIREISTHMUSforapubliclyowned+accessiblepark
ThepeopleofOlympiatheREAL,LIVEPEOPLE(notabsenteedevelopers)
wantTHEENTIREISTHMUStobeaPARK.
RemoveALLbuildings.
Createapark:
OWNEDBYTHEPUBLIC
FREELYACCESSIBLETOTHEPUBLIC
THEIMMEDIATENEEDISFORTHEPUBLICTOOWNTHEENTIREISTHMUS
andtoABSOLUTELYRESERVEITFORAPUBLICPARK.
Wecanworkoutthedetailsoftheparklater.TheCitycandeviseapublic
processtoengagereal,livepeopletofigureoutwhattheparkwouldlook
like,etc.
ThisistheHIGHESTPRIORITYforthecity!
Andlet'smakesurewedefinethe"isthmus"soweallaretalkingaboutthe
samepieceofrealestate.Thelandbetween4thAveand5thAve,from
WaterStreettotheendoflandatthewestend.Thatpieceoflandisthe
"jewel"ofthecityandshouldhavenothingbutacityownedcivicspace.
Parkcanmeansomanythings,butitdoesnotmeanresidentialorhighrise
buildings.
Iamsendingthisemailtoexpressmyopinionaboutthepropertyonthe
isthmusinOlympia.Specifically,the2.3acresonthewestpartofthe
isthmusthatthecitypurchasedforapark,withparkfunds,andrecently
clearedofthederelictbuildings,thelandthatiscurrentlythesiteofthe
CapitolCenterBuildingandthebuildingitself,andthelandeastofthe
Heritagefountain.Iwantyoutorestoretheisthmusparkasahighpriority
project.
Thelandthatthecityacquiredforparksshouldbedevelopedasapark.the
31
WalterR.
Jorgensenemail
12/11/15
CapitolCenterBuildingandthelanduponwhichitsitsshouldbeacquired,
thebuildingtorndown,andthisshouldalsobedevelopedasapark.The
isthmusisclearlygoingtobeimpactedbyrisingsealevels.Itis
unconscionabletoconsiderdevelopingnewresidential,retailand
commercialenterprisesonthisland.TheexistingbusinessesBayview
Thriftway,theyachtclub,andTraditionsFairTradeshouldbehelpedto
makesealevelrisecontingencyplans.Thecurrentparksplancallsforthe
acquisitionandremovaloftheCapitalCenterBuilding.Thisneedstobeput
intothedraftparkplan.
SinceIamcommentingontheDraftParksPlanIwillalsostatemyfeelings
aboutthetheCommunityRenewalArea(CRA)processandtheDowntown
Strategy.TheseareveryrelevanttothecommentsthatIhavemadeabout
theusingtheisthmusforparks.AsIstatedabove,sealevelriseisamajor
factorinmakingitinappropriatetoconsidernewresidential,retailor
commercialenterprisesontheisthmusland.Anotherreasontonotdoitis
thatOlympiashouldstartanestuaryreclamationandrecoveryeffort.This
wouldincluderecoveringboththeDeschutesandMoxlieCreekestuaries.
Thisisofvitalimportancesothatwecanbegintheprocessofrecovering
aquaticbirdpopulationsandmodelinghowamoderncitycancoexistwith
criticalaquatichabitats.
Thankyouforconsideringmycomments.
TheCityhasnowcompleteddemolitionofthebuildingsonthetwo
recentlyacquiredisthmuspropertiesandisworkingontheWaterStreet
properties.Alreadythenorthsouthvisualcorridoracrosstheisthmusis
affordingspectacularviewsoftheOlympicsandStateCapitol.Thecrown
jewelwillbethespacecurrentlyoccupiedbythe"MistakeontheLake."
MyadvicetoOlympiansistogolookatwhatyouhaveanddon'tletthe
Cityoranyoneelsetakeitawayfromyou.Noticing,enjoying,andvaluing
thisnewvistaisadelightthatyouandtherestofthepublicdeserveas
yourjustreward.Andnow,finishthejob.ReducetheMistaketoapileof
rubble,scrapeitcleanliketheothertwositesandmarvelathowyou'velet
yourcitybreathe.
TheplanacknowledgesthepopularityofreplacingtheCapitolCenter
Building.
MostDominantThemes(Topicsmentioned20ormoretimes)
BuytheLBAWoodsproperty
32
Acquirelandingeneralwhileitisavailable
Buyopenspace/naturalareasprovidenearbyaccesstonature
SecondaryThemes(Topicsmentioned1019times)
Providemoretrailsandtrail/sidewalkconnectionstoparks
UtilizeVotedUtilityTaxasitwasintended
Constructanoffleashdogpark
Increasevolunteerism/ParkStewardshipProgram
DevelopaparkontheIsthmus
Noclearpriorityamongsixpotentialmegaprojects.
Askedtoranksixpotentialprojects,respondentsscoredthetopfour
itemsinatight
cluster,headedbythePercivalLandingproject.
ClosebehindweredemolishingCapitolCenterandcompletingthe
Olympia
WoodlandTrail.
AcquisitionoftheLBAWoodsranked4th,followedbydevelopingthe
WestBayPark
andTrailandDevelopmentofanAthleticFieldCommunityPark.
Let'sremovethisblemishonOlympia'sdowntownwaterfrontandputthe
"mistake"yearsbehindus.
AnneB.Holm
email12/11/15
IamreallyconcernedthattheIsthmusParkisnotspecificallydiscussedin
thisdraft.Ithasbeenpartofthecurrentplanandshouldnotbeignored
inthisproposal.Perhapsit'snotmentionedbecausethecitydoesnot
wanttospecifyparticularlotstopurchaseforfearthatthiswilljackup
prices.However,inthecaseofthe"mistakebythelake",thiswouldbe
aspeciousargument,asanyonewho'sbeenpayingattentionknowsofthe
citizens'interestindestroyingthatbuildingandturningtheisthmusintoa
park.
Myconcernisfurtheraggravatedbythelatestdiscussionstoerectlarge
buildingsonatleastpartofthearea,thusendingthepossibilityofhaving
alandmarkparkinthemiddleofthecity,withunobstructedviews
betweentheCapitolandtheOlympics.Thisviewscapewouldbeunique
totheworldandatreasureforallofthestate.Therefore,inordertohelp
fighttheseshortsighteddevelopmentideas,itisvitalthattheparksplan
continuetoincludetheIsthmusPark.
33
Iamalsoveryconcernedthatbuildingssuchascondos,hotels,etc.would
besubjecttofloodingfromsealevelriseandliquefactionfrom
earthquakes.Thecitywillenduppayingavastamounteitherfor
preventiontechniquesorrepairs.Itseemsobvioustomethattheonly
reasonableuseoftheisthmusisasapark;whendamagedoesoccur,itwill
beeasierandcheapertocontainandrepair.Asevidenceofthelooming
problems,Ihavealsoforwardedtoyouyesterday'sannouncementfrom
thestateDESregardingthecurrentstateoffloodingindowntown
Olympia.
PleasechangetheparkplandrafttomaketheIsthmusParkapriority...help
protectthesewonderfulviewsforallofus.Thankyouforyour
consideration.
HEAVYRAINFALL,HIGHTIDESCAUSEMINORFLOODINGATCAPITOLLAKE
Acombinationofrecordsettingrainfall,floodingontheDeschutesRiver
andhightidesinPugetSoundcausedminorfloodingthismorningaround
theeastsideofCapitolLakefromapproximatelythewalkingbridgeat
HeritageParktotheFifthAvenuedamspillway.
Watercameclosetobutdidnotreachanydowntownbusinessesearlythis
morning.Itdid,however,brieflycoveracoupleofcitystreets.Floodingis
contained,atthepresenttime,withinHeritagePark,butwaterhas
inundatedthepathwayaroundaportionofthelake.Theparkremains
openatthistime.
TheDepartmentofEnterpriseServices(DES),thestateagencyresponsible
formanagingthe260acreartificiallake,hasbeenandcontinuestorelease
asmuchwaterthroughtheCapitolLakedamaseachlowtideallows.
DEScloselymonitorsweatherforecasts,streamflowontheDeschutes
River,tidetablesandmoretodeterminewhentolowerthelakebelowthe
normalwinterlevelinadvanceofmajorstorms.
Earlythismorning,whenDESstaffdeterminedthatthelakewasgoingto
flood,thedepartmentnotifiedthecityofOlympia.DESalsoquicklyclosed
asectionofWaterStreetand7thAvenue.Thecityimmediately
implementeditsfloodresponseplanwhichincludespumpingexcess
stormwaterdirectlyintoCapitolLakeandplacingsandbagsintheareato
protectnearbybusinesses.
34
CapitolLakeisfilledbytheDeschutesRiver,whichhasbeenatfloodstage
duetoheavyrain.Therivercrestedaround4a.m.thismorningandisnow
dropping.Atitsheight,theriverwasfillingthelakeatarateofabouttwo
feetanhour.
TherewillbeachanceofadditionalminorfloodingatCapitolLakelater
todayduringthehightideat4:08p.m.DESandthecityofOlympiawill
haveequipmentandsuppliesinplacetorespond.
JohnNewman
email12/11/15
Ihavesomecommenttomakeontheparkplans.
1.Theisthmusshouldbeallparkandnobuildingsbecauseofthesealevel
risedanger.
2.Thestaffdoesagreatjobofmanagingtheparksnow.
Thankyou;
SherriGoulet
email12/11/15
TheIsthmusParcelspieceoftheplanneedstobecompletelyrewritten.I
referyoutothedocumentsubmittedbytheFriendsoftheWaterfront.
a.Intheintroduction,theisthmusshouldbedefinedasthe4acrearea
boundedbyWaterStreet,theCapitolLakespillway,FourthAvenue,and
FifthAvenue.Languagesuchasthefollowingshouldbeadded:"The
remainingderelictstructuresontheisthmusarethe9storyCapitolCenter
Building(knownlocallyasthe"mistakebythelake")anditsonestory
Annex.Asreportedelsewhereinthisplan,thereisstronglocalsupportto
removethesebuildings,particularlythe9storybuilding,whichisalong
festeringeyesorethatmarsthenorthwardvistathatconnectstheState
CapitolCampuswiththeOlympicMountainstothenorth,andaround
whichtheStateCapitolCampuswasdesigned."
b.Thecontentofthesecondbulletunder"challenges"shouldbe
deletedbecauseitisinaccurateduetoageandthefactthatitincludes
developmentwhichisnotincludedincurrentproposals.Initsstead,an
estimatedcostof8Mto10MforacquisitionanddemolitionoftheCapitol
CenterBuildingandAnnexshouldbeinserted.
6.The"IsthmusParcels"itemonpage81shouldbeamendedassuggested
inthepreviousitem,callingforacquisitionanddemolitionoftheCapitol
CenterBuildingandAnnex.
Myeditorialcommentis:
APARKisthemostpracticaluseofthat4acrearea.Notethecomments
ofAndyHaubaboutsealevelrise:
35
http://www.eenews.net/stories/1059968975.Ifthecity(meaningthe
planningdepartmentandcitycouncil)decidestousesomeofthis
propertyinthis4acreareatocreatepublic/privatepartnershipsand
structuresarebuiltthathavetobedefendedfromsealevelrise,whowill
pay?Itiswellknownbywearytaxpayersthatwhenpublic/private
partnershipsarecreated,thepublicpaysandtheprivateprofits.
The4acrearea(listedinletteraabove)mustbedesignatedasapark,
andtheCapitolCenterBuildingandAnnexmustbepurchasedand
demolishedinordertocreatethatpark.Itiswhatcitizenswanttosee
happen,anditisthemostfinanciallysounddecisiontomake.
SueLeanemail
12/11/15
ZenaHartung
email12/11/15
LeeMontecucco
PleaserestoretheIsthmusParkasahighpriorityproject.Pleaserestore
thepurchaseandremovaloftheCapitolCenterBuildingtothenewParks
PlanDraft,astheyareinthecurrentParksPlan.
Iamconcernedaboutthischangeandurgeyoutokeeptheisthmusatop
priority.Viewblockingbuildingsonthisland,vulnerabletobothsealevel
riseandliquefaction,wouldrepresentpoorplanningandbecontraryto
overwhelmingpublicopposition.Possiblefuturedevelopmentshouldnot
"inform"theparksplan.
IwouldalsoencourageyoutopurchasethelandnearWatershedParkto
accommodateusebyvisitorsstayingatthenewhotelssoontobefinished
nearby.Watershedisjustfarenoughawaythattouristsarelikelytodrive
thereandthendriveontowhereverelsetheyaregoing.Citizensworked
hardtogetfundingforparksinordertopurchaselandwhileitisavailable
andthisseemslikesensiblepreplanningbeforeovercrowdingoccursin
thisarea.
Withbestwishes,
Theisthmusparksshouldbeahighpriority.Nootherareainourtownhas
gatheredthesincereinterestandpoliticalactivismwe'veseenwiththe
parks.Ifitweren'tforthesecritics,todaytherewouldbenochange.
Unfortunatelytheremovalofthedecrepitbuildingshasnotresultedin
placingofgrowingthings.Theisthmusparksneedtobedevelopedasper
thecitizen'swishes,whichincludestheremovalofthemistakebythelake
akathecapitalcenterbuilding.Pleaseheedthewishesofthevocalcitizens
ofOlympia.Theyspeakformanywhowillbenefitfromtheseareasas
parkland.
36
email12/10/15
appearsthatthe2.3acresthatwerepurchasedforaparkwithparkfunds
1.Bythefeasibilitystudyinitiative,
2.Byhugeattendance/protestatrezone(upzone)hearingsforthespace
inquestion,
3.BymakingtheisthmusthedefiningissueintwoCityCouncilelections,
4.Bymakingthisareaoneofthehighestprioritymajorparkprojectsinthe
recentscientificpollbyStuartElway(page14,middle),
5.Byvoting6040fortherecentMetropolitanParkDistrictballotissue,
6.Byvoicingtheirsupportinthousandsofpersonalcontacts,doortodoor
andatdowntownevents,andsigningtobeonemaillistsregardingthe
isthmusandthe"Mistake."
LakeSpillway,FourthAvenue,andFifthAvenueremainsstrongand
clear.DownwiththeCapitolCenterBuildingandonwithagreatpublic
space!
KathleenCallison
email12/10/15
PleaseprioritizeIsthmusPark,andthepurchaseandremovalofthe
MistakebytheLake,intheParksPlanandotherplanningdocumentsand
processesfordowntownOlympia.
Thecommunityhasrepeatedlymadeclearinelections,atpublic
meetings,andinthecommitmentoftimeandenergybycitizenswhocare
abouttheissuethattheytheMistakeshouldberemovedandtheIsthmus
shouldbeapublicspace.
37
EmilyRay
Email12/10/15
GlenAnderson
email12/10/15
Inthepastfewweeks,aswecrosstheisthmus,wecanfinallybegintosee
therealizationofavisionthatmanyofushavecherishedandworkedfor
anopenspaceattheheartofthecity.
Itwillbeabetrayalofthatvision,aswellasamisuseoffundsthathave
beenearmarkedforparks,iftheCitypursuesapathwhoseprimary
benefitswillbeincreasedrealestatevaluesforprivatelandownersand
developers,andhomesforhighincomeresidents.Icompletelydisagree
withtheideathatdevelopmentoftheisthmuswillattractmore
developmentdowntown.Theoppositeistrue:Apublicspaceattheheart
ofthecity,linkingtrailsandparksoneithersideoftheisthmusand
providingspectacularviewsofthemountainsandSound,isthelegacythat
willenhancequalityoflifeinanincreasinglydenseurbanenvironment.
Allgreatcitieshavegreatparksattheirheart.TheCityofOlympianeedsto
havethecourageandvisiontoaspiretobeagreatcity,withopenspace
preservedforfuturegenerations.
IsthmusParkmustbeprioritizedaspartofthatlegacy.
First,IlovedwatchingJonathanTurloveplayhisguitarandwarbleabout
theparkplan.Whattalent!
Second,retheplan,let'skeepsomesortoffocusonthe"isthmus"and
gettingthathorrendousbuildingdown.Theremustbesomesmallsteps
thatcanbefinancednow,evenifthewholecostiscurrentlybeyondusto
payfor.
ThepeopleofOlympiatheREAL,LIVEPEOPLE(notabsenteedevelopers)
wantTHEENTIREISTHMUStobeaPARK.
RemoveALLbuildings.
Createapark:
OWNEDBYTHEPUBLIC
FREELYACCESSIBLETOTHEPUBLIC
THEIMMEDIATENEEDISFORTHEPUBLICTOOWNTHEENTIREISTHMUS
andtoABSOLUTELYRESERVEITFORAPUBLICPARK.
Wecanworkoutthedetailsoftheparklater.TheCitycandeviseapublic
processtoengagereal,livepeopletofigureoutwhattheparkwouldlook
38
like,etc.
ThisistheHIGHESTPRIORITYforthecity!
WalterJorgensen RemovetheMistakeontheLake
OlySpeaks
12/11/15
TheCityhasnowcompleteddemolitionofthebuildingsonthetwo
4Votes
recentlyacquiredisthmuspropertiesandisworkingontheWaterStreet
properties.Alreadythenorthsouthvisualcorridoracrosstheisthmusis
affordingspectacularviewsoftheOlympicsandStateCapitol.Thecrown
jewelwillbethespacecurrentlyoccupiedbythe"MistakeontheLake."
MyadvicetoOlympiansistogolookatwhatyouhaveanddon'tletthe
Cityoranyoneelsetakeitawayfromyou.Noticing,enjoying,andvaluing
thisnewvistaisadelightthatyouandtherestofthepublicdeserveas
yourjustreward.Andnow,finishthejob.ReducetheMistaketoapileof
rubble,scrapeitcleanliketheothertwositesandmarvelathowyou'velet
yourcitybreathe.
TheplanacknowledgesthepopularityofreplacingtheCapitolCenter
Building.
MostDominantThemes(Topicsmentioned20ormoretimes)Buythe
LBAWoodspropertyAcquirelandingeneralwhileitisavailableBuy
openspace/naturalareasprovidenearbyaccesstonatureSecondary
Themes(Topicsmentioned1019times)Providemoretrailsand
trail/sidewalkconnectionstoparksUtilizeVotedUtilityTaxasitwas
intendedConstructanoffleashdogparkIncreasevolunteerism/Park
StewardshipProgramDevelopaparkontheIsthmus
Noclearpriorityamongsixpotentialmegaprojects.Askedtoranksix
potentialprojects,respondentsscoredthetopfouritemsinatightcluster,
headedbythePercivalLandingproject.Closebehindweredemolishing
CapitolCenterandcompletingtheOlympiaWoodlandTrail.Acquisition
oftheLBAWoodsranked4th,followedbydevelopingtheWestBayPark
andTrailandDevelopmentofanAthleticFieldCommunityPark.
Let'sremovethisblemishonOlympia'sdowntownwaterfrontandputthe
"mistake"yearsbehindus.
KragUnsoeld
PleaserestoretheIsthmusParkasahighpriorityproject.Pleaserestore
OlySpeaks
thepurchaseandremovaloftheCapitolCenterBuildingtothenewParks
12/11/15
PlanDraft,astheyareinthecurrentParksPlan.Iamsendingthisemailto
39
1Vote
expressmyopinionaboutthepropertyontheisthmusinOlympia.
Specifically,the2.3acresonthewestpartoftheisthmusthatthecity
purchasedforapark,withparkfunds,andrecentlyclearedofthederelict
buildings,thelandthatiscurrentlythesiteoftheCapitolCenterBuilding
andthebuildingitself,andthelandeastoftheHeritagefountain.Iwant
youtorestoretheisthmusparkasahighpriorityproject.Thelandthatthe
cityacquiredforparksshouldbedevelopedasapark.theCapitolCenter
Buildingandthelanduponwhichitsitsshouldbeacquired,thebuilding
torndown,andthisshouldalsobedevelopedasapark.Theisthmusis
clearlygoingtobeimpactedbyrisingsealevels.Itisunconscionableto
considerdevelopingnewresidential,retailandcommercialenterpriseson
thisland.TheexistingbusinessesBayviewThriftway,theyachtclub,and
TraditionsFairTradeshouldbehelpedtomakesealevelrisecontingency
plans.Thecurrentparksplancallsfortheacquisitionandremovalofthe
CapitalCenterBuilding.Thisneedstobeputintothedraftparkplan.Since
IamcommentingontheDraftParksPlanIwillalsostatemyfeelingsabout
thetheCommunityRenewalArea(CRA)processandtheDowntown
Iamcommentingtoexpressmyopinionaboutthepropertyontheisthmus
inOlympia.Specifically,the2.3acresonthewestpartoftheisthmusthat
thecitypurchasedforapark,withparkfunds,andrecentlyclearedofthe
derelictbuildings,thelandthatiscurrentlythesiteoftheCapitolCenter
Buildingandthebuildingitself,andthelandeastoftheHeritagefountain.I
wantyoutorestoretheisthmusparkasahighpriorityproject.
Thelandthatthecityacquiredforparksshouldbedevelopedasapark.the
CapitolCenterBuildingandthelanduponwhichitsitsshouldbeacquired,
thebuildingtorndown,andthisshouldalsobedevelopedasapark.The
isthmusisclearlygoingtobeimpactedbyrisingsealevels.Itis
unconscionabletoconsiderdevelopingnewresidential,retailand
commercialenterprisesonthisland.TheexistingbusinessesBayview
Thriftway,theyachtclub,andTraditionsFairTradeshouldbehelpedto
makesealevelrisecontingencyplans.Thecurrentparksplancallsforthe
40
AnneHolm
OlySpeaks
12/11/15
8Votes
GeraldReilly
OlySpeaks
12/11/15
16votes
OPARD
acquisitionandremovaloftheCapitalCenterBuilding.Thisneedstobeput
intothedraftparkplan.
SinceIamcommentingontheDraftParksPlanIwillalsostatemyfeelings
aboutthetheCommunityRenewalArea(CRA)processandtheDowntown
Planforparkontheisthmusshouldbeincluded
PlanNowforGreatCivicSpaceonIsthmus
Pleasebeginimmediatelytoplanthedetailsandfeaturesofagreatcivic
spaceontheIsthmus.Throughthepartnershipamongthecity,thecounty
andtheOlympiaParkFoundationwehavealreadyacquiredoveronehalf
ofthelandrequiredforthepark,Therecentdemolitionoftwoderelict
buildingsonthesiteclearlyshowstheamazingpotentialforthis
spectacularlocation.Althoughwestillneedtoacquireandremovethe
vacantninestoryCapitolcenterBuilding,weshouldbeginnowspecific
planningfortheparkspacewealreadyown.
ThePlansCapitalInvestmentStrategysetsaside$11millionfor169acres
oflandacquisition.ThesefundscouldbeutilizedforpurchasingtheCapital
CenterBuilding,adifferentcommunityparksite,orforopenspace.P.87
oftheplanlists10criteriathatwillbeutilizedtoevaluatepotential
purchases.Thesecriterialwouldbeutilizedinapotentialpurchaseofthe
CapitalCenterBuildingandotherpotentiallandacquisitions.
ProposedchangetoIsthmussectiononp.36:
Addedtotheendoftheintroparagraph:Theremainingvacantstructures
ontheisthmusarethe9storyCapitolCenterBuildinganditsonestory
Annex.Therandomsamplesurveyforthisplanshowedstrongpublic
supportfordemolishingtheCapitolCenterBuilding.
The2009IsthmusParkFeasibilityStudyconcludedthatthecostof
41
developingaparkontheIsthmuswouldbe$28millionto$32million.
(Thiscostestimatewasremovedbecauseitwasoutdatedandtomakethis
projectdescriptionconsistentwithotherpotentialparkacquisition
projects.)
SignificanceforthePlan:
TheCommunityRenewalAreaprocess,andDowntownStrategy,and
futureCityledfocusareaplanningwillinformOPARDslevelof
involvementintheIsthmusarea.OPARDsupportsredevelopmentandthe
continualremovalofblightandwilllikelyhaveasignificantroleinthe
Isthmusareabasedonpreviousinvestmentsandstrongcommunity
supportforexpandedparksinthisarea.
ProposedchangetoIsthmussectiononp.79:
ProposedAction:TheCommunityRenewalAreaprocess,andDowntown
StrategyandCityledfuturefocusareaplanningwillinformOPARDslevel
ofinvolvementintheIsthmusarea.OPARDsupportsredevelopmentand
thecontinualremovalofblightandwilllikelyhaveasignificantroleinthe
Isthmusareabasedonpreviousinvestmentsandstrongcommunity
supportforexpandedparksinthisarea.ThePlansCapitalInvestment
Strategyidentifies$5millioninMPDfundsin20172021tosupportahigh
priorityproject.AnIsthmusparkdevelopmentprojectisoneoffour
projectsidentifiedasahighpriorityprojecttoutilizethesefunds.
4.SOCCER/RECTANGULARFIELDS 51Comments+79OlySpeaksVotes
AngieRagane
mail11/30/15
Soccerfieldswithlightswouldbenice.Mykidshaveplayedsoccerfor
manyyearsandfallsoccerisalwaysachallengewhenthedarknessseems
tocomeearlierandearliereveryyear.Itwouldbeniceiftherewas
adequatelightingonexistingsoccerfields.Wealsostruggleeveryyearfor
soccerfieldsthatarenotlikeaswampduetorain,someofthefieldslack
properdrainage,suchasLBApark,thefieldsbyBrigg'sYMCAandofcourse
Yaugerpark.
MichaelSantana
email11/30/15
Through,JeffJohnson,IorganizeParks&Recreation'sultimatefrisbee
leagues.Overthelastthreeyearsourfrisbeeleagueshavegrownfrom
abouteightyplayerstoabout150players.Additionally,Iamparentoftwo
childrenplayingyouthsoccer.
IwouldliketoencouragetheCitytodedicatemoreresourcestothe
maintenanceofourcurrentrectangularsportsfields,andtocreatenew
42
rectangularsportsfields.BothofthesewillbenecessaryasThurston
County'spopulationgrowsinthenearfuture.
GinaMatzene
mail11/30/15
I'moutoftownfortheDecembermeetingbutsinceIwatchedyour
awesomevideoonFacebookandyouarelookingforpubliccommentI
wouldliketorespondaboutOlympia'sneedformaintainedsoccerfieldsin
theupcomingparksplan.
WiththepopularityofsoccerIbelievethatthereisaneedforsoccerfields
incloseproximitytohighdensityareaswithbiketrailsaccessibletothem.
AnexamplewouldbeLBApark.
Thankyouandgoodluck,
SandyHallstrom
email11/29/15
Hi,sogladthattheparksaregettingattention!
Iwouldliketorequestthatbothsoccerfieldsandacoveredparkbe
consideredinanyupcomingplans.Coveredparkspacewouldbegreatfor
familieswithlittleonesneedingaplacetogowithoutgettingdrenched
duringrainytimes.Thanks
Istronglyencouragetheextensionofsoccerparks!!Mysonplayedfor
yearsandisnowincollegebutsoccerplayedsuchavaluableassetinhis
life.Ionlyhopeallchildrencanhaveeveryopportunitytoplay.Keeping
childrenfocusedandinathleticsisveryimportant!!
IamwritingtolendmysupporttowardsenlargingLBAparkandincluding
anysoccerfieldsinthegrowthplan.Thankyou,
IhavetwochildrenthatplayforOlympiasoccerteams.Ourhomegames
involveustravelingsouthonI5toTumwaterandtheBlackHillsFootball
clubfields.Forthesoccerclubrepresentingthestatescapital,itwouldbe
absolutelyfantastictobeabletogotosomelocal,wellkeptsoccerfields
forplay.Notjustforyouth,butformiddleschool,highschoolandeven
adults.Itis,afterall,themostpopulargameintheworld.
Astheparentofthreeboysthatparticipateinsoccer,Iwouldliketomake
acommentontheneedforsoccerspace.Inyourparksplan,please
considerputtingsomeofthemoneyintosoccerfields,soccerisahuge
sportforkids
inOlympia.Wehaveparticipatedinsoccerthroughouttheyearsthrough
YMCA,ThurstonCountyYouthSoccerAssociationandthroughOlympia
HighSchool.(Nottomention,theselectsoccerclubssuchasBlackHills
Soccer)
TamiPettersone
mail11/29/15
SimoneGrant
email11/29/15
MikeOBrien
email11/29/15
AngieFreesee
mail11/29/15
43
SallyBrownfield
email11/29/15
FrancoisCadye
mail11/30/15
MichaelHenry
OlySpeaks
12/1/15
12votes
ThisaffectsalargepercentageofpeopleinOlympiaandwouldbewell
used.(LookatRACinLacey,thisplaceisalwaysfull!)
Thankyouforyourconsideration.
Please,cityofOlympia,realizethatthereisanurgentneedforsoccerfield
space.Somelandshouldbepurchasedorlandalreadypurchasedshould
bereservedspecificallyforsoccer.Atthemoment,Olysoccerhastoshare
and/orcompeteforfieldswiththeschools.Adedicatedsoccerfieldwould
greatlyenhancetheparkplan.Althoughtheprocessforcreatingtheplan
hasbeengoingon,Idontbelievethesoccercommunitywasmadeaware
ofitorincludedintheplanninguntilnow.
Istronglysupportthatsoccerbeincludedintheplan.
IreceivedyourcontactinformationaspartofamessagefromtheOlympia
UnitedSoccerClub.IhavebeenavolunteercoachforOUSCfor5years
andspendabout150200+hoursperyearinthisrole.I'mwritingtogive
mysupportforinitiativestoincreasethenumberandqualityofsoccer
fieldsinthecityofOlympia.Mytwoteamshavetosharemiddleand
gradeschoolfieldswithotherteams.Asaresult,theplayersare
compressedandliterallynevergettheopportunitytopracticeofafullfield
whichisquitelimitingforoveralldevelopment.TheOlympiacommunity
hasembracedthegameofsoccer,foryears,andinterestwillonlycontinue
togrow.OUSCisoneofthelargestrecreationalsoccerclubsintheregion,
ifnotthelargest.Theplayerssincerelyneedfieldstoplaythegame.The
personal,social,andteamdevelopmentthatcomesfromsoccerismassive.
OUSCacceptsallcomers,hasscholarshipsforthoseinfinancialneed,andit
isavolunteerbasedclubimpactinghundredsofOlympiachildren.Please,
pleaseincludesoccerfieldsintheplan.
Athleticfieldsforouryouth!
Asafatherof2,IstronglyfeelthatthechildrenandyouthofOlympia
deservemoreathleticfacilitiesandfieldsinOlympia.Soccerisoneofthe
mostpopularsportsforyouthintheUS,andprovidestremendousvalueto
thecommunity.Notonlydowellmaintainedfieldsbenefitthecommunity
andincreasepropertyvalues,ateamsportlikesoccerpromoteshealthy
successfulchildren.SoccerbuildshealthykidsFromaphysicalstandpoint,
socceroffersoneofthebestways,ifnotthebestway,forachildtogetin
topphysicalshapethroughparticipationinayouthsport.Theaverage
soccerplayerrunsapproximatelysevenmilesthroughoutthecourseofthe
game;themixofsprintingwithendurancerunningdevelopslongandshort
musclefibersandalsoaerobicaswellasanaerobiccapabilities.Playing
soccerimprovesflexibility,cardiovascularcapability,andbodycomposition
44
MarissaDuerr
12/1/15
OlySpeaks
15votes
DominiqueCoco
OlySpeaks
12/1/15
13votes
JohnBenford
OlySpeaks
11/24/15
10votes
(loweringthepercentageofbodyfatwhileincreasingmusclemass).In
additiontothesephysicalbenefits,yoursoccerplayershouldexperiencea
heightenedsenseofselfconfidenceandincreasedsocialskills.Playingona
teamwithotherpeersforcesyoutointeractinwaysyouwouldntlearnat
school.Towinasateam,youmustplayasateam,whichincludespassing
andcommunicatingonthefield.Yourchildmaylearnheisbetterat
communicatingonthesoccerfieldthanhehasbeenanywhereelseupto
thatpoint.TGenerally,teamactionsarenoticedmorethanindividual
actions.
Eventhough,asaparent,youmaybeworriedaboutyourchildfindingtime
forschoolworkwhenheorsheisalsojugglinggoingtosoccerpracticeor
games,studieshaveshownthatchildrenwhoplaycompetitivesports
generallyalsoperformatanaboveaveragelevelinschool.Whetherthis
resultsfromanincreaseinselfconfidence,oranincreaseinphysical
energywhichhelpsmentalenergyandstamina,itisgoodforyourchildto
learnthelessonofbalanceinhisorherdailylife.
Youthathleticfieldsaredesperatelyneeded!
AsamotheroffourandlongtimeOlympiaresidentitisashamethatour
youthandtheirfamilieshavetocommutetoHawksPrairieareato
competeandpractice.Ourkidsdeservewellmaintainedparksandathletic
facilitiesintheirowncommunity.Pleaseconsiderouryouthwhen
designingandupgradingparksandfields.Inadditiontobenefitingourkids,
moreathleticfieldswillbringeconomicdevelopmenttoourown
communityashundredsoffamiliesdineandshopatlocalbusinesses
before,betweenandaftergames.
Weneedmoreyouthsoccerfields!
Weallknowtheimportanceofyouthsports.Participationinsportsby
childrenandadolescentsisassociatedwitharangeofdocumented
physical,emotional,social,educationalandotherbenefitsthatcanlast
intoadulthood.Thenumberofkidsplayingyouthsoccerinourareahas
grownsignificantlyinthepastfewyears,andnowwearestrugglingtofind
spaceforourkidstopracticeandplaysoccer.Thecurrentnumberof
soccerfieldsinourareaisinadequate,makingthisanurgentproblemthat
needstobeaddressed.
YouthSportsneedplacestoplay.
Asaboardmemberofalocalyouthbaseballleague,westruggletosecure
athleticfieldstomeetourincreasedregistrationnumbers.Whetherthisis
accomplishedbybuildingmorefieldsforothersportswhichfreeup
45
RickPerry
OlySpeaks
11/21/15
22votes
MarkStanley
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
BobSnuggles
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
IanFerguson
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
ScottLavis
Campbell
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
RobAhlschwede
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
KevinRigg
existingfieldsornewfieldsarebuiltmatterslittlebuttheyouthofthiscity
needdedicatedathleticfieldstoplayon.
Moreyearroundsoccerfields!
Thurstoncountyisindesperateneedofmoreyearroundsoccerfields
thatistosaylitturffields.Iseethat"athleticcomplex"islistedinthe
executivesummary,butwanttobesurethatthecityunderstandsjusthow
desperatetheneedisrightnow.We'vegotmorepeopletryingtoplayyear
roundsportsthanwecancurrentlyaccommodate,and,beingarecsports
boardmember,I'mhavingpeoplecomplaintomeaLOTaboutthecity's
lackoffields.Idotellthemtocallthecity,butI'mnotsurehowmany
have.
ComparedtoothercitiesinWesternWatheavailabilityofyearround
fieldsisprettypoor.It'snotonlytheYouthprogramsthatareindesperate
needforspaceit'salsotheadultprogram.Whenthelocaladultleaguehas
torunalotteryforteamstojoinsolelyonthebasisoflackofyearround
fieldspacethat'sabigproblem.
ThisistheONLYtypeofparkthatmakessensetobuild!Alltheseother
parksareridiculous.WhatpeopleneedtorealizeisparksareCOSTcenters.
Theytakerevenuetorun.Weneedtogeneratemorerevenueby
attractingbusiness.Thatbeingsaid,ballfieldsliketheRAC,atleast
generatesomedirectrevenue(feesforuse)andindirect(peoplecomingto
towntoplayinatournamentgotothelocalretailers/restaurants).Nobody
justcomesheretositinanemptypocketpark.
Inthefall,IplayinanultimatefrisbeeleagueonMondaynightsatthelit
fieldsattheRAC.Thegrasssoccerfieldsnexttothelitfieldsareoftenfull
ofyoungchildrenplayingsoccerbythespilloverlight.It'snotmuchlight,
butit'salltheyhaveaccesstoapparently.Ourleaguewasluckytogetthat
Mondaynightslotsixyearsago.We'vebeentryingsincethentogeta
differentnight,butthatwastheonlyoneavailable,andnownoneare
available.It'sinconvenientandwastefultodriveallthewayoutthere,but
it'sallwehave.
Thefactthatitisdifficulttogetspaceforpracticingandgamesspeaksto
theneedformoresoccerfields.Wellmaintainedfieldswithlightingwould
beideal.Weshouldn'tbelimitedbyspace;havingtoturnpeopleaway
fromtheselifelongsportsthathelpkeepourcommunityhealthyand
connected.
Andthepointabout"turf"/yearroundfieldsisimportant.Initialcostof
installationishigherthangrass,butthemaintenanceovertimemostoften
offsetstheinitialinvestment.Inthisclimate"turf"isnecessary.
Iamincompleteagreement,Rick.Thedemandisclearlythereasanyone
46
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
DrandMrs
MichaelHenry
email12/1/15
involvedinalocalsportsleagueknowsbasedonhowdifficultitistosecure
fieldsforpracticesandgamesonayearroundbasis.Thisisahugeneed
rightNOWandwouldbeagreatwaytoserveourcommunity.AsBob
correctlypointsoutabove,turffieldsareagreatwaytogeneraterevenue
yearroundfromthecommunityandfrompeoplecominginfromoutof
townfortournaments.
Hi,
Ihavereadthedraft2016plan.Ilovethedirectionthatisbeingtaken,for
myselfandmychildren.Weareanactivefamily,andfeelthatoneareaof
paramountimportanceisthedevelopmentofsoccerfacilitiesandfieldsin
Olympia.Whileallteamsportshavesignificantbenefittothecommunity,I
feelthatsoccerinparticularisoftremendousvaluetothechildrenand
youthofOlympia,foranumberofreasonsthatIhaveoutlinedbelow.
Ourteamparentshaveacommitmenttodeveloptheirsons
anddaughtersintothebestpeopletheycanbe,bothonand
offthefield.Thisisaccomplishedthroughwellorganized
games,practicesandcommunityeventsandemphasison
positivecharactertraitssuchasgoodsportsmanship,fair
play,teamwork,effort,persistence,positiveattitude,dealing
withpressure,honoringthegameandrespectforcoaches,
opponentsandofficials.
CoreValues:
Tofulfillcivicresponsibilitybyactivelyparticipatingin
communitypartnershipsandactivities;
Toencourageandprovidesupportallowingourathletesto
achieveacademicsuccess;
Toprovideapathwayopentoallsoccerplayerswhowishto
participate,allowingthemtoreachtheirfullpotentialby
providingageanddevelopmentallyappropriate
programminggearedtowardlongtermsuccessand
enjoymentovershorttermoutcomes;
Toprovideanenvironmentwheresoccerplayersbuild
characterthroughthedevelopmentofimportantlifeskills
suchastimemanagement,responsibility,resilience,
sportsmanship,workethicandteamwork;
Toprovideastructureandenvironmentwherewinningis
importantbutplayerdevelopmentisparamount;
Tocreateasafeenvironmentthatcontributestothe
developmentofmentallyandphysicallyhealthyindividuals
thathaveselfconfidenceandrespectforthemselvesandfor
47
DavidThomson
OpenHouse
12/2/15
others;
Tocreateanenvironmentthatfacilitatesthegrowthofthe
sportofsoccerandfostersaloveofthegame.
Forallofthesereasons,mywifeandIstronglysupportthedevelopmentof
astrongOlympiasoccerprogramwhichwouldbenefitimmenselyfromthe
creationofsoccerfieldsinOlympiaaspartofthe2016Plan.
Iamadvocatingforseveralnewsoccerfields.IrepresentOlyUnited
SoccerClub(boardmember)andThurstonCo.YouthSoccerAssoc.
Olympiaisinaseriousshortageofsoccer/football/rugby/lacrossewhich
canallbesupportedbythesamespace.OlyUnitedhasmorethan1,000
familiesinthegreatOlympiaarea.Wearethelargestsoccerclubin
ThurstonCountyandpromotehealthyandhappykidsthatlearnlife
lessonsonthesoccerpitch.Pleasesupportmorefieldsforyouthsports.
Connieemail
11/30/15
whatdoyouthinkofthe4acresofgrassonstatestreetdowntown?i've
alwaysimagineditasasoccerfield.it'sownedbytheportbutiwouldbe
curiousiftheywouldbeopentoitasrecreationspace.i'mnotanexpert
onsoccerfields,though,isitabigenoughspace?iwouldlovetoseemore
publicrecreationdowntown.
DanJonesemail
12/8/15
ArelSolieemail
12/8/15
YestosoccerparksinOLY!
ChantolSego
email12/8/15
Domingaemail
12/8/15
Iamwritingtorequestsupportforasportscomplexaspartoftheparks
plan.Mydaughterhasplayedextracurricularsportsfor11yearsandfield
spacehasalwaysbeenanissue.Inmanycases,wehavehadtosplit
practicefieldswithotherteams,whichdon'tallowustopracticefullfield,
andsometimesthegamescheduleisn'tchildfriendlybecauseofthe
limitedspaceavailable.Iamaproponentofasoccercomplexthat
potentiallyhasbaseballfieldsandacommunitypool.Weareindesperate
needofthisinourcommunity.Wemustbuildspacesfororganizedactivity
forouryouth,thatcouldalsobenefitadultsplayingrecreationalsports.
Pleaseconsiderfundingasoccercomplex,withthepossibilityofbaseball
andpoolaccess.Manythanksforacceptingmycomment.
Iwouldliketoofferaquicknoteinsupportofmoresoccerfieldsin
Olympia.Thesoccerclubshavealargenumberofkidsthatjoinandplay
throughouttheyearandtheyneedappropriateplacestoplay.Soccerisa
greatwaytokeepthekidsactiveandoutoftrouble.Pleasehelpusgive
themthespacetheyneed.
I'maparentofabuddingsoccerplayerintheOlympiacommunity.We
haveanurgentneedformoresoccerfieldsforclubuseasoursport
48
continuestogrow.Pleaseconsidermakingmoreyouthsoccerfieldsahigh
priorityinthe20yearparksplan.
KellySchneider
email12/8/15
ThankyouforconsideringthelongtermneedsoftheOlympiasoccer
families.Wehopeyouwillrealizethattherewillbeaneedformorefields
andbetterfacilities.
RobBambaemail I'masoccercoachinOlympiaandI'vebeencoachingsoccerforlast9
12/8/15
years.It'sreallysadandunfortunatethatcityofOlympiadoesnotany
sportscomplexes.TwoyearsagoImovedmysoccerteamfromOlympia
UnitedtoChinquallySoccerbecauseofthequalityoffieldsandavailability.
ThefieldswewereplayingonwasreallyasafetyissueformykidsthatI
coached.Thelastthinganyparentorcoachwantsischildbreakingan
ankleorblowingoutaknee.
InowcoachaselectsoccerteamforTCUnited.Travelingthroughoutthe
state,I'vehadtheopportunitytoseeothercitiesparksandfields.The
parksaretopnotchfacilitiesthatthelocalcommunityplayin.It's
saddeningtosaywehaveabsolutelynoparksthatwouldevencomeclose
towhattheyhave.Whatdowehave?YaugerPark?OrYaugerLake?
Let'sdosomethingaboutthisforouryouthandourcommunity.It'stime
forapark/sportscomplexinOlympia.
LeslieCoppin
email12/8/15
Hey,justwantedtoletyouknowmyfamilywouldlovetoseesomesoccer
fieldsincorporatedintotheparkplan.Myboysplaysoccerandthefields
theyusearefewandfarbetween.
MicheleLanda
email12/8/15
Asaparent,homeownerandresidentofOlympia,Iameagertohave
ampleplayfieldsforsoccerandotheractivitiesavailabletoallwhowantto
usethem.Thanksforallyoudo!
Olympianeedsmoresoccerfieldspace!Pleasemakethisapriorityforthe
20yearparksplan.
Wehavetwoyoungboys,whoLOVEsoccerbutwecanhardlyfindasoccer
fieldnearby.Ifpossible,weliketoseemoresoccerfieldsinyourplan.
Thankyouverymuchforyourconsideration.Reallyappreciate.
Olympiaparksareagreatassetstoourcommunity.Soccerisagreat
motivatortogetmyfamilyouttotheparksandenjoyingthem.Itis
importanttomethattherecontinuestobespaceforyouthsoccerleagues.
WearethrilledabouttheparksthatOlympiacurrentlyhasaswellaswith
theplansforthefutureexpansionoftrailsandparks.Oneareathatwe
dontfeelisbeingaddressedenoughistheurgentneedformoresoccer
fields!Mysonplaysbothfallandspringsoccerattheageof6yearsold
CamilleWilson
ZhiZhouemail
12/8/15
MeghanDuffie
email12/8/15
CarrieMingay
email12/8/15
49
Matthew
Plummeremail
11/30/15
IanFerguson
email11/30/15
andwithasmuchashelovesthegame,Idontseethatchanginganytime
soon.Hislittlebrotherwilljoinhimsoon.Thankyouallforyourhard
workandpleaseconsideraddingsoccerfieldstotheParksPlan.Thankyou
foryourtimeandconsideration.
IgrewupplayingsoccerinOlympia.Eventhenfindingspacetopractice
andplaywasdifficult.NowmysonplayssoccerinOlympia,andwe
strugglewiththesameshufflingaroundbasedonschoolfieldavailability.
Pleasemakesignificantspaceforsoccerintheupcomingparksplan.
Blessings,
Thanksforacceptingfeedbackontheparksplan.Ihaveafewpointsto
address:
1.IwouldliketoencouragetheCitytoprovidededicatedrectangular
athleticfieldsforteamsports.EitheratLBAorattheupper,flatterportion
oftheWardLakeparcelwouldbefine.Somethingalongthelinesof
PioneerParkinTumwaterwouldbeagreatstart(althoughIamsurethey
willbereservedcompletelyfullbeforetheyarereadytoplayon).Mykids,
mywife,andIallplayintheUltimateFrisbeespringleaguesatLBA,andits
great,buttheolderkidsandadultsneedlargerandbetterfields.Ultimate
FrisbeeisagreatsportfortheCitytoencouragebecauseofits
accessibility.Menandwomencan,andoftendo,playtogether.Asmykids
age,therehavebeenafewtimesthisyearwhenmywholefamilyhasbeen
abletoplayatthesametime.Also,Ultimaterequiresnogoals,justflat
grassyspaceandsomeplasticcones.
2.Readingtheplan,Iseethatthenewathleticfieldcomplexwasranked
belowothermegaprojectsinasurvey.Isitnecessarytomakeitamega
project?Coulditjustbesomefieldswithsomeparkingandabathroom?I
alsowonderifitwerepresentedinasurveywiththecostattached,ifa
lowercostversionofanathleticfieldcomplexmightbemorepopularthan
someoftheveryexpensivemegaprojects.
3.ItseemsliketheYelmHighway(atWiggins)sitewouldbeacost
effectiveplacefortheathleticfieldcomplexasenvisionedbythesuitability
studyfrom2014.However,theparcelsnearLBAwouldbecloserto
downtownandthereforemoreconvenientandcentrallylocated.TheLBA
parcelmightbebettersuitedtoasmallerproject,perhapstwofields,
perhapsjustnaturalgrassinsteadofsynthetic,litfields.Afterreadingthe
study(AthleticComplexCommunityParkSuitabilityAssessment),Iwas
hopingtofindintheparksplansomeconcretestepsbeingtakento
addresstheconsultantsrecommendation.Perhapsinthenextdraftthe
plancanincludeamoredirectresponse.
50
4.LastspringIwasinthearea,soIthoughtIdstopbyKettleViewPark,
sinceIdneverbeenthere,andwaswonderingifwemightbeabletoplay
frisbeethere.Iwaspleasedtofindasmallishgrassyareawithan
acceptablegradethatwouldbebigenoughforasmallgameofUltimate.It
hadsomekidsizesoccergoalsuponeitherend.ButwhenIwalkedout
ontothisfielditwasntactuallyflat,anditwasextremelywetandsoft.It
wasntevenasuitableplaceforafamilytopracticethrowingandcatching,
andIimagineitwouldbeevenworseforsoccerplayers,sincetheground
wassouneven.SoIwassurprisedtoseethattheparksplanlistsitasfully
developedandinexcellentcondition.
5.InthesectionforCommunityParkDemandAnalysisIfeltlikethere
wasinformationthatbelongstheretoquantifythedemand.Therewas
somedataforsoftballfielduse,butthePlanfailstoconveytheextreme
requirementsofyouthsoccer.WhenmysonplaysatRainierVista,every
fieldisinuse,withtheyoungerkidsfillingthesoftballoutfields.WhenI
playUltimateattheRAConMondaynights,thefieldsnexttothelitfields
arefullofkidsusingspilloverlighttopractice.Imnotsurehowyoucould
quantifyhowmanykidsarentusingOlympiasnonexistentsoccerfields,
butitmightbepossibletocontactthelocalorganizationsthatneedfields,
andfindoutwhattheywouldsignupfor.Iknowthelocalultimate
organization,SouthSoundUltimatePlayers(SSUP)wouldlovetosignupto
runleaguesonfieldsinOlympia.
Thanksforlistening
AnneKilgannon
email12/8/15
Icouldn'tfigureoutaplacetomentionthisissueintheParkscomment
section.Onceagain,today,Ireadaboutgraveconcernsregardingartificial
turfusedforsoccerfields(andothersports).TheNewYorkTimesrana
largearticletodayreferencedhere:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/09/sports/soccer/onturfuswomen
digintheirheelsat
last.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story
heading&module=secondcolumnregion&region=topnews&WT.nav=top
news
detailingthedangersofthesefieldsfortheplayers.Finally,teamsare
refusingtoplayonthesesurfacesanddemandinggrassfieldsforhealth
andsafetyreasons.Andyet,IhaveheardParksstaffpromotetheuseof
artificialturfforsportsfieldsforOlympiaareakidsmanytimes.Please,
please,listentotheconcernsaboutthesedangerousfieldsandstop
51
lookingforwaystobringthemtothiscommunity.Yes,weneedsports
fields.ButNO,thosefieldsshouldnotbemadeofthismaterial.Pleasedo
moreresearchandconsiderthehealthofteammembers.Itwouldbe
deeplyironicifparentssignedtheirkidsuptoplaysportsonlytohave
thempoisonedandinjuredonthesefields.
Thankyouforlistening,
MarkPorteremail Pleasemakesuresoccerfieldsarepartofthenewparksplan.Theyare
12/8/15
desperatelyneededinasoccermadcommunitythatisoftenforcedtogo
toothersurroundingcitiestoplay.Thankyouforyourconsideration.
AudreySeamons
OlySpeaks
12/9/15
4votes
Howaboutsometurfsoccerfieldsnow?
Wealwaysfocusonyouthsportsbuthowaboutsportsforadultstoo!Iam
anadultover40soccerplayerandmytwochildren(ages9and11)play
competitiveandrecsoccer.Ihopeconsiderationsforfielduseincludethe
adultsoccercommunityaswellasthekids!Thedraftplansayssomething
aboutacommunityparkprojectwithsyntheticlightedfieldsforphaseII
development202235.Acomplexisagreatidea(andverymuchneeded!)
butthatisalongtimetowaitforsomethingthatisreallyneedednow!As
hasalreadybeenascertainedbyseveralothers,therearenogood
(dedicated)fieldspacesforsoccerinOlympiacity.Eventhewomens
soccerleagueputonbyOlympiaParkshastoplayonasupercrappyfield
atoneofthemiddleschools.Itwouldbereallynicetohaveaplacetoplay
thatdidnthavegiantholestostepinorcalfdeepmudtosuckyourshoe
offasyouplay.Asyntheticmultifieldcomplexwouldbeverywellusedifit
wereavailable!
Asanadultsoccerplayer,Ilovethepartofspringandsummerseasons
whenwecanplayattheRACfieldsinLacey.Thatcomplexisfantastic,
however,theyonlyhaveoneturffieldtobesharedbymanydifferent
typesofteamsandthegrassfieldsareclosedinthewinter.Inthefall,our
adultsoccermovestoYaugerParkinOlympiaandthismovemakesme
veryunmotivatedtoplay.Thesoccerfieldsareonthebaseballfieldand
thedirtsectionsofthefieldareveryconcretelike.Whentheconcretedirt
getswet,itisreallyslipperyanddangeroustorunon.Thetwolowerfields
alsotendtogetswampysometimessoswampythatyoucantreallyuse
thatpartofthefield.WeapparentlyhavenowhereelsetoplaybecauseI
dontthinkanyadultsoccerplayersIknowwouldchoosetoplayonthose
fields.Inthewinter,adultsoccerdoesnothaveenoughfieldspaceforthe
demandandtheleaguehastoturnmanyteamsaway.Ithinkcreating
52
moreyearroundfielduseareasshouldbemadeapriority.
Regardingsoccerforthekids,wewenttoLaceytoplayrecsoccerbecause
therewasconsistentlyavailable,wellmaintainedfieldspaceavailableand
thatisnotreallythecaseinOlympiacity.Therearealsookayfieldsin
Tumwater.OurkidsmostlyplayattheCapitolsoccercomplexinTumwater
butinthewinter,thesefieldsareoftentoofloodedtoplayonandthe
grassneedssomeseriousrecoverytimeasitgetstrashedbybeingover
usedbyalltheyouthsoccerteamsintheareaandtheclubteamnightly
practices.Inthewinter,thekidscram68differentteampracticesona
singleturfhighschoolfieldandthosefieldsarenotevenavailableforthe
twiceweeklypractices.Also,Iamamanagerformysonscompetitive
teamanditisverydifficulttofindfieldspacetoplaythegamesoninthe
latefallandwinter.Moreallweathersurfacesareneededforeveryoneto
playon.Ifspaceisanissueforacomplex,whataboutinsteadturningmore
schoolpropertiesintosyntheticsurfacesandmakingthemopentonon
schoolfieldsportsyearround?Atthispoint,anyplaceturnedintotoa
placewecoulduseyearroundwouldhelpthesituation!2035istoofar
away.
BradGrimsted
OlySpeaks
12/9/15
7votes
Heather
Thompson
OlySpeaks
12/9/15
8votes
YearRoundSportsFields
Sportsfieldsthatcanbeusedyearroundprovideneededrecreationspace
forthecommunityandalsocanbeasignificantcontributortothe
economy.LookathowmanypeopleareattheLaceyRACeverydayand
yougetanideaofimpactthatcouldoccurifafacilitywaslocated
proximatetodowntownOlympia.Wehaveenoughparks.
YouthSoccer
WhereisthesupportforYouthandAdultSoccer?TheCityofOlympiahas
alreadyinvestedagreatdealofsupportandfundingtotheArts.Therehas
beennoinvestmentinsupportoftheyouthsoccermovement.TheCityof
Olympiahasnodedicatedsoccerfieldsforyouthsports.Giventhesizeof
thiscity,comparedwithothercitiesintheSeattleBellevueTacomaarea,
thisisnotincongruencewithwhatwouldbeexpectedfortheyouthand
adultsoccercommunities.Soccerisaverypopularsportthatpromotes
healthandwellness.Adedicatedsoccercomplexwouldalsoincreasethe
opportunitiesforeventsthatcouldbringfinancialopportunitiesforthecity
ofOlympiaaswell.IhighlyencouragetheCityofOlympiatoreevaluatethe
currentParksandRecreationplantoincludededicatedsoccerfields,
somethingthathasnotbeengivenattentioninthepast,whileotheritems
53
thathavebeenincludedontheplanhavebeengivenattentionandfocus
inpreviousplans.Thankyouinadvanceforyourconsiderationofthis
proposedchange.
MaliaFlynn
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
DoubleTsquared
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
Iagree!Ourkidsandadultsneedmoresoccerfields!Wehavetogoto
LaceyorTumwatertopracticeandplaysoccerwithmy10yearold
daughter.WherearethesoccerfieldsinOlympia?EvenLaceyand
Tumwaterareshortonfields.Pleaseconsiderhelpingwiththisgreat
outdooractivity.Weplayallyearexceptwinter.Weneedsoccerroomto
play!!!!
Weneedlessfatasslittlekidssomoresoccerfieldswouldbegreat!As
longaswecankeepthehomelessandherionaddicticoffthem....
JessicaMarkowitz Iwritetosharemysupportofmoresoccerfieldsandyearroundsports
email12/9/15
structuresasaMomofasoccerplayerandOccupationalTherapistinthe
schoolsystems.Ourkids,andadults,benefitfromaccessible,affordable
outdoorhealthyoptions.
AsaVolunteerforStandUpforKidsandBigBrothersandtheFoodBank,I
seesoomuchneedforincreasedstructuredplayandphysicaloutlet
opportunitiesespeciallydowntown.
Ifwehadthefields,ourcoacheswouldnthavetospendalltheirtime
fightingforplayplaces,andmaybewecoulddomoreoutreachforyouth.
PlacesliketheRACandtheTumwaterfacilityaregreat,butwehavemany
undevelopedspacesinandaroundOlympia.Evenseeingbasketballatthe
ArtesianWellisapositivedirection.
Pleaseconsiderprioritizingsoccerfieldsinyourplanning.
ThankyouforallyoudoandHappyalmostHoliday.
AlexandraFallot
Pleaseconsiderincludingplansforanumberofsoccerfieldsinthe20year
email12/9/15
parksplanforOlympia.Thereisadireshortageofpracticefields,with
manyteamshavingtoshareafieldforpracticetime.Whilethisisnot
horribleforyoungerteams,whichplayonasmallerfield,itishardfor
teamsthatplayonafullsizedfieldtogetinagoodpractice.Theteams
wouldbenefitfromthechancetoscrimmageonafullfieldinordertoget
usedtothegameplayusingthefullsizeofthefield.Soccercontinestobe
agrowingsportintheareaandfailingtoplanforitsexpansionwillseverely
limitfuturesoccerintheOlympiaarea.
54
Diana&Duncan
Olympiaisasoccercity.Ourgranddaughterhasplayedforyearsandloves
MacQuarrieemail itsodowe!Keepoursoccerfieldsinyourplanningforcityparks.Thank
12/9/15
you!
MillardS.Deusen AlthoughnotaresidentofOlympiamygranddaughterparticipatesin
email12/10/15
OlympiaYouthSoccerandthusreliesonsoccerfieldsintheOlympiaarea
forhergames.Pleasebesuretoconsidersoccerfields,inparkexpansion
andinparkmaintenance,bothofwhichareimportantaspectsneededfor
youthsoccer.Thankyou,
MollyMcGinty
Ijustwantedtoweighinontheparksproposal.Soccerfieldsareinhuge
email12/9/15
demandanditseemsasifthereareneverenoughtoaccommodate
demand.Asafamilyphysician,youthsoccercoachandadultcorecsoccer
player,Iknowtheimportanceofteamsportsforyouthandadults.Our
communityshouldbesupportingyouthandadultteamsports,including
soccer.Afinancialcommitmenttosupportourlocalsoccerclubswould
allowforfieldmaintenanceandcreationofmuchneededadditionalfields.
Thanksforyourtime,
MeganGerman
Ijustwantedtoletyouknowthatitisveryimportantforourkidsinthe
email12/9/15
Olympiacommunitytohaveaccesstosoccerfields.Mysonanddaughter
loveplayinganditwouldbesosadtoseethesportsufferbecauseoflack
ofaccesstofields.Ihopeyouwilltakethisintoconsiderationasyouplan
fornextyear.
KimTovaniemail Olympianeedssoccerfields.Oursonplayedwhenhewasyoungerandour
12/10/15
daughtercurrentlyplayssoccer.Thesportofsoccercontinuestobecome
moreandmorepopularandweneedenoughfieldstohostpractices,as
wellas,games.Thanksforyourtimeandcarefulconsiderationofthis
need.
CarlaBorgaard
IamtheClubManagerofOlympiaUnitedSoccerClub(OUSC)andthe
email12/10/15
parentof3childrenthathaveplayedsoccerwithOUSCandhaveorare
currentlyattendingschoolintheOlympiaSchoolDistrict.
OUSCcameintobeingin2009whenWestideSoccerClub(servingWest
Olympia)andOlympiaYouthSoccerClub(servingEastOlympia)
merged.Weareanonprofit,recreationsoccerclubthatservesyouth
soccerplayersages318yearsold.Westrivetokeepourfeeslowat$60
$75perseason.Inaddition,ourboardprovidesscholarshipstoevery
personthatrequestsinanefforttomakequalitysocceravailabletoall
families.
55
Inthe2015calendaryear,OUSChad2719playersparticipatingon246
teamsacrossthreeseasonsofplay.Themajorityoftheseplayersresidein
OlympiaandattendOlympiaDistrictschools.Infallof2015,OUSC
registered1126playersonto107teams.Ofthese,1045(92.8%)listed
theiraddressasresidinginthecityofOlympiaand/orattendingOSD
schools.
Ourprogramhassteadilygrownoverthepast9years(seeattachedchart)
andwearefeelingthepressureofinadequatefieldspace.Asyouknow,
theCityofOlympiadoesnotmaintainonesingledesignatedsoccerfieldin
itsinventory.Weare100%dependentonschoolfieldstorunour
program.Wecompetewithschoolprogramsandotheryouthprograms
forpracticespace.Schoolprogramshavepriorityonfieldsandtheir
schedulesareoftensubjecttochangesandrescheduleswhichcauseour
teamstobebumpedoftenwithlittleornonotice.Inaddition,school
fieldsarenotmaintainedatthesamelevelascityfieldssoareinmuch
roughershape.
Istronglyurgeyoutoconsidertheinstallationoflarge,rectangularpatches
ofgrassintheparkplan.Withthepopularityofsoccerontheriseacross
thenation,wecontinuetoseegreaterinterestandlargernumbersof
playersregisteringtoplay.Ourprogramhascompletelymaxedoutthe
spaceavailabletousandwehavebeenforcedtosecurespacein
TumwaterandLaceytoaccommodateOlympiateams.Withtheaddition
ofsoccerfieldsintheCityofOlympia,wewouldbebetterabletomeet
futuredemandanditwouldgiveussomeflexibilitytorunourprograma
littlegreenerbykeepingfamiliesclosertohome.
AngieWarner
Reinemail
12/11/15
Thankyouforallowingustoprovidefeedbackandforyourconsideration
ofathleticfieldstomeetthecurrentandfutureneedsoftheresidentsof
theCityofOlympia.
Pleaseplanforanddevelopmore"dedicated"soccerfieldsforSpringand
Fallyouthsoccerpracticesandgames.Thisisaverypopularsportin
ThurstonCountythatmanyfamiliesparticipateinduringtheweekand
weekends.Consideringthelackofspacecurrentlyandtheincreasein
futurepopulationgrowthtothisarea,thiswouldbeavaluablecommunity
assetforouryouth'shealth,physical,emotionalandsocial.Thisisamajor
communitybuildingsportthatwholefamiliesattendduringmuchofthe
year.Outdoorlightingwouldbeabonus.
Iamaparentoftwosoccerplayersandonefamilyamonghundredsthat
wouldvalueincreasedsoccerfieldsspacethatareclosetoschools,closeto
56
GaryBurrisemail
12/11/15
Olympia'scoreifpossible,wellmaintainedandwellorganizedinit's
calendaruse.
Havingcoachedprobably40youthsoccerteamsoverthelast15yearsand
beinganadultplayerforthelast35yearsinOlympia,Iwouldliketovoice
mysupportforadditionalsoccerfieldsasoutlinedintheplanand
encourageyoutoexpandonwhatisintheplan.Thereisatremendous
needandmassiveovercrowdingonthecurrentlyavailablespace.
Manythousandsofchildrenareplayingyouthsoccerandmanyhundreds
ofadultsplayaswell.OnanySatuday,MarchthroughOctober,youwill
findliterallythousandsofkidsplaying.AtLBAtherewillbetwomorning
timeslots,with14minifieldsbeingusedbyteamswitharound8kidseach.
That'sjusttheSuperMod4to7yearolds.Theolderkidsareplayingon
everyotheravailablefieldaroundthecounty.Foradults,theonlylit
WinteroptioninOlympiahasbeenYaugerField.Ihaven'tpersonally
playedthereinmanyyears,whenIstoppedplayingthere,however,the
conditionofthosefieldswasawful.Duringtherainyseason,ifyouranonto
thebaseballinfield,youwereankledeepinmud.
There'salackofspaceforolderkidsaswell.WhenI'vecoached
elementaryagekids,wealwayshavetosharefields.Typically,at
WashingtonMiddleSchool,therearefour10to12yearoldteamsusing
theonesoccerfieldandthesurroundgrassareas.Inthefieldbehind
Pioneerelementary,nexttoOlympiaHighSchool,therearetypicallythree
tofourteamspracticingatthesametime.Notonlydoesthelackofafull
fieldlimitthetypesofgamesanddrillsthatcanbedone,italsolimitsthe
runningtoshorterdistances.
Anotherconcernisthatwithsofewfields,thefieldsgetgreaterwearthan
iftherewerefewerplayersoneachfieldeachday.Alloftheschoolfields
areinbadconditionduetooveruse.TheBlackHillsSoccerClubisamajor
assettothechildrenofThursonCounty.However,theirfieldsarealso
drasticallyoverusedanditisshowingintheconditionoftheturf.
Ihopetheplanstoaddfieldscanbeputonafasttrackandadditional
fieldswillbeaddedtothosecurrentlyintheplan.Fouradditionalfieldswill
beagreathelp,butthatwillonlypartiallyaddressneed.Iliketheideaof
havingfourfieldstogetherforthepurposeoftournamentsandother
gatherings.I'dalsorecommendaddingadditionalfieldsinpartsofthecity
awayfromwherethislargecomplexissited.Thisalsoprovidestheadded
benefitofreducingthecommuntesforparentsdrivingkidstopractices,as
theyoungerteamsaregroupedbyelementaryschoolsandregions.
57
GuyBowman
email12/10/15
CandiceBock
President
OlympiaUnited
SoccerClub
Email12/10/15
Thankyouforyourworkonthisproject.Irecognizetherearemany
competingneedsandtheprioritizationprocessisdifficult.
Regards,
IwouldliketoexpressmyconcernanddesirethattheOlympiaParksplan
includesseveralareasforsoccerfieldsforourkids.Iamacoachforoneof
thelocalkidsrecreationalleagueteamsinOlympiaandHavetwokidswho
play.Icansaythatourfields(totheextentwehaveany)arequite
substandard,especiallywhencomparedtothefacilitiesavailableinLacey,
andtoalesserextentTumwater.
Laceyhasnumerousfieldsavailableforsoccer(rainiervista,RAC,etc.)and
Tumwaterhaspioneerpark.EvenYelmhasbetterfacilitiesavailable.In
Olympia,wehavenothing.
Wepracticeatthelocalschools,wherewecanbesqueezedinamongst
otherschoolactivities.Oftenwearebumpedoffofthefields.Andwe
haveNOWHEREtoplayhomegamesinOlympia.Wealwayshaveroad
games,luckilyotherplaceslikeLaceyandTumwatercanaccommodatethis
fornow.Butthatwouldlookchangeastheareagrows.
Inshort,thekidsandfamiliesofOlympiadeservetohavedecentsoccer
facilitiesinOlympia.Anynewparksproposalsshouldprovideforseveral
soccerfields.Thisisthemostpopulargameforkidsandadultsaliketo
play,andweshouldbeabletodothathereinOlympia.
Thankyouforyourtimeandconsideration.
OnbehalfofOlympiaUnitedSoccerClub,thankyoufortheopportunityto
commentontheplan.
OlympiaUnitedsmissionistopromoteactiveplayforkidsfrom3through
highschoolinasafe,funenvironmentwithastrongfocuson
sportsmanship.Tothatendwearefundedbymodestplayerregistrations
feesandofferscholarshipstoanyoneinneed.Olympiaisathrivingsoccer
community.SoccerspopularitycontinuestogrowandOlympiaUnited
SoccerClubcontinuestoexperiencegrowthespeciallyinourSuperMod
programforkidsages3through7.DuringthecurrentFallseasonOlympia
Unitedwillhave60youthteamsand40SuperModteams.Unfortunately,
therearenosuitablesportsfieldswithinOlympiatohosthomegamesfor
our60U8andupteams.Ourteamshavetoplayalloftheirgameson
fieldsoutsideofOlympia.Weevenstruggletofindsuitablepracticefields
inthecommunity.Manyofourparksandschoolsdonothavefieldsthat
areinadequateconditionforpractices.Forthosethatdothereis
58
ScottCarte
Email12/10/15
KevinRigg
OlySpeaks
12/11/15
1Vote
OPARD:
significantcompetitionfromothersports.TheOUSCBoardisconcerned
thatinthenearfuturewemayhavetoturnchildrenawaybecausewe
simplylackthefieldstoaccommodatealloftheteams.
Olympianeedstoimproveoursportsfieldsandaddfieldcapacitytomeet
thegrowingdemandforoutdoorrecreationandserveourcommunityinto
thefuture.
Thankyouforyourworkontheplanandwelookforwardtoourcontinued
partnership.
Iunderstandyouarecollectingpubliccommentregardingfuturepark
enhancementsfortheCityofOlympia.Asaparentandvolunteercoach
formultipleyouthsportsleaguesI'dliketoencouragetheCityofOlympia
toinvestinadditionalyearroundballfieldsforareayouthto
utilize.SpecificallyI'dliketoseeadditionalbaseball/softballandsoccer
fieldsconstructed.Youthsportsleaguesfightacontinualbattletofind
adequatefacilitiesforourteamstouseforpracticesandgames.Too
often,leaguesareforcedtolimitthenumberofpracticesandgamesthat
ourkidscanparticipateinduetothelimitednumberofwellmaintained
fieldsinthearea.Thisisanareawheredemanddefinitelyexceedsthe
supply.Pleaseconsiderincreasingtheinventoryofyearroundballfields
asyoumoveforwardwiththeplanningprocess.
InadditiontoactingasavolunteercoachIalsoserveasaboardmember
forCapitolLittleLeaguesofeelfreetocontactmeifyouhaveanyfollow
upquestionsrelatingtoourexperiencewiththelocalfieldinventory.
Thankyouforyourtime,
YearRoundSoccerFields!
Thedemandisclearlythereasanyoneinvolvedinalocalsportsleague
knowsbasedonhowdifficultitistosecurefieldsforpracticesandgames
onayearroundbasis.ThisisahugeneedrightNOWandwouldbeagreat
waytoserveourcommunity.
StaffisincompleteagreementthatOlympiahasashortageof
soccer/rectangularfields.P.68ofthereviseddraftPlannotesthatthere
arenodedicatedsoccer/footballfieldsinanyOlympiaparksandthatto
meettodaysexistingdemand,fourdedicatedrectangularfieldswould
needtobeaddedtotheinventory.Proposedchange(p.88):Proposed
Action:Theplanbudgets$580,000in2017forupgradestoexisting
athleticfields.Theplanbudgets$300,000in2018foranathleticfieldpark
59
designand$1million$900,000forphase1developmentin201921.The
PlansCapitalInvestmentStrategyidentifies$5millioninMPDfundsin
20172021tosupportahighpriorityproject.SoccerFieldsareoneoffour
projectsidentifiedasahighpriorityprojecttoutilizethesefunds.The
PlansLongRangeOptions(20222035)sectionoftheCapitalInvestment
Strategybudgets$3.5millionin20222035foranathleticparkPhase2
developmentprojectincludinglit,syntheticturffieldsand$700,000for
upgradestoexistingfields.
RegardingKettleViewParkDrainageIssues:ProposedchangetotheKettle
ViewParksectiononp.76This4.8acre neighborhoodparkwasopened
in2011andisinexcellentconditionexceptforsomedrainageproblemson
theplayfield.Staffwillassesswhatitwouldtaketoimprovetheplayfield.
Proposed Action: Prior funds have been allocated for a bike shelter and
interpretive signage. If time and resources allow, maintenance staff will
implement drainage improvements to the field.
Regardingconcernsaboutthesafetyofcrumbrubberinsyntheticturf
fields:Staffisindeedawareoftheconcernsthathavebeenraisedabout
crumbrubberinsyntheticturffields.Therearenaturalalternativesto
crumbrubberthatcanbeusedforsyntheticfieldsandwewilllookinto
whatouroptionswouldbeshouldwebuildasyntheticturffieldatsome
point.
5.Arts12Comments+100Votes
AndrewGoldstein
OlySpeaks
12/7/15
12votes
Wherearethearts?
ThoughIappreciateandunderstandtheneedsthatourbeautifulOlympia
parkshave,theArtsareseverelylackinginthisplan.TheOlympiaArts
Commissionhasdonewonderfulworkunitingthelocalartscommunity,
butthereisadireneedsformoreartsspacesinthisregion.
VenuesliketheWashingtonCenterareoverbooked,andtherearen'tmany
otheroptionsforflexibleperformance/theaterspaces.Neworganizations,
especially,haveahardtimebringnewartstoOlympiabecauseofthislack
ofavailablespace.Ifwewanttoseegrowthinourperforming(andvisual)
artssectors,weneedmorespace.
Withmoreperformancespacecomesthepotentialformoreinter
organizationalcollaboration.Theaterlobbiescandoubleasvisualart
galleriesanddisplayspaces.Italsoopenstheopportunityformore
organizationstoofferartsbasededucationalopportunitiestothe
communitylikeclasses,workshops,schoolpartnerships,etc.Alsowith
60
moreperformancesorartexhibitionscomesmoreopportunityforlocal
business.Thinkoftherestaurants,bars,andcoffeeshopsthatbenefitwhen
thereisanarts&cultureeventindowntownOlympia.
Lookattheartsspaceavailabilityofthecitiesaroundus.Tacomahas
dozensoftheatersforonlyabout3xthepopulationsize.Seattle,though
muchbiggerinsize,hasthousandsofperformanceandartspaces.Their
OfficeofArts&Culturewasabletocreateanonlinetoolforartistscalled
SpaceFinder,whichconnectslocalartswithavailableartsspaces.
IftheartsinOlympiaaretoexpandanyfurther,weneedmorespace!
StaceyWaterman RequestCitytoparticipateindiscussionaboutcommunityartspace
Hoey
OlySpeaks
Theplanappearstoneedmoredevelopmentaroundartingeneralbutthe
12/6/15
needforacommunityartspaceinparticular.
TheArbutusFolkSchoolisanonprofitfoundedin2013topromotethe
16votes
PacificNorthwestsregionalcraftculture,identityandeconomythrough
educationandcommunityevents.Thereisasignificantecologicallyand
sociallysustainableeconomicdevelopmentopportunitywhichcanbe
realizedthroughadvancingcrafteducationandtourism.Arbutushas
successfulpartnershipswithotherorganizationsinneedofartspace,
includingKokuaServices,andwesupporttheworkoftheArtSpace
Alliance.Thecommunityiscoalescingaroundtheneedforanartspaceand
wewouldlikethecitytoparticipateinthedialogue.
SaraHolt
ArtsorganizationssuchasArbutusandProjectslikeHummingbirdStudio
OlySpeaks
andtheEarthboundProductions,ProcessionCommunityArtStudioarethe
Responseto
thingsthatfeedandnurtureourcommunitiesloveofartandmakeourCity
comment
Art'sWalkssuchasuccess.
BobbiChase
An"artculture"intheareaisanotherimportantwaytoengagein
OlySpeaks
communityactivitiesandeducationespeciallyforadults(onethatdoesn't
Responseto
necessarilyinvolvegoingtorestaurantsandshoppingalthoughthatisa
comment
nicesidebenefit).Inaddition,themore"developed"itbecomes,itoffers
connectionstooutsidecommunitiesandopportunitiesforamuchlarger
network.AndthereisSOmuchtalentinthearea,aresourcewedon'thave
tobuy!
Susan
TheArbutusFolkSchool,ArtSpaceAlliance,Kokua,TheProcessionofthe
Ahlschwede
Species,theCityofOlympiaAllneedspace.Ihopethatthese
OlySpeaks
organizationssitdownanddevelopaplanformovingtowardsa
Responseto
communityartfacility.Ofcourse,thereareotherartsorganizationsthat
comment
couldbeapartofthisconversation.
MonicaGockel
CommunityArtStudio
OlySpeaks
61
12/1/15
14votes
MariellaLuzemail
12/7/15
SusanChristian
email12/2/15
IwouldloveforOlympiatohaveayearroundcommunityartstudiolike
theoneforProcessionoftheSpecies.Withclasses!
IattendedthepresentationlastweekattheOlympiaCenterontheCity's
planforParks,ArtsandRecreation.IwouldliketosecondKrisTucker's
commentsthatthereshouldbemoreemphasisonthe"Arts"partofthe
plan.Itseemstomethatthecurrentplanforthenext6yearsisalmost
exclusivelyfocusedonparks,theonlyspecificartplanwastohiresomeone
tomaintainexistingworks.Nothingnewdedicatedtoartfunding.Please
considersupportingmoreartsfundingandplanningforourcommunity.
Towhomitmayconcernandthatshouldmeaneveryone!
Inplanningforthefuture,Olympianeedsdesperatelytoprovidephysical
spaceforthearts.Sincetheperformingartshavebeenhousedinthe
WashingtonCenter,lifeinourpatheticstatecapitolhaveimproved
mightily.Couldthisserveasanexampletoourplanners?
I'velivedherefor40years.I'manartist.I'vealwaysshownmyworkat
Childhood'sEndGallery,whichIlove.Itisagiftshopwhichsupportsa
nonprofitablegalleryspacebecausetheownersbelieveweshouldsee
nongiftseriousvisualart.Theylosemoneyonthegallery.Theysupportit
bysellingbeautifuldecorativeobjects.
Therearetwo(2)othergalleriesinOlympia.Oneissupportedbyitsframe
shop.Ialsoownagallery,SalonRefu.Don'tlookforawebsite;Ican't
affordtopaysomeonetobuildmeone.Isupportthisgalleryonmyown
dime.Ishowseriousart;Idon'tsellframingservices,Idon'tsellgift
items.Itakeatinycommissiononworksold.Inagrownupcity,Iwould
beabletopaymyexpensesfromsales.
Olympia'svibrantmusicsceneissupportedbybarsandcafes.Thevisual
artssceneissupportedbyalmostnothing.Forexample,theWashington
Centerwelcomesvisualartiststoshowtheirworkinthelobbies,butno
onecangetintheretolookatitunlesstheybuyaticketfora
performance.Thisprecludesviewingbyagreatmanycitizens.
Wehavevisualartistshere,andmanyofthemareexcellent.They'rehere
becausetheyhavejobshereandbecausehousingischeap.Notbecause
thecommunityissupportive.Itisn't.
Weneedhousingforartists;weneedagatheringplaceforartists;weneed
62
LilaAdams
OlySpeaks
11/21/15
14votes
JJL
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
KrisGoddard
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
MariaRuth
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
JeanMandeberg
email12/10/15
KrisTucker,Chair
placesforartiststoshowtheirworkwherenonartistswillenjoy
themselvesandlearnsomething.
Wecandobetter.Notthathard.Let'sdoit.
WherestheArtsintheplan?
I'mnewtoOlympia.Afteraquicklookattheplan,Idonotseemuch"Arts"
listedassuggestions.Aretherealreadyplacestogotolearntodraw,paint,
dopottery,etc.inthecity?Ifnot,Iwouldliketoseeanartscentertypeof
placeadded.Ifthatalreadyexists,I'dlovetoparticipate,sopleaseinform
me.
TheOlympiaCenterhasmanyclassesforexampleIdoceramicsdown
there,andthereispainting,andallmannerofartsofferings.Catalogscome
out3timesayear,Ibelieve,maybe4....withtheofferings,andyoucanalso
seethemonline.AlsothecitiesofLaceyandTumwatereachhavetheir
owncatalogsandseries.
Nothingwrongwithourcurrentregularofferings,butIwouldsuggest
formationofanadhocartscommitteeoflocalartisteswhomighthave
somenew,excitingandevenincomegeneratingideasforprogram
expansion.
Thebudgetshouldincludeseveralcansofexteriorpainttoemblazon
"OLYMPIACENTER"ontheOlympiaCenterBuildingtopflooronboth
sidesofthestreet.Thelowsidewalklevelsignsarenoteasytospotwhen
youaredrivingpast(theyareblockedbyparkedcars).Rightnow,the
OlympiaCenterjustlookslikeanothernondescriptstategovernment
building.
Iamwritingtorespondtothedraftplanasaformermemberofthe
OlympiaArtsCommission,formerchairoftheWashingtonStateArts
Commission,visualartfacultyatTheEvergreenStateCollege,andlocal
artist.
Myquestion:WhereistheARTintheParks,Arts,andRecreationPlan??
Mysuggestion:makeanArtsCenterahigherpriorityintheParks,Arts,
andRecreationPlan.MovethefundingforanArtsCentertothefirstsix
yearsofthenextplan.Olympiacallsitselfanartstownbutmanylocal
artistsfeeldiscouragedandneglectedmanynewresidents,eagerto
movedowntown,arelookingforaculturallifethatwillrequirethecityto
paymoreattentiontothevisual,performing,andliteraryartsinour
community.Thanks!
PleaseseetheattachedletterfromtheboardoftheOlympiaArtspace
63
OlympiaArtspace Alliance.
Allianceemail
Asamusicianandperformer,weknowthatyouvalueandunderstandthe
12/11/15
abilityoftheartstoenhanceandfacilitatebroadergoals.Justasyoursong
deliveredanexclamationpointtotheneedforpubliccommentaboutthe
draft2016OlympiaParks,Arts&RecreationDepartmentPlan,artssupport
willcontributetothecitysbroadereconomicandcommunitygoals
identifiedinitsComprehensivePlanandMunicipalArtsPlan.
The2016Parks,ArtsandRecreationPlanshouldstrengthentheCityof
Olympiassupportforthearts.
OlympiaArtspaceAlliance(OAA)appreciatesthecitysefforttocrafta20
yearstrategyforparks,arts&recreationinthe2016planandendorses
policiesintheplanthatgivecitysupportforaffordablehousingand
studio/rehearsalspaceforartists.
OAAseekschangesintheplantoclarifythecitysvisionfortheartsinour
communityandmakeprogresstowardsthecityslongstandinggoalof
realizinganartscenter.
AnartcenterisimportanttoOlympiasfuture.Thecityshouldbepartof
acollaborativeefforttomakethisareality.
OlympiaArtspaceAllianceencouragesPARstafftoexpandonafewkey
pointsinthedraftplantoinitiatefuturediscussionandactionabouthow
theartscanbesupportedandhowtheartscansupportbroadercitygoals.
Specifically,werequestthattheplanincludelanguagethatmakesa
partnershipbetweenthecityandOAAmoreconcrete,andanticipatescity
leadershipandparticipationincollaborativeeffortstoaddressfacility
needsofartistsandartsorganizations.
WesuggestthattheArtsCentersection(page90)includemorespecifics
fromthe2007MarketandFeasibilityAnalysisforaCommunityArts
Center,includingtheconstructioncostsandprojectedoperatingbudget.
OAAalsorecommendsthattheplanmovefundingforanartscentertothe
firstsixyearsofthisplan(20162022).
Inaddition,OAArecommendsthattheCityaddonestaffperson(1.0FTE
additional)toensurethegoalsandpoliciesofthisplancanberealized.
OlympiaArtspaceAlliancehasbeenworkingformorethanfiveyearsto
buildaffordablespacesfortheartsinOlympiaand,withcitysupport,will
advancethecitysartsgoals.Weneedthecityscontinuedsupporttomeet
thefacilityneedsofourartscommunityandtheplanprovidesatimelyand
appropriateavenueforthissupport.
Ourorganizationisledbyapassionateanddedicatedgroupofvolunteers
withbroadcommunitysupport.OAAhasresourcestosharewiththecity
effort,includingdatafromour20132014surveyofartistsandcreative
sectororganizations,andour2015feasibilitystudyaswellasanecdotal
evidenceofartistsandartsorganizationsneeds,andaboutartsfacilities
64
RonHinton
OlySpeaks
12/11/15
3Votes
inothercommunities.
OnbehalfoftheOlympiaArtspaceAllianceBoardofDirectors,Iwantto
thankyouforyourwillingnesstoacceptinputandrecommendationstothe
draftplanandforthecityscontinuingpartnershipinrealizinganarts
centerindowntownOlympiaasthecurrent,andfuture,plansare
implemented.
Sincerely,
NeedforMultiuseArtsFacility
WhatagreattimetoliveinOlympiasomanypositivethingsare
happeningthatcanshapeourfutureforyearstocome.Becauseofthe
hardworkofsomany,theLBAParkisbecomingareality,andrevenueis
availableforfuturegrowthlaidoutbythenewParksPlan.TheDowntown
Strategyisonitsway,andtheCouncilhasestablishedaCommunity
RenewalArea(CRA)process.Allofthiscouldnothavehappenedwithouta
hugecommitmentfromtheCityanditscitizens.
Nowsthetimetoworktogetherwithallthesetoolstogetthemostoutof
them.
IdliketoseetheOPARDPlanstrengthentheCityssupportforthearts.
ThecurrentPlanshouldbetterclarifytheCitysvisionfortheartsinour
community,whichwillhelpmakeprogresstowardstheCityslongstanding
goalofrealizinganartscenter.
Ascitieshaveshownfordecades,theArtsareaneconomicdriveranda
catalystforurbandevelopmentandrenewal.WiththeCRAprocessin
place,thedowntownstrategyhappening,andtheCouncilsfocusonthe
downtowncore,itseemsappropriatetomovetheArtCenterProjectinthe
CapitalInvestmentStrategyfrom20222035tothe20162021timeframe.
Inaddition,theCapitalInvestmentStrategyliststheArtCenterProjectat
only$1.5million.However,theCitysownArtCenterstudyconductedin
March2007showedacostof$10million.
Largeandsmallartsorganizationsacrossthecommunityhaveexpresseda
needforamultiuseartsfacility,andastudycommissionedbytheOlympia
ArtspaceAlliancequantifiedthatthisneedgoesbeyondorganizationsto
includeindividualartistsaswell.
Weneedtoactasacommunityassoonaspossibletogetamultiuse
facilityfortheArtsupandrunning.
65
Susan
Ahlschwede
OlySpeaks
12/11/15
13votes
TheOlympiaareaneedsacommunityartcenter
ChrisHawkins
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
Agreewiththisandpreviouscommentersthatamultipurposeartfacility
wouldbeagreatadditiontoOlympia.WhattheCityhasdonewiththe
OlympiaCenterandPercivalplinthsinrecentyearsisgreat,theplansgoals
(inG8onp.58oftheDraftPlan)acknowledgethisaspiration,andthe
discussiononp.90isalsogood.Ithinkthiscommentbringsforwardthe
importantpartnershipsthattheCityshouldmentionintheplanandshould
engageintheneartermtomakeanartscenterrealizable.thediscussion
shouldencompasssupportofaProcessionandotherartsstudioaswellas
liveworkhousingneedsofartists
KrisTucker
OlySpeaks
12/10/15
11votes
AnartcenterisimportanttoOlympiasfuture.Thecityshouldbepartof
acollaborativeefforttomakethisareality
Susan
Ahlschwede
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
IstronglyagreewithKristhatfundingforanArtsCenterbemovedtothe
first6yearsofthisPlan
Therearesomanyartsorganizationsthatneedspacefortheirprograms.I
hopetheCityofOlympiawillparticipateinaconversationwithgroupssuch
asArbutusFolkschool,ArtSpaceAlliance,Kokua,theProcessionofthe
species,etc.toplananartcenterthatmeetstheneedsofthecommunity.
OlympiaArtspaceAllianceencouragesPARstafftoexpandonafewkey
pointsinthedraftplantoinitiatefuturediscussionandactionabouthow
theartscanbesupportedandhowtheartscansupportbroadercitygoals.
The"artcenter"section(page90)shouldincludemorespecificsfromthe
2007CommunityArtCenterstudy,includingconstructioncostsand
projectedoperatingbudget.OlympiaArtspaceAlliancehasbeenworking
since2011tobuildaffordablespaceforartistsandthearts,andhas
resourcestosharewiththecity,includingdatafromour20132014survey
orartistsandcreativesectororganizations,andour2015feasibilitystudy
aswellasanecdotalevidenceoftheneedsofartistsandartsorganizations,
andartsfacilitiesinothercommunities.Werecommendthattheplan
movefundingforanartscentertothefirstsixyearsofthisplan.Wealso
recommendthattheCityaddastaffperson(1.0FTE)toensurethearts
goalsandpoliciescanberealized.
66
JoyceMercuri
OlySpeaks
12/9/15
17votes
SueLean
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
SupporttheProcessionandotherhomegrownfestivals
WesooftenseetheProcessionoftheSpeciesmentionedininformation
aboutOlympiaartsandparksandourcity'suniqueculture.Therefore,I
thinktheparksplanshouldbemorespecificaboutmaterialsupportofthe
Procession,artstudio,andothergrassrootscommunityfestivalslikelove
ourlocalandothers(butespeciallytheProcession).Anexamplemightbe
citysupportandcollaborationwithputtingupthebatikbannersthatused
tobeputondowntownlightpolesduringprocessionweek.Ialsowantto
voicemysupportforhavingthedowntownstrategyandrenewalarea
processbecoordinatedwithanyplanningfortheisthmusproperties
theseneedtobethoughtabouttogetherandacoordinatedapproach
developed.Ingeneral,Iwouldliketoseethecitytakeextrameasuresto
provideinformationtothepublicabouttheactivitiesandplansforboth
therenewalareaandtheithsmus.Perhapsconsiderusingsomeofthe
neighborhoodblogsjusttokeeppeoplepostedastowhatisgoingon.
OlympiaParksDepartmentPleaserestoretheIsthmusParkasahigh
priorityproject.PleaserestorethepurchaseandremovaloftheCapitol
CenterBuildingtothenewParksPlanDraft,astheyareinthecurrent
ParksPlan.
Iamconcernedaboutthischangeandurgeyoutokeeptheisthmusatop
priority.Viewblockingbuildingsonthisland,vulnerabletobothsealevel
riseandliquefaction,wouldrepresentpoorplanningandbecontraryto
overwhelmingpublicopposition.Possiblefuturedevelopmentshouldnot
"inform"theparksplan.
IwouldalsoencourageyoutopurchasethelandnearWatershedParkto
accommodateusebyvisitorsstayingatthenewhotelssoontobefinished
nearby.Watershedisjustfarenoughawaythattouristsarelikelytodrive
thereandthendriveontowhereverelsetheyaregoing.Citizensworked
hardtogetfundingforparksinordertopurchaselandwhileitisavailable
andthisseemslikesensiblepreplanningbeforeovercrowdingoccursin
thisarea.
Withbestwishes,SueLean
OPARD
ProposedchangetoArtsCentersectiononp.89:ProposedAction:The
PlansCapitalInvestmentStrategyidentifies$5millioninMPDfundsin
20172021tosupportahighpriorityproject.AnArtsCenterisoneoffour
projectsidentifiedasahighpriorityprojecttoutilizethesefunds.
67
6.BATHROOMSANDSHOWERS 1Comment+32OlySpeaksVotes
SfirahMadrone
OlySpeaks
12/29/15
32votes
OPARD
Pleasehavemorebathroomsandshowerfacilitiesavailableforour
homelessneighbors.
OPARDdoesexpendasignificantamountofitsmaintenanceresources
cleaning,maintaining,andmanagingrestroomsinourparks.These
restroomsareavailabletoeveryone.
7.PARKNAMES1Comment+29OlySpeaksVotes
SfirahMadrone
OlySpeaks
12/29/15
29votes
OPARD
Pleasechangethenamesofparkstotheoriginalnamesgivenbythe
SquaxinandNisqually.
Thankyouforthesuggestion.WhenevertheCityCouncilnamesanew
park,thereisalwaysapublicinputprocesstosuggestnames.Thatwould
beagreattimetosuggestaSquaxinorNisquallyname.
8.WESTBAYPARKANDTRAIL 4Comments+19Votes
JacobKostecka
email
11/23/15
MyonlycommentisthatIwouldlovetoseeacompletionoftheRotary
PointParkonthewestsidewithawalkingpathallthewayto
downtown.Thanks.
PhilWeigand
email11/19/15
Congratulationstoallonthesuccessfulpublicacceptanceofthenew
MetropolitanParksDistrict.Ihaveonestrongapprehensionthatthe
revenuesraisedwillbeusedforothernonparkitemsasthewhimsand
needsofthecitycouncilvarywithtime,muchliketheutilitytaxrevenues
havebeenraidedfornonparksandsidewalkimprovements.
IntheExecutiveSummaryofthePlan,oneoftheninebulletitemslistedin
theParkDevelopmentsectiononpage6listsWestBayParkandTrail
Phase2asasubstantialparkdevelopmentproject.Canyoutellmewhere
thisitemfallsonaprioritybasis?Thisitemhasbeenlistedinseveralprior
parkplanningdocumentsbuthasfailedtobegintobeseriouslyacted
upon.
AfterrealizingthatPhase2ofWestBayParkbecomingareality(withthe
longrangeproposaltodeveloptheparkin20222035)Ihavesurmisedthat
theparkwillnotbecomearealityduringthefirstquartercenturyof
2015.WhileIhavebeendiscussingwithyouandyourfellowParksleaders
andstaffformorethan15yearsthedevelopmentofWestBayPark,it
PhilWeigand
email
11/20/15
68
ChrisStrode
OlySpeaks
11/21/15
19votes
LukeNoble
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
LarryLeveen
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
KarenMessmer
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
JanaeHuber
OIySpeaks
Responseto
comment
OPARD:
seemstomethatthereisnorealisticexpectationthattheparkwillbe
developedinthenextdecade.Infutility,Ishallstopbotheringyouand
yourcolleaguesandleaveittoothercitizenstofollowup.
ConnectingCapitolLaketoWestBayPark
WestBayParkconnectingtoCapitolLakewillbeaphenomenaladditionto
Olympiasparks.PerhapsalargesoccerfieldonWestBayParkwithviews
oftheSoundandtheshipyardtoo?
IthinkthelotnorthoftheoldBrownMinneapolisTanksitewouldbea
greatspottoputalitturfsoccerfield.Itwouldgetalotofuse.Thereare
notenoughfieldsintheareaforeveryonetoplaywhowantto.Mostfolks
wholiveinOlympiahavetocommutetoHawksPrairieforagoodpartof
theyear.Itwouldbringanumberoffolksfromthesurroundingcountyinto
townregularlywithnewrevenueforneighboringanddowntown
businesses.
Connectatrailallthewayfrom5thtoWestBayMarinaandhaveitbe
wideenoughforbicyclistsandpedestrians.Atrailintodowntownfrom
WestBayMarinamayencouragemorefolkslivingtheretobikeorwalk
intotownratherthendrive.Itcouldalsobecomeapartofanew
commutingcorridorforcyclistsheadeddowntownfromtheWestside.
Wecouldalsorunanewtraildowntothefieldalongthegreenbeltoffthe
endofeitherDickinsonorHays.Itwouldmakeforanewhillyrunningloop
whenpairedwiththeGarfieldnaturetrail.Couldevenpotentiallybuilda
trailallthewayfromBowmantoWestBayalongSchneiderCreekforan
evenlongerloop,thoughthismaybringupanumberofconcerns.
TheWestBayTrailhasbeenonthebooksforyears,itreceivedseveral
commentsinthisplanupdateprocess,andithasevenbeenvoteda
priorityatleastonceinCityCouncilretreats,yetnotmuchvisibleprogress
hasbeenmadetoconstructingit.Weneedtoelevateitandfindwaysto
workwiththenecessarypartnerstomakereal,tangibleprogressonthis
veryimportantassettothecommunity.Itwillgetawholeothergroupof
folkstowalk/biketo/fromtheWestsideanddowntown.COMPLETETHE
WESTBAYTRAIL!Thanks.
DittowhatLarrysaysaboveaboutWestBayTrail.Thishasbeenapriority
formanyforalongtimeanditistimetocompletethetrailforcyclingand
walking.
I'dsaythesamethingfortheOlympiaWoodlandTrail.Ithasthepotential
tomeetbothrecreationandtransportationneedsoncecompleted.
TheCity,PortofOlympiaandSquaxinIslandTribearecurrentlyworking
69
withaconsultanttoconductanenvironmentalrestorationassessmentof
WestBaywhichincludesWestBayParkandTrailinthestudyarea.OPARD
intendstoresumethemasterplanningprocessfortheparkandtrailin
2016.Theplanthenbudgets$450,000forenvironmentalcleanupofWest
BayParkand$300,000forPhase2designin2017,$300,000forarestroom
in2020,andthePlansLongRangeOptions(20222035)sectionofthe
CapitalInvestmentStrategybudgets$5,000,000forPhase2development
in20222035.WhilethisputsfulldevelopmentofWestBayParkandTrail
outforseveralyears,itdoesprovideprogresstowardsthatgoal.ThePlan
proposesthatthemostexpensivedevelopmentprojects(suchasthis)
comelatertoallowforsubstantiallandacquisitioninthenextfewyears
whilethelandisstillavailable.
9.USEPARCELSPURCHASEDFORPARKLANDFORPARKSPLEASE1Comment+19Votes
Robert
Ahlschwede
OlySpeaks
12/9/15
19Votes
DonnaJ
Nickerson
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
RobAhlschwede
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
OPARD
WillthePlanningDepartmentalwaysbeabletooverridetheParkPlanand
"take"land/propertiespurchasedtoaddtotheparklandholdingsinableto
offerthosecityownedpropertiesfordevelopment?Mymindgoesfrom
theisthmustoLBAtoGrassLakeandbeyond.ThepropertiesonWater
Street,beingclearedasthisiswrittenisthebestexampletwobuildings
purchasedwiththeintentofaddingthatlandtotheFountain"Block"now
beingconsideredfordevelopment????Whyisthatplacereferredtoasthe
Fountain"Block"??
Iagree.Thisareaisanimportantpublicspace.Itallowsfantasticscenic
viewstotheSoundandOlympics,fromthepublicspacessurroundingthe
capitolcampus.AmajorityofOlympianshaveaskedforaparkinthisspace
anditsanaturaluseofthearea.Givenafutureofsealevelriseinour
lifetime,itwouldbeirresponsibletobuildinthis'parkblock'.Thearea
couldbeatrueassettoourcityifmadeintoaparkwhereallcouldenjoy
therecreationalandscenicbenefitsofanopenspaceplanthatwouldfit
intothesetting.
Furtherinformation:ThetwoparcelsonWaterStreetbeingclearedwere
bothpurchasedwithparkmonies.Thefirstwaspurchasedin1997tobe
includedintheFountainblockparkpurchasedwithParkimpactfeesplus
therentalpaymentsforthebuilding.Thesecondonewaspurchasedlater
toaddtothesamepark,usingtheVotedUtilityTaxmoniesplusrental
incomes.Andthisdemolitionisbeingcoveredbytherentalpayments.The
cityshouldnotturnbackonits"promise"ofincludingtheseparcelsinthe
FountainBlockpark.
Thankyouforyourcomments.
10.DOGPARKS3Comments+15OlySpeaksVotes
LeeRimmer
Thecityrecentlypresentedadraftplanforthecityparks.Igotocityparks
70
email
11/19/15
KateGormallye
mail11/24/15
JJL
OlySpeaks
11/24/15
15votes
OPARD
often.
Welovetheparks.Thankyouforyourwork.
Idonotsupportfundingforadogpark.Parkswithdogskeepusfrom
enjoyingthepark.Thedogsbarkandgrowl.Itgetsugly.Parkswithdogs
smell.Wecannotusetheseparks.Currently,peoplealreadytaketheir
dogsofftheleashatmostOly.cityparks.TheOly.ParksDept.doesnot
enforceleaselaws.Why?Yourdept.doesnothavethetimeormoney.We
donotneedadogpark,alloftheParksalreadyaredogparks.No
enforcementoflaws.
Stillthinkthedogparkresponseisweakbecausethelastdogparkbuilt
wassopopularitwasclosedandnorealplansareincludedformoredog
parks.Ithinkwithallourparksasuitableportionoflandcouldbe
dedicatedtoadogparkifseveralwereopenedthatwoulddecreasethe
traffictoanyonesite.InSeattlewherelandisverylimitedtheyhavebeen
abletoprovidedogparks.Forlotsofpeoplewholiveherethisiswhatwe
doforrecreationweplaywithourdogsoutside.
Dogpark
Olympianeedsanoffleashdogpark!Actually,itneedsmorethanone,but
mostfolkscan'ttruckouttoHawk'sPrairie,justtoruntheirdog.Isuggest
theCityownedpropertyatWardLakehasagreatareanearYelmHighway,
whichcouldberelativelyeasilyconverted...butCityseemstolackthewill,
despitealltherequests,andtheworkdoneonsitingadogpark.
Approximately40%ofOlympiaresidentsowndogs.Thecreationofanoff
leashdogareahasbeenoneofthemostoftrequestedparkamenitiesfor
manyyears.TheveryhighuseseenattheSunriseParkoffleashdogarea
demonstratedthepentupdemandforoffleashdogareasinOlympia.
OPARDbelievesthatifasuitablesiteinafuturecommunityparkcanbe
foundthatwouldhavelimitedimpactstoadjacentresidences,andoff
leashdogareacouldbebothhealthyfordogsandalsoanenjoyable
recreationalamenityfortheirowners.
11.OLYMPIAWOODLANDTRAIL/WATERSHEDPARK1Comment+16OlySpeaksVotes
Olympia
Wildwood
Neighborhood
Association
OIySpeaks
12/6/15
16votes
CompletetheOlympiaWoodlandTrailandPurchaseadditionalparking
forWatershedPark
ThedraftParksPlanmissestwocriticalopportunities:tocompletethe
OlympiaWoodlandTrailandpurchaseadditionalparkingforWatershed
Park.
TheOlympiaWoodlandTrailhasbeenlonginthemakingandhastwo
morephasesforitscompletion.ThedraftplanfundsonlyPhase3,and
71
MikeRuth
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
ChrisHawkins
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
OPARD
takes20yeartodothat(connectingcurrenttrailheadtoWatershedPark).
BynotfundingPhase4,Olympiansmisshavingatrailthatactsasboth
transportationandrecreation,connectingneighborhoodsfromOlympiato
LaceywithTumwaterHistoricalParkandthendowntown.
Inaddition,Lot4ofapropertyadjacenttotheHendersonroundaboutis
currentlyforsale.Thelotwouldmakeperfectoverflowparkingformuch
usedWatershedParkANDfortheOlympiaWoodlandTrail,ensuringthat
thereisausabletrailheadinsoutheastOlympia.
Weneedconnectivityforbikewaysandwalking.Onceyouhaveanetwork
oftrailsyougethugeuptakeonusageforbothtransportationand
recreation.I'mabikecommuterIgetmyhealthyexerciseonthewayto
andfromwork.Havingsafetrailsthatactuallyworkforpeoplegetting
frompointAtopointBrequiresattentiontoplanningconnectivity,
parking,andtrailheads.
AgreestronglywiththeWildwoodNeighborhoodcommentoncompleting
WoodlandTrailPhase3sooner.Havingsuchmultiusetrailsconnectto
moreneighborhoodsbringusclosertothewalkablecitytowardwhichwe
havelongaspired(atleastsinceadoptionoffirstComprehensivePlanin
1994)andremainsthevisionofourlongrangeplans.Soalsoagreeingwith
thecommentabove.
Theimpetusforthisisevenmoreacutenownotonlydosuchtrails,if
wellconnectedandcontinuous,increaselivabilityandrecreationand
efficientwaysoftravelingtoandthroughthecommunity,theyalso
increasecommunityhealth.Infact,trailsofthiskind(andmeasuresofthe
totallengthavailableintheCounty)arerecognizedaskeyindicatorsfor
thehealthofThurstonCounty.IencouragetheCitytoacceleratethe
completionofthislongplanned(mid1990s)urbantrail,notwaitingto
amassenoughlocalfundstodoitall,buttopursuelowhangingfruitof
connectionstoexistingstreets(HillsideandRowen),allowingWildwood
neighborstogettoWatershedParkmoreeasily,andrecreationor
transportationgrantsthatwouldhelpbuildPhase3andPhase4within
morelikethe510yeartimeframe.
ProposedadditionallanguagefortheOlympiaWoodlandTrailsectiononP.
86:Thefirsttwophasesofthetrailwerebuiltutilizingstrongpartnerships
withtheWoodlandTrailGreenwayAssociation,WashingtonDepartment
ofTransportation,andThurstonRegionalPlanningCouncil.TheCitywill
seektocontinueandexpandthesepartnershipsmovingforwardwith
Phases3and4.(Formoredetailedinformationonthistrailcorridor,seep.
341oftheThurstonRegionalTrailsPlan.)
ProposedAction:Thisplanbudgets$350,000in2018forPhase3design
andthePlansLongRangeOptions(20222035)sectionoftheCapital
InvestmentStrategybudgets$4.5millionforPhase3constructionin2022
2035.Theplanbudgets$5.3millionforopenspace/trailacquisitioninthe
72
LongRangeOptions(20222035)sectionoftheplan,someofwhich
couldbeutilizedforPhase3and/or4RightofWayacquisition.Theplan
budgets$5.3millionforopenspace/trailacquisitionintheLongRange
Options(20222035)sectionoftheplan,someofwhichcouldbeutilized
forPhase3and/or4RightofWayacquisition.TheCitywillpursue
partnershipsandgrantsforPhase4planningefforts.
RegardingLot4Staffisawareofthatparcelandwillevaluateitbasedon
thelandacquisitioncriteriaonp.89ofthePlan.
12.OPARDPRIORITIESFORHABITAT1COMMENT+11OlySpeaksVotes
DanielEinstein
OlySpeaks
12/11/15
11Votes
InaveryrealsensetheDeschutesEstuary/BuddInletecosystemtiesallof
Olympiasremainingandcompromisedhabittogether.Allofourstreams
drainintoeithertheDeschutesRiverorBuddInlet.Allviolatewaterquality
standardssetbythedepartmentofEcology.Ourremainingwoodlandsand
wetlandsarewatershedsforthesebodiesofwater.Allofthismatters
becausetheDeschutesCohopopulationisnowfunctionallyextincttwoout
ofeverythreeyears.Wecanchangethatandwemust.StateandFederal
lawrequiresit.
ThefactthattheParksPlanincludesacategoryforhabitatisprofoundly
importantforourCitysabilitytoredressthisissuebecauseitenables
OPARDtocompetitivelyapplyforstateandfederalfundsforhabitat
preservationforthefirsttimeinourcityshistory.Specifically,itwill
enabletheCitytoacquirekeypropertiesthatareimportanthabitatinand
ofthemselves,aswellaspropertiesthathaveimportantwaterquality
potentialwithrespecttoPugetSound.Thematchfortheseacquisitions
mustcomefromacombinationofMPDfundsandcommunitysupport.
Specifically,throughacombinationoffeesimpleacquisitionsand
conservationeasements,weshouldpreserveandrestoretheWestBay
WoodsandtheSchneiderCreekbasin,followthroughonthepurchaseof
thefirstparcelofLBAWoodsandKenLake,aswellasacquiringthesecond
parcelofLBAWoods,currentlynotunderconsideration,andweshould
moveforwardwiththeIsthmusPark,throughacombinationofregulation
andacquisition.TheIsthmusandWestBaytrailshouldconnectthrough
thewoodswithourNorthwestNeighborhood.
However,eventhisisnotenough.TheWestBayshorelinecurrently
undevelopedbutthreatenedbysealevelriseshouldnotbedeveloped
butratherrewildedtoestablishqualitysalmonhabitat.Weneedtobegin
tothinkabouthabitatnotjustasacresbutalsoasinterconnected
corridors.Weneedtobesmartaboutgrowthbothforthefutureofour
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environmentandforthefutureofoureconomy.Olympiacanbecomea
destinationknownforitsbalanceofurbangrowthandurbanwildlife.We
canbecometrulythegatewaytoPugetSound,theOlympicMountainsand
thePacificOcean.Togetthere,wemustmakestrategicacquisitionsnow.
Iwillbethefirsttotellyouthatthischallengecoupledwiththechallenges
ofsealevelriseandlegacycontaminationcannotbethesoleresponsibility
ofOPARD.Youmaybesurprisedtolearnthatverylittleofourcitys
stormwaterpassesthroughLott.IntheNWneighborhood,whereIlive,ALL
ofthestormwaterentersPugetSoundthroughanumberofoutfalls.Thus,
PublicWorkshasaveryspecificandclearresponsibilityaswell.Thewoods
betweenourneighborhoodsandPugetSoundarecurrentlytheonlyfilter.
Thus,restorationofourundevelopeduplandshorelineforestsandriparian
corridorsshouldalsobeaPublicWorkspriority.Ascitizenswealsohavea
specificresponsibilitytobeawareofandtreatlocallyourpersonal
stormwater.
ChrisHawkins
OlySpeaks
Responseto
comment
OPARD
PassageoftheMPDbyawidemajorityisareflectionofthefactthatweas
citizensgetthis.ItisanimportanttoolthatwehavevouchsafedtoourCity
administers.Nowisthetimetouseit.
Goodpoints.TheCity'slandacquisitionshouldfocusonlandthatis
valuableashabitat,andisonlydevelopedinwaysthatarecompatiblewith
restoringthatandadjacenthabitatthefundsforpurchasingtheselands
canandshouldbeleveragedbycombiningwithstormwaterandotherfees
intendedtomitigatedevelopmentandaccomplishrestorationgoals.West
BayTrailandothertrailscandoubleaswildlifecorridors,connecting
peoplewithparksbutalsoallowingmigrationamonglargertractsofland,
streams/rivers,andtheinlandseaofPugetSound,bythecreaturesthat
shareourlocalenvironment.
Thankyouforyourcomments.Staffisexcitedtomoveforwardwith
preservingthehabitatprojectsoutlinedintheplan.
13.MORERECREATIONPROGRAMSFOROLDERTEENAGERS1Comment+9OlySpeaksvotes
TammyRamsey
OlySpeaks
11/24/15
9votes
MoreRecreationProgramsforOlderTeenagers
Greatjob,team.Youhavedoneexcellentworktodistillhundredsofhours
ofmaterialintoacomprehensiveplanthatgetsprettyclosetoaligning
withallthespecialinterestgroupsandtypesofpopulationsinOlympia.I
dowishwewereseeingastrongerfocusontheclasssideoftheRecreation
Plan.Whiletherearemanyclasses,campsandexcursionsofferedforour
areayouth(andOly'sarethebestintheregion),thereisadistinctlackof
servicesforthe1218agedindividual.Rightattheverymomentthey
becomemostvulnerabletooutsideideas,wedrop/greatlyreducemost
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formsofsafeandstructuredfun,leavingthesekidstoroamdowntown,or
engageinotherwiseunsavorychoices.PLEASEADDMOREsummercamps,
winterbreakcamps,volunteerprograms,leadershipintrainingprograms,
etc...forthe1218yearold!
SandraLange
Olympiashoulddevelopandbuildapublicswimmingpoolinanexisting
Bellinger
Cityparknearthegeographiccenterofthecity.Itshouldchargenominal
OlySpeaks
feesandbestaffedbycertifiedlifeguardsandseveraladministrativestaff.
Responseto
Summertemperatureshavebeenrisingthepasttenyears,whichwilllikely
comment
continue,andOlympianolongerhasanywhereforchildrentosafelyswim.
OPARD
Teenprogrammingis,admittedly,agapinourservices.Olderteensare
especiallydifficulttoprogramforastheydeveloptheirindependenceand
explorelifebehindthewheeloftheirfirstcar.
TheRecreationDivisionoperatesonacostrecoverysystemandvirtuallyall
ofourprogramsarefeebased.Thisrequiresourrecreationstaffto
understandwhatthemarketwillsupportintermsoffeesandtypesof
programsoffered.Thecommunitywillnoticethatofferingsdoindeed
fluctuateovertheyearsaswerespondtotrendswhilemaintainingour
cornerstoneprograms.Akeyindicatorforprogramexpansionisreaching
registrationmaximumsandwaitlists.Wewillcontinuetorespondwith
expandedprogramsinareasthatweseeopportunities,includingteen
programs.
14.KAISERHEIGHTSNATURALAREAPARK:YES1Comment+8OlySpeaksVotes
MarianBailey
OlySpeaks
12/10/15
8votes
PurchaseKaiserHeightsandmanageitasanaturalarea.Don'tpurchaseit
andcutthetreesdowntomakeaplaygroundorsomeothertypeof
traditionalplaypark.Itisamature,intactconifer/hardwoodforestwithan
existingsystemoftrails.Itislandforwildlifethathasit'sowninherent
value.Itisalsoimportantasitabutsruralorpresentlyundevelopedland
(outsidecitylimits)includingtheCapitolforestarea.Keepingthatlinkageis
importantforwildlifetosurviveandhopefullythrive.Migratorysongbirds
suchasvariedthrush,chestnutsidedandblackcappedchickadees,
nuthatches,browncreepers,rubyandgoldencrownedkinglets,bushtits,
robins,spottedtowhees,ect.;pollinatorssuchaspaintedladies,western
swallowtails,mourningcloaks,woodnymphs,skippers,etc.;andraptors
suchasgreathorned,barred,andwesternscreechowls,osprey,Cooper's
andsharpshinnedhawks,andbaldeaglesdependuponthisspecificforest
forprey,breeding/nesting,andshelter.Blackbear,coyote,blacktailed
deer,flyingandDouglassquirrels,Townsend'schipmunk,andother
mammalsalsodependuponthishighqualityhabitat.Olympiawouldbea
betterplacewiththisparticularparcelprotectedfromdevelopmentand
conservedforcommunityresidentsandvisitors.Afabulousplaceforour
communities'residentstorecreateandrelievestressoflife.
75
OPARD
KaiserHeightsisproposedtobepurchasedforOpenSpacewhichis
definedinthedraftplanasprimarilyundevelopedlandthatissetasideto
protectthespecialnaturalcharacterofOlympiaslandscape.Whilethere
maybebicycleand/orpedestriantraildevelopmentwithassociated
facilities,itwouldnotbeourintenttocutdownthetreesandmakea
playground.
15.MCGRATHWOODS2Comments+6Votes
SamanthaCarlson Hello,
email12/1/15
IliveacrossthestreetfromMcGrathPark.Ithoughtthiswouldbea
wonderfulresourceformysonandhisfriends.Thishasnotbeenthe
case.Mychildisafraidtogotothepark.Wehaveseensomanydrivers
burnrubberintheparkinglot,peopleparkedincarsinthedarksmoking
anddrinking,peopledumpinggarbageandanimals,drunkordruggedpark
dwellers,thatitfeelsliketheparkisaliabilitytoourneighborhoodinstead
ofaresource.Idontconsiderourpocketparkasasafeplaceforkidsto
play.IhavereadthecurrentparksplanandIamdisappointed.Ireally
dontthinkthiscityhasanybusinessaddingmoreparksuntilweareable
tomaketheoneswevealreadygotsafeforusebythecommunity.Help
withtheoccupationoftransients,drug/alcoholabusers,homeless,and
mentallyillpeoplethattragicallyresideinourparksandthecleanupthat
requires,shouldbeanissuethatreceivesparkfunding.Maybefunding
somelightinginourneighborhoodparkswouldbeahelp?Ourpoliceforce
cannotpossiblypatrolourparksconsistentlyastheyhavefundingissuesof
theirown.Makinganinvestmentinsomethingyoucantmaintainmakes
nosensetome.Imsuremyfeelingsarentpopular,butIamtruly
concerned.
HenryCarson
McGrathWoods
OlySpeaks
11/23/15
I'malittlelatetothispartysincetheplanisalreadyout,andfromtheplan
itappearstherearemorepotentialopenspaceacquisitionsthanwehave
5votes
moneytoexplore.Thatsaid,hasthedepartmenttakenalookatthe
forestedparcelimmediatelyadjacenttoMcGrathWoodsParkthatisfor
sale?Ifnot,isthereamechanismtogetthis"onthelist"ofplacesto
evaluateforpotentialpurchase?Thankyouandniceplan.
OPARD
Safetyconcerns:Sorrytohearthatyoudontfeelsafeinthepark.The
planproposessignificantincreasesinfundingforparksafetyincluding
moreproactiveparkenforcement,safetyandlightingupgrades,andmore
resourcesforillegalencampmentcleanup.Hopefullythiswillhelpthe
situationatMcGrathWoodsPark.
Adjacentacquisition:Whilethiswouldmakeaniceadditiontothepark,
76
ourpriorityforneighborhoodparkacquisitionisprovidingneighborhood
parksforareasofthecitythatcurrentlyhavenone.
16.EXCELLENTADDITIONOFOFFROADBIKEFACILITIESINPLANUPDATE!1Comment+7
Votes
LarryLeveen
OlySpeaks
Thedraftplanupdatehassimplebutclearlanguageregardingoffroad
11/23/15
bikefacilitiesthosealreadyexistinginYaugerPark,thoseproposedfora
coupleotherlocationsonpages9192and9394,respectively,andthe
7votes
inclusionoffundingforconstructionofabikeparkin2017.Theseare
excellentadditions,andveryresponsivetotheneedsofthecommunity
nowandinthefuture.Welldone
ChrisHawkins
YesIhopetheCitywillcontinuethepartnershipwithSSBPA(thebike
OlySpeaks
parkalliance)andmakemoreofthesemultiuseplayandskillbuilding
Responseto
spacesavailablewithinthetimespanbeforethenextplanupdate(in5
comment
years).
OPARD
Thankyou.
17.PARKSANDRECBUDGET1Comment+4OlySpeaksVotes
MikeAuderer
Ithinkthediscussionisgreatandneedstohappenbutitneedstohappen
OlySpeaks
withsomefinancialfactsbehindit.CityofOlympiapleasepostthebudget
11/25/15
forparkstothisforum.Iknowitssomewheredeepinthecitywebsitebut
aversionherewouldbehelpful.
4votes
OPARD
ThankyouforthesuggestionWeprovidedalinktothePlansCapital
InvestmentStrategyfromthewebpage.
18.MISCELLANEOUSANDMULTIPLETOPICCOMMENTS
ShanaBarehand Weloveparksandthanksfortakingcomments.Iwouldliketoseemore
email11/30/15
soccerfields,running/walkingtrailsandadogrunforfolkswithfriendly
dogs.Thankyou.
OPARD
Allofthoseprojectsyouarerequestingareintheplan.
PeteBergforde
Hey,Iwanttothrowinmy2centsworth!Youcouldprobablyalready
mail11/30/15
guessthatIwouldlovetoseemoresoccerfieldsintown.Imsureyouve
heardthismanytimesandIknowyouguysareonit,sogoodjob!But
wantedtosay,youcantgowrongwithbiggreensoccerfields,weare
WAYBEHINDasfarassportsfieldsareconcerned.ThankfullyLaceybuilt
theRACandTumwaterbuiltPioneerandBlackHills.
Also,weneedanicerink!!!Letsgetsomehockey,andgeneralskatingand
iceperformanceindowntownportarea!YesIknow,maybeouttherea
waysbutIkeephearingfromothershowgreatitwouldbeandanotherfun
venueinthecity.Weneedone.AllIwantforChristmasisaniceskating
rink!IvetalkedtoWalkerJohn,hesaidhmmm.
77
Lastly,IwouldliketoredevelopPriestPointParkintoanovernight
destination.SomeofourbestcampingclosebyisatStateandCityor
Countyparks.Investinnationalparktypearchitecture(rockretaining
walls,abiglodgeinthetrees,interpretiveamphitheaterdownattheold
housesitemaybeorintheforestsomewhere,etc).Therecouldbea
systemofcanvastentstorentandstayin.Thefewcanvastentstheyhave
outatMillersylvaniaarebookedout2yearsat$200/night.Icould
managegettingdrawingsoftheparkforyouforfree.Theideasare
endless.
Sorry,toomuchcoffeethismorningJHaveagreatday!
OPARD
RobAhlschwede
OpenHouse
112/2/15
Soccerseesoccerresponse(#4)above.
IceRinkThisideahascomeupfromtimetotime.Proposedchange:
swimmingpool,icerink, indoorathleticfacilitiesand/oradditional
CampingatPriestPointAtthispointwedonothavetheresourcesto
manageapermanentcampground,butwedoofferacampingexperience
onceayearviaourrecreationprogram.
ThetwoparcelsontheIsthmustheCityhaspurchasedandclearedshould
bedevelopedasparkland,asitwasidentifiedinthelastparkplanandas
parkmoneywasusedforpurchase.ByparklandIreallymeanpublicly
ownedcivicspaces.Notjustopenspacebutrealizingtheotheractivities
andservicesfitthiscivicusesidea.Thereshouldbenothoughtto
allowinganyresidentialonthelandwestofWaterStreet.
Acquisitions:thepropertyonthewestsideownedbytheChurchofthe
LivingWatershouldbesomewhereonthetarget.
LBAWoodsshouldalsoincludetheBentridgeproperty.Itisthemost
pristinepiecesecondgrowthforsurebutmaturesecondgrowth.Ialso
realizethattheBentridgepropertyisthetargetfortheLogCabin
extension,BUTthisistoovaluabletogiveovertocars/roads.
OPARD
IsthmusandLBAWoodsseeresponses#1and3above.ChurchofLiving
78
Waterpropertyweareawareofthatparcelandwouldusethe
acquisitioncriteriawehaveestablishedintheplantodetermineifitsa
goodcandidateforacquisition.
HollyGadbaw
OpenHouse
12/2/15
Criteriaforacquisitionshouldincludeareasunderservedareasandlow
incomeareas.Lowincomeareasshouldbecriteriaforlocatingcommunity
gardens.
Needmoreneighborhoodparksasfirstpriority.
WhyregionalartcenterwhynotCityartcenter?
Eachparkacquiredshouldhavelongtermmaintenanceplan
Eachacquisitionshouldbeanalyzedforpopulationdisplaced
Nooutdoorswimmingareainplan
Whatistheadvantageofanartsandentertainmentdistrict?
Publicparticipationprocessdoesallowforadequatepubliccomment.
Statepropertyandschooldistrictpropertyshouldbecountedasacres
towardlevelofservice.WithmileofS.Capitolneighborhoodthereare
20acresofopenspacestillitappearsthatS.Capitolonthemapof
deficitsleavesadeficitinparkswiththeCapitolcampusandLincolnschool
theS.Capitoldoesnotneedaneighborhoodpark.
Artscentershouldbemovedintofirst6yearsofCapitalFacilitiesPlan
moneyforplanningforthisfacilityshouldbeinfirstsixyears
Anotherstaffpersonforartsprogram
SupportkeepingdecisiononIsthmusintheDowntownstrategy
ShouldshowhowcapitolfacilitiesprojectmaintainLOS
Donotsupportkeepingcapitolcenteracquisitionanddemolitioninthe
plan
Planisnotwellintegrated.CPjustaplantoqualifyforrecreationand
conservationfunds.
ChangePR8.1todeletethewordregionalandreplacewithcity
OPARD
Thankyouforyourcommentsmanyofthesetopicsareaddressedin
responsesabove.Othercomments:
79
LowincomeareasforparksWearetryingtoprovideaparkinallareasof
theCityincludinglowincomeareas.
NeighborhoodParksasfirstpriorityTheplanproposesacquiring5new
neighborhoodparksinthefirstsixyears.
Whyregionalartscenter?OlympiaistheregionscenterfortheArts.
WhatisadvantageofArtsandEntertainmentDistrict?Canpotentially
beutilizedasatoolforcommunityandeconomicdevelopment.
Statepropertyandschoolpropertycountedtowardslevelofservice
statepropertywithrecreationalvalue(i.e.HeritagePark,SylvesterPark,
CapitolCampus)iscountedtowardsLevelofServiceStandards(seeFigure
6.4,p.67).SchoolDistrictpropertyisnotcountedsinceitisnotavailable
forcommunityuseatalltimes.
KrisTuckerOpen
House
12/2/15
DontmaketheIsthmusonebigpark!Instead,weneedtobuildoutthe
isthmusinincludeaseriesofsmallerparksamongthebetweenmixeduse
buildingsthatprovidehousing,retail,etc.
Asmorehousingisbuiltdowntown,weneedmoreparksandadifferent
varietyofparksdowntown
Trailconnectionsshouldbeapriorityincludingalongthewaterfront/West
BayEastBay
Olympianeedsmoreinvestmentinthearts
Howwillthehighpriorityprojectsbeidentified/prioritizedat
$1million/year?
Jonathonthanksforthesong!!!
OPARD
Thanksforyoursuggestions.Inanswertoyourquestionabouthowthe
highpriorityprojectswillbeprioritized,basedonpublicinputonthefirst
draftthereviseddraftproposesfourprojectstobesupportedwiththose
funds:anArtCenter,SoccerFields,IsthmusParkDevelopment,and
PercivalLandingBulkheadreplacement.
JackHortonOpen Establishamechanismtobenotifiedwhenlandbecomesavailable
House
Purchasegreenspaceneartrailswhenitbecomesavailable
12/2/15
Provideacampgroundrule:outby10amcanreturn3pmcleanupevery
day
80
Providerentalstorageforcampingsupplies
Zerotoleranceforcampinginparksorneartrails
SecureROWthroughchurchpropertyetc.fortheCapitoltoCapitaltrailin
theareawestofGrassLakePark
Followthroughwithopportunitytobuygreenspaceneartrails
Sellbonds,buylandneverwilllandbecheaper
LotsofIUMPgraveltrails
Keyopportunities:
WSDOTpropertybetweenI5bikepathandwoodlandtrail
ThurstonCountyparcelsnearwoodlandtrail
LandswapinIndianCreekneighborhood
OPARD
Thanksforyoursuggestions.Wewillconsideryourideasrelatedtopark
encampmentsasweputmoreresourcestowardsproactivepark
enforcement.
MikeVandeman
email
11/18/15
First,youneedtoanswerthequestion"Whatisapark?"Aparkiswildlife
habitat!Thatiswhatmakesitattractivetopeople.Fromthatwecan
deducethatwildlifeshouldbegiventoppriority,andtheneverythingelse
willfallintoplace.Mountainbiking,offroadbikeparks,golf,andother
intensive(ab)usesdon'tbelonginanypark.Theoffroadbikepark,for
example,teachesbehaviorsthataredestructiveandtotallyinappropriate
inwildlifehabitat.Pleaseremoveallsuchfacilitiesfromyourplan.
Iamworkingoncreatingwildlifehabitatthatisofflimitstohumans("pure
habitat").Wanttohelp?(Ispenttheprevious8yearsfightingauto
dependenceandroadconstruction.)
Wildlifemustbegiventoppriority,becausetheycan'tprotectthemselves
fromus.Pleasedon'tputacellphonenexttoanypartofyourbodythat
youarefondof!
Staffagreesthatanimportantfunctionofparksistoprotectwildlife
habitat.ThisisthefirstParks,ArtsandRecreationPlanthatincludesa
habitatsectionthiswillallowtheCitytoapplyforhabitatgrantsthrough
theWashingtonRecreationandConservationOffice.Theplan313acresof
openspacetobeaddedtoOlympiasinventory,thevastmajorityofwhich
wouldlikelyprovideadditionalwildlifehabitat.Staffdisagrees,however,
thatactiverecreationsuchasmountainbikingdoesnotbelonginany
OPARD
81
parks.Thepublicinputwehavereceivedinthisplanningprocesshas
shownusthatpeopleenjoybothactiveandpassiverecreation
opportunities.
JohnNewman
email11/19/15
OPARD
JimNieland
email
11/10/15
CongratulationsonyouryearsofworkwiththeParksandStaffofOlympia.
Parkswillbeamoreexcitingforeveryonenextyearandon.
Thankyou.Wearegratefulforthecommunityssupport.
WiththefurtherdevelopmentofWestBayParkasapedestriantravel
routetodowntown,itmightbegoodtoidentifytheGarfieldNatureTrail
asafeedertrailintothesystem.ItisalreadybeingusedtoaccessWest
BayPark,anditsusewouldreasonablybeexpectedtoincreasewiththe
extensionofatrailaroundtotheIsthmus.Itisgoodtoseebridge
replacementlistedintheplan.Thetrailalsosuffersfromareasofstream
erosion(undercutting)andpoorgradealignment.Whennewbridgesare
considered,thegradesshouldtransitionsmoothlyontothebridgedeck
surfaceswithoutstepsup.Thereareareaswherethetreadiserodingand
couldbereinforcedwithgridblocks.
Suggestion:Expandactionstoincludegradeimprovement,retainingwalls
anderosioncontrol.
Inoticethatdonationsandfinancialcontributionsarelistedinthecurrent
planreview.Missingfromthechartisthefinancial(inkind)contributions
madebyvolunteersinthestewardshipprogram.Onpage33ismentioned
thatvolunteerscontributeonaverage6,500hoursperyear.Calculating
thisat$15perhour,thatcomesouttoanannualdonation$97,500.Thisis
ahugecontribution,fargreaterthanmanyofthoselisted.Addinga
financialcomponenttovolunteerdonationsraisestheimportanceofthe
program.
Suggestion:Addvolunteerfinancialcontributiontodonationlist.
UnderCurrentConditionsProposedProjects,onPage84,Iwas
surprisedtoseenoprojectslistedforYashiroJapaneseGarden.Idisagree
thattheparkisingoodconditionandthatnomajorimprovementsare
neededinthisplanninghorizon.Ihavehadthepleasureofassistingwith
volunteermaintenanceattheparkonceamonthforthepasttwoyears.
Thishasgivenmetheopportunitytoobservesomemajorproblems.
oDrainageintheparkisterrible.Thelawnareainthepark
centerisfloodedorsaturatedyearlong.Adjacentareas
alsoexhibitahighwatertableandareinneedofan
undergrounddrainagesystem.
oParkpathwayshavebeenallowedtospreadandforsome
reasonwideareasofpeagravelhavebeenplacedoutside
82
thepathwaycurbstones.(Thismaybeanoutgrowthofthe
poordrainage.)
oTheirrigationsystemintheparkisonlypartlyfunctional.A
largenumberofplantsalongthesouthborderofthepark
diedduringthe2015droughtforlackofwater.So,thereis
asituationofahighwatertableinoneareaandnowaterin
others.Thisaffectsboththebeautyandfunctioningofthe
park.
oIhavebeentold,buthavenowaytoindependentlyverify
this,thatthecurrentparkarrangementissomewhat
differentthanthatshownontheoriginalplan.Thismay
representcreepingchangesovertime.Certainlytheover
useofpeagravelissuspect,andlendscredencetothe
assertion.
YashiroJapaneseGardenisoneoftheJewelsoftheOlympiaPark
system,butiscurrentlyfaltering.TheproblemsImentionarenotintended
asachecklistofthingstoworkonpiecemealbythemaintenancestaff.I
thinktheproblemsfoundintheparkarestructuralandbeyondroutine
maintenance.Anobjectivelookattheproblemsiswarranted.
Onesolutionwouldbetoconductanarchitecturalandengineeringreview
oftheparktoidentifyproblemsandlongtermsolutions.Alandscape
architectfamiliarwithJapanesegardenscouldreviewtheoriginalplans
andsuggestchangesformaintaininganauthenticthemewhileatthesame
timemakingmaintenancemoreeffective.Asuggestedmaintenanceplan
wouldbeuseful.
Acivilengineerneedstoworkwiththearchitecttomake
recommendationsforremediationofirrigationanddrainageproblems.A
strategysimilartonewparkdevelopmentswouldbeuseful.
ProposedAction:Conductanarchitecturalandengineeringreviewtoguide
structuralanddrainagerepairs.Developaredevelopmentandlongterm
maintenanceplanforthepark.
Trailsarementionedthroughouttheplanbutnostandardsarenoted.
Eachparkseemstostandbyitselfwithitsownsetofstandardsimplied.
Ithinkthattheplanwouldbenefitfromaddingasectionontrail
standards.AninventoryofallOlympiaparktrailscouldbeincluded,along
withanevaluationofcurrentcondition,componentsandconstruction
standardstobemet.
Notalltrailsarethesame.Somewillbepaved,somegraveled,ornative
83
surface.Thestandardsshouldmatchtheexpecteduse,andthe
environmentinwhichtheyarefound.Pavedtrailsexpectedforhighuse
suchasbicyclesorheavypedestriantrafficwouldbedifferentfromthose
intendedforwalkingonly.Questionsofbarrierfreeaccessmightbe
consideredforsometrailsbutnotothers.Trailsinhighlyurbanizedareas
ofparksmightbeconsidereddifferentlythanthoseinnaturalareas,
particularlywhensurfacingisconsidered.
Trailmaintenancebecomesanimportantcomponentofthestandardsas
well,andshouldbeconsideredinschedulingmaintenancework.
Pavedtrailsinforestedareasareparticularlydifficulttomaintaindueto
accumulationsofleaflitterandmossbuildup.Thisisalreadybeingseenon
theOlympiaWoodlandTrail.Planningneedstoconsiderboththesurface
materialanditsmaintenance.
ProposedAction:Addasectionontrailstandardstotheplan.
GrassLakeNaturePark.Undertheproposedactionsismentioneda10
footsidepavedpedestriantrail.Ifthisistobeapedestriantrailonly(no
bicycles)thenthewidthisexcessive.Formaintenancepurposesan8foot
widegravelsurfacedtrailwouldbemorethanadequateandwouldnotbe
encumberedbythedifficultyofkeepingapavedtrailcleanandmossfree.
Theintroductionofbicyclesand/ordogsthatcouldfrightenwildlifewill
certainlybequestionedifproposed.
Suggestion:Reducethewidthto8feetandcallforagravelsurfacedtrail.
WatershedPark,PriestPointPark.Bothoftheseparkshaveactions
callingforreplacementofboardwalksandbridges.Thesechangesare
certainlyneeded.Inbothcases,theexistingbridgesareeitherfailingorin
needofupgrade.Inthesecases,thebridgesarerathernarrowandhave
stepsleadingontothebridgesurfaces.
Stepspresenttheproblemofinterferingwithuseofmechanized
equipment(orevenwheelbarrows)fortransportofconstructionor
maintenancematerials.Thestepsalsocreateapotentialsafetyhazardfor
trailusers.
Fromahikerstandpoint,onoftenobservestrailusersavoidingthesteps
andcreatingtheirownparallelpath.Wheneverpossible,stepsshouldbe
avoidedandsteeptrailgradescorrectedsostepsarenotnecessary.
Astandardisalsonecessaryforboardwalkandbridgeconstruction.Inthe
pastitappearsthatnoparticularstandardhasbeenfollowed,andthe
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designofneworreplacementbridgeshasbeenleftuptotheimagination
ofthemaintenancestaff.Beforeamajorreplacementprojectisinitiated,
standardsshouldbeadopted.
Suggestion:createtrailandtrailbridgeconstructionstandards.
OPARD:
VolunteerHoursAddedtoGrant/Donationtableonp.20.
ProposedchangetoGarfieldNatureTrailsectiononP.85:Proposed
Action:Thereis$155,000budgetedforboardwalkandbridge
replacementsthroughouttheparksystemaspartofOPARDsCapitalAsset
ManagementProgram.Theboardwalksandbridgesintheparkwillbe
assessedaspartofthisproject.Asbridgesandboardwalksarereplaced,
effortswillbemadetoeliminatestepswhereverpossibletomakethetrail
morebarrierfree.
ProposedchangetosectiononYashiroJapaneseGarden:This0.7acre
developedparkisinfairlygoodconditionalthoughtherearesome
drainageandirrigationissues.Whilenomajorimprovementsareplaned
duringthisplanninghorizon,maintenancestaffwillpursuesolutionsto
theseissuesastimeandresourcesallow.
TrailStandards:ThefollowinglanguagewillbeaddedtotheNewOpen
Space/TrailLandandDevelopmentsection:TrailStandards
CurrentlyOPARDdoesnothavetrailstandardsfortraildevelopmentor
maintenance.Havingtrailstandardswouldbebeneficialforbothnewtrail
developmentandongoingtrailmaintenance.OPARDwillpursuethe
developmentoftrailstandards.
ClydiaCuykendall ThankyouforsendingtheOPARD2016PlanExecutiveSummarytome.I
email
donotfindthefollowingcommentsreflected,althoughIhavemadethem
before:
11/19/15
LBAWoods(madeattheCoalitionofNeighborhoodsAssociationmeeting
on9/14/15):Oneoftheconcernsthatacitizenexpressedtomewasthat
LBAWoodswouldbeturnedintotracthousing.Idontsharethat
concernbecauseIwasraisedintracthousingrighthereinOlympia,which
likeLBAWoods,waswalkingdistancefromagradeschoolandonly1.5
milesfromwhereIlivenow.MyfatherpurchasedourhouseafterWWII
wherehefoughtintheBattleoftheBulge.IwantourIraqandAfghanistan
veteranstohaveaffordablehousinginOlympia,whichaccordingtothe
CompPlan,isexpectedtogrowby20,000peopleinthenext20years.I
dontthinkitiswisetoremove500acresoflandfromthetaxbase,with
85
noconcreteplansforitsaccessandsafeusebythepublicasopenspace.
MyquestioniswherewillthehousingforOlympiasnewcitizensbe
located?Sofar,theonlyanswerIhaveheardis,notinmybackyard.To
this,IwouldaddthattheCapitolLandTrusthasconservedthenearby
ParsonsFarm,whichisclosertotheChambersLakebasinthanLBAWoods
andwillprovidemoreenvironmentalbenefits,aswellaslocallygrown
food.
WardLakePark:IcanonlyhopethatWardLakeParkisunder
considerationforamajorcommunityparkdevelopment(p.6ofthe
executivesummary).InanemailearlierthisyeartotheOlympiaCity
Council,IremindedthemthatthisparkwouldbeOlympiasonlyfresh
waterswimmingaccessforourkids.Ialsoopinedthattheconsultants
designwasseriouslyflawed,includingthesamekindofconcretebulkheads
thatprovedtobeanenvironmentaldisasterontheslopebetweenthe
WashingtonStateSupremeCourtandCapitolLake(askourSenatorKaren
Fraser).TheforestontheslopeleadingtoWardLakeshouldbepreserved
andaccessforthedisabledcanbeprovidedbythefunicularproposedby
theconsultant.IamparticularlyconcernedthatpublicaccesstoWard
Lakeatthisparkwasimmediatelyshutdown,despiteits$3.5millioncost
tothetaxpayers.TheStateofWashingtonprovidesfishingaccesstoWard
Lakeattheendof42ndAvenuewithoutliabilityconcerns.Whatis
Olympiasproblem?
OPARD
RoyShort
email
11/23/15
LBAWoods:Toensurethatthe417acresoflandacquisitionproposedin
theplandidnothaveanadverseimpactonavailablelandforfuture
housing,OPARDaskedtheThurstonRegionalPlanningCounciltoprepare
ananalysisofthisissue.Theirconclusionwasthatevenwiththe
acquisitionofthe417acresproposedintheplan,Olympiawouldcontinue
tohaveenoughresidentiallandsupplytoaccommodatefuturedemand
through2035.
WardLake:Yes,WardLakewouldbeconsideredasapossiblecandidate
forthefundsbudgetedforamajorcommunityparkdevelopmentinthe
20222035timeframe.
JustgotnotifiedthatthereisanewParkPlaninplace.I'vegotjustthe
ticketforawaytospendacouplemillion.Thepatharoundcapitollakeis
greatexceptfortheINCREDIBLYunsafestretchthatparallelsthe5thAve
spillwayman,woman,child,andanimalarefunnelednexttomoving
trafficallsharingaspaceinchesfromcertaincatastrophe.Seemybridge
solution(inred)below(Ialwayswantedtobeacivilengineerasyoucan
probablytellfrommyrendition).
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Onlyyoucanmakeithappen....
Myonlyotherfeedback/blurb/suggestionwouldbetocreateadditional
safewateraccessforswimmingatmorelocationsinthecity,ifpossible.
OPARD:
ThewalkingpatharoundCapitolLakeispartofHeritageParkandis
managedbytheWashingtonDepartmentofEnterpriseServices,notthe
CityofOlympia.Ihaveforwardedyourcommentstothem.
BarbaraSteffene Acquisitionof417acresofnewparkland:Idonotwantanynewpark
mail
landpurchasedUNLESSthebacklogofmaintenanceoncurrent
11/23/15
parksisfullycomplete,andmaintenanceandoperationsfornow
andthefutureforallexistingparksisfullyfunded.Onlythen
shouldanypurchasesbeconsidered.Althoughsomeresidentsdon't
wanttoloosethetreesonthepropertyneartheirhomes,thatis
notareasontousepublicmoneytopurchasetheproperty.Parks
moneyshouldnotbeusedtoretainpropertyinthewildstate.That
isagoodoutcome,butisnotaParksoperation.
Alsonopropertyshouldbeconsideredunlessthepurchaseprice
ANDthedevelopmentandmaintenanceforthefutureisfully
fundedNOW.
Anincreaseofmorethan25%toOlympia'sexisting16miletrail
inventory:Asabovealthoughthisisagreatidea,noproperty
shouldbeconsideredunlessthepurchasepriceANDthe
developmentandmaintenanceforthefutureisfullyfundedNOW.
Eliminationoftheexisting$4millionmajormaintenancebacklog:
Absolutelybeforestartinganynewprojects.
Managementshifttowardsdatadrivendecisionswithperformance
measures:Yesifallareinthepublicdomainandaminimumof
consultingfeesarenecessarytoaccomplishthis.
MorethandoubledinvestmentinsafetyandsecurityofOlympia'sparks
andfacilities:Thisshouldbedoneundertherecommendationsof
thelawenforcementagenciesandonlyifthedecisionspassthetest
ofdatadrivendecisionswithperformancemeasuressetup.
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OPARD
Youarecorrectthatitiscriticaltoensurethereisadequatefundingfor
maintenancebeforepurchasingnewparks.IndevelopingtheplansCapital
InvestmentStrategy,wedidananalysisofhowmuchiscoststomaintain
eachtypeofparkwehaveandusedthosefigurestoprojectcostsoffuture
acquisitionanddevelopmentprojectsproposedintheplan.Theplansets
asidethesefundstoensurethatthenewlandanddevelopmentprojects
willhaveadequatemaintenancefunding.
CarlaSelk
email
11/23/15
OPARD
StevePogge
email11/24/15
OPARD
LenneReid
email
11/24/15
IjusttakehulaclassesthereandIwantthemtocontinue.Asforallthe
otherplanningthings,Ithinkitisinappropriateformetohelpyoudecide
sinceIdonotliveintheareaandcannotparticipateinanyotherpartsof
theprogramduetomyworkschedule.Ithastakenasmallmiracleforme
toevenbeabletocontinuewiththehulaclasses,butIhavemanagedto
keepthatnightclearofwork.IfIwereabletoIwouldparticipatein
volleyballandpossiblysomeotherthingstoo,butI'mnotableto.Thank
youforincludingmethough.
Gladyouareenjoyingthehulaclasses!Wefeelveryfortunatetohave
EileenMummasourhulainstructor.
I'vebeenabigsupporteringettingtheLBAlandacquisition.Itsurprised
mehowlongittooktogetP&Ronboardwiththisimportantadditionto
theparksystem.
Justafewminorobservationsfromthepublicranks,IlivenexttoMargaret
KennyparkandIgettoseetheparkinuseallyearoutmybackdeck.It
getsgooduse,especiallyinthesummerandfall.Themajorityofuse
comesfromwalkingdogs.Theswingsandbasketballcourtandopenarea
andbenchesinfrontofplayareagetafairnumberoffamiliesandyoung
peopleusingthem.ThemetalbikestandsDONotevergetused.Theyare
placedinthewrongplace(needtobearoundplayground)andonlyserve
asanobstacletomowaround.Alsothosesillywoodenbenchswingsjust
getabusedandhardlyeverused.IseethematmanyOly.parksandifthey
wouldbereplacedbynormalbenches,itwouldbecheaperandan
improvement.Thepicnictablesgetverylittleuse.Peoplegotothe
neighborhoodparkstothrowaball,takeashortwalkorgetFidoout,they
seldomhaveapicnicthere.
Thanksforyourworkinpromotingtheparks,youaretrulyagood
ambassadorJon.Hopetosayhellooneofthesedaysagain.
ThanksforyourobservationsofMargaretMcKennyPark.Thatsvery
usefultoknowhowthevariousamenitiesaregettingusedandthiswillbe
helpfultoknowaswedevelopparksinthefuture.
IloveOlympia.Ilovetheparks.ThisistheonlyplaceinAmericaIwantto
live.That'swhyIliveandvolunteerhere.
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Youwouldn'tneedtodouble,reallydouble?,securityifyouspentthe
acreageacquisitionmoneyoneliminatinghomelessness.
IthinkitsdisgustinghowexcessivelybeautifulOlympiasparksarewhen
homelessnesscanliterallybesolvedbythrowingmoneyatit.
Makeatinyhousepark.Treathomelesswithrespect.Startcampgrounds.
Somethingotherthanextravagancethat'sonlyaccessibletostateworkers
andbusinessowners.
Thefoodbankprovidesbetterstablereliablesupportthandshsorthecity
combined.
Homelessandpoorpeopleneedparksandartstoo.
Make24hrbathroomsandshowerssopeoplehavesomedignity.
Ijustreallycan'tbelieve417acresforwhat?Nottheneedsofthepeople.
Thateyesorebuildingonthepeninsulacould'vebeenhousingpeoplethis
wholetime.Whatawaste.
Olympiacouldonlybestrongerandmorebeautifulifweprioritizedthe
lessfortunate.Thenyouwouldn'tneedtodoublesecurity.Itsalreadythe
safestplaceI'vebeen.
Justmytwocents.I'mawareitsnotprobablytheparksproblem.Butitis.
OPARD
Whileendinghomelessnessisntourmissionastheparksdepartment,we
dorecognizetheissueandtrytobecompassionatetowardsthehomeless
populationinthemanagementofourparkssystem.
CurtisandLeola
Clarke
email
11/24/15
OPARD
WevotedfortheParksbondandagreewithallthatyouaretryingtodo.
ElaineDodde
mail11/25/15
IhavebeenalifelongresidentofOlympiaandIusedtolovetogo
downtownandespeciallyaroundholidaytimewhenthecitywasalllitup
withchristmaslights.Itwassafeandclean,lotsofparkingandfun
restaurantstogrababite.
Whenthecollegecamedowntownsuddenlychanged.Peoplesatonthe
sidewalk(stilldo)withtheirdogsorcats.Panhandlingwaseverywhereand
Thanksforyoursupport.
89
drugswerebeingsoldonthestreetandpeoplewerehangingoutallover
town.Itwasnotsafe,norclean.Afriendofoursclosedhisradiator
businessbecausepeopleusedthebackofhisbuildingforatoiletanddo
drugsandhecouldnotusethebackentrancetohisshopanymore.Where
werehisrights?
Notallthepeopledowntownarehomeless,themoneyspentonthe
Artesianwellwasmisguidedandthenabasketballhoopwasaddedjustfor
them,itsajokeamongmanyofus.ThereisnowayIwouldgothereatany
time.
Yesweneedparks,weliveonallofthiswaterandwecan'tevengetdown
toit.Iwalkthelakebutcan'tdipmyfootinthelake,mydogfellinandhad
towashhertwiceandourvettoldustowatchforanysignsofillness.Putit
backintowetlandthen,itsbetterthanwalkingalongapollutedlake.Igo
tothefarmersmarketallsummer,thereisnoplaceformetowalkdown
onthebeachunlessIclimboverthehugerocks.Therearenoplacesfor
kidstoswimanymore,orjustplayinthewater.ImissgoingdowntoWard
LakebutnowIhavetogogetapermit...Parksaregreatbutiftheyarein
towntheyneedtobeprotected,lasttimeIwasatPercivalwithmy
grandchildrenthereweredrugiesinthebathroomandIcalledthepolice.I
stoppedintowntwicethisyear,bothtimesIwasaskedformoney,oneof
thosetimesthemangotveryclosewhereIcouldnotshutmydoor.
Iamjustdiscouragedbythelackofcarethecityshowstocontrolthe
tattooparlors,piercingandteen/adultclubsintown,itsjustliketheold1st
AveinSeattle,tacky,cheapbusinessesandyoungfolkswithnothingtodo
anddrugbuyersandsellers.
Mostofuslocalshavesortofgivenup.
Olympiacouldbeagreatlittletownagain,4thavecouldhaveangled
parkingononesidewithjustonelaneopen,sidestreetscouldbefor
pedestriansonlywithtreesandbenches.Greatlittleshopswithoutside
seating.Butthatsjustmyvision....parksinthemiddleoftownareofvalue.
OPARD
Weareinagreementthatparksafetyandsecurityneedstobeatop
priority.Theplanallocatessignificantresourcesforproactiveenforcement
inparksandcertainlyafocusareaofthesenewresourceswouldbe
downtownparkssuchasArtesianCommons.
JasonKinnemail Reallylikethisplan.IliveintheKenLakeneighborhoodandmyfamily,
11/30/15
includingan8and5yearold,isexcitedaboutthepotentialforanewBIG
parknearby.
90
OPARD
Greatgladyouarehappywiththeplan.
JimRainwoode
mail11/28/15
Greatwork!
Twoquickcomments:
1.TheplansaysHarryFainParkisinbasicallygoodshape.Actually,the
twosetsofstepsthatgouptothetopofthesmallhillareveryrotten.The
rebarisexposedandthereareseveraltrippinghazards.
2.InWatershedPark,in2001,aspringopenedupunderoneofthe
boardwalks.Thatboardwalkwillprobablyneedtobereplacedinthe
planningperiodandIhopetheboardwalkwillbereconfiguredtoexpose
springandprotectit.It'sarareopportunitytoletfolksseeaspring.
Ilovethatwe'llgettobeginOWTPhase3!!!
thankssomuch,
OPARD
ThanksforbringinguptheissuewiththestepsatHarryFainParkIhave
forwardedthatontoourmaintenancestaffsothatcanbeaddressed.And
thanksforyourideatotrytoexposethatspringatWatershedParkthat
couldindeedmakeforagoodinterpretationopportunity.
IwouldloveLBAwoodstostaylikeitiswithtrails.Iwouldlikemoreparks
developedandmorelandpurchasedforparks.Idon'treallyfeeltheneed
fordedicatedsoccerfields.Ibelieveinniceopenspacesandtrailsfor
peopletoenjoyandjustbe.
Developingthetrailsbycapitallakeandtheoldrailwayandconnectingto
thewaterfrontsoundsgreat.Ithinkwehaveenoughoffleashdogparks
fornow.
IwishyoucouldconvinceTumwatertopurchasemorelandforparks.
Swingsetsattheplaygroundsareabighitandteetertotters.
Thankyouforlistening,
Thanksforyourfeedback.
TheWoodlandTrailGreenwayAssociationisveryconcernedaboutthe
eliminationoftheOlympiaWoodlandTrail(OWT)Phase4(Tumwater
connection)fromthedraft2017TIP,CIP,andthedraft2016Parks
Plan.Weunderstandthatitwillbeanincrediblyexpensivetrailsegment,
butwebelieveitbelongsontheplansforthefollowingreasons:
ThereasonthattheCity,atgreatcost,updatedtheOWTphase4
alternativesdesignstudylastyearwastobeabletohaveaviableplanand
costestimatesinplaceshouldfundingbecameavailable.Thishappened
becausetheCitywasunwillingtotrusttheengineeringandcostestimates
fromtheoriginalmasterplanwhenUSRepresentativeBrianBairdasked
foralargelegacyprojecttofund.Thestarshadalignedandallthe
committeeswerestaffedwiththerightpeople.Wemissedthatverylarge
fundingopportunity.
HeatherRime
email11/29/15
OPARD
JackHorton
email11/18/15
91
Whyarewedeliberatelyeliminatingtheabilitytofundthisprojectafter
spendingaconsiderablesumtoupdatethecostestimatesthatpositionus
tobeabletofundthisprojectinthefirstplace?
AnoutcomeoftheOWTPhase4alternativesstudywasapreferred
alignmentthatwascontingentonageotechnicalstudyofthesteepslope
nexttoCapitolWayabovetheupperbasinofCapitolLake.Thisslopehas
beensubjecttonumerouslandslides,andCapitolWayitselfmaybein
danger.Youcanseeforyourselfbyinspectingtheleaningbollardssouth
ofthebridgeoverI5.
ThisgeotechnicalstudycannotbefundedifOWTPhase4isnotontheTIP
orParksPlan.
OngoingROWdiscussionsareunderwaywiththehoteldevelopersat
HendersonPark.TheCitywillbeunabletoactifROWbecomesavailable
unlessOWTPhase4isontheTIPandParksPlan.
TheCityofTumwaterjustreceivedaConservationFuturesgranttoacquire
a"missinglink"inthecorridorEastoftheOldBrewhouse.Othersmaller
stepsareintheworksforOlympia,andthetrailneedstobeintheTIPto
beeligibleforfundingofthesesmallerprojects.
TheCityofTumwaterisveryfaralongwithafullengineeringdesignandis
activelyseekingfundingtobuildtheDeschutesValleytrail,whichwill
connecttoOWTPhase4.DroppingOWTPhase4woulddiminish
Tumwater'sabilitytowingrantfunding,andsuccessfulfundingofthe
TumwatertrailisaprecursortothedevelopmentoftheOWTPhase4
connectiontoit.
Finally,theconnectiontoTumwateristhe#1trailfundingpriorityofthe
TRPCTransportationPolicyBoard.TheyfundedtheOWTPhase4
alternativesdesignstudy,andtheyarethelogicalsourceforfundingofthe
geotechstudy,aswellasthelion'sshareofothertransportationfunding.
WhatmessagedoesitsendtodropthisprojectfromtheTIPafterallthe
supportTRPChasgivenus?Howwouldthismoveaffectourfuture
fundingopportunities?PleasereinstateOWTPhase4intotheTIP,CIP,and
ParksPlan.
OPARD:
ProposedadditionallanguagefortheOlympiaWoodlandTrailsectiononP.
84:Thefirsttwophasesofthetrailwerebuiltutilizingstrongpartnerships
withtheWoodlandTrailGreenwayAssociation,WashingtonDepartment
ofTransportation,andThurstonRegionalPlanningCouncil.TheCitywill
92
seektocontinueandexpandthesepartnershipsmovingforwardwith
Phases3and4.(Formoredetailedinformationonthistrailcorridor,seep.
341oftheThurstonRegionalTrailsPlan.)
ProposedAction:Thisplanbudgets$350,000in2018forPhase3design
andthePlansLongRangeOptions(20222035)sectionoftheCapital
InvestmentStrategybudgets$4.5millionforPhase3constructionin2022
2035.Theplanbudgets$5.3millionforopenspace/trailacquisitioninthe
LongRangeOptions(20222035)sectionoftheplan,someofwhich
couldbeutilizedforPhase3and/or4RightofWayacquisition.Theplan
budgets$5.3millionforopenspace/trailacquisitionintheLongRange
Options(20222035)sectionoftheplan,someofwhichcouldbeutilized
forPhase3and/or4RightofWayacquisition.TheCitywillpursue
partnershipsandgrantsforPhase4planningefforts.
GarStevensemail IspendthewinterinSurpriseAz.Wehavemade1tenniscourtsinto4
12/8/15
courtswithportablenets.Youmightbeabletomake4atStevensPark.
Justathought.Thanks
OPARD
Thanksforthesuggestion.
JohnBusseyemail Iamcommentingonthe2016Parks,ArtsandRecreationplan.Ithinkthe
12/8/15
planlookswonderfulandisagreatwaytoexpandOlympia'sParks.My
onlycommentisthatitmightbebeneficialtodevelopandconnectthe
existingparksinsteadofspendingmostoftheparksplanonacquiringnew
parksliketheIsthmusandKaiserWoods.Inaddition,Ithinktrailsarea
wonderfulwaytoaddtotheparks.Theyconnectparks,addtotheparks
andaddtotheparksrecreationpotential.Thankyouforlettingthepublic
commentonthisplan,
OPARD
Weagreethattrailsareveryimportant.WehavefundsplannedforWest
BayParkandTrail,thenextphaseoftheOlympiaWoodlandTrailand
fundsforotheropenspace/trailacquisitionasopportunitiesarise.
TroyBusseyemail IwanttocomplementyouandOPARDonaverygood2016draftParks,
12/7/15
Arts,andRecreationPlan.Thankyoufortheopportunitytoprovide
comments.Thisemailcontainsasummaryofmypersonalinputon
prioritization.
Mybiggestcommentsare:
IthinktheTrailCorridorProjectsshouldhaveamuchhigherpriority
thanparcelacquisitions.Inmyopinion,linearfeetoftrails
added/connectedisamuchmoreimportantmetricthanthe#of
acresacquired.Ithinkconnectingourexistingparks,trails,and
sidewalksshouldbethemostimportantpriority.
Ithinkthatpurchasingpropertiesandcreatingopenspaceparksin
93
parcelsthatwereslatedforurbandevelopment(e.g.,LBAWoods,
KaiserWoods)inordertoappeaseNIMBYneighborsisanaffrontto
goodurbanplanning.Samegoesforalargerparkontheisthmus
whenwealreadyhaveagreatHeritagePark,MarathonPark,and
associatedtrails.Idon'tunderstandwhyOlympianskeeppushing
forlessdensityintheurbancorewhilefailingtorecognizethe
impactsoftheseactionsonregionalurbansprawl.
SpecificitemsIaminfavorofinclude:
OPARD
AdrianSpidle
email
11/23/15
OPARD:
ShantySlater
email12/4/15
AlloftheTrailCorridorProjects(especiallyWestBayTrail
andOlympiaWoodlandTrail)
Sidewalks
FinishrenovatingPercivalLanding
Urbanpocketparksintegratedwithurbandevelopment
Athleticfieldcomplex
Developmoresoccerfields
Spraygrounds
Pickleballcourts/striping
Dogpark
Discgolfcourse
Provideswimmingaccess/swimmingpool
Thanksforyourworkonthisplan.
Thanksforyourfeedback.
Iamwritinginsupportofparksplanningthatcomplieswiththestate's
growthmanagementact.Parksthathavetheeffectofgobblingup
developablelandinthecountycomprehensiveplan'surbangrowtharea
andpushingdevelopmentouttosprawlintoformerlyruralareasoutside
theurbangrowthareaareabadideaforthepresentandfutureofOlympia
andThurstonCounty.PleasekeepthefutureoftheOlympiaurbangrowth
areainmindwhenconsideringwhethertobuydevelopablelandanduseit
forinternal(andexternal)sprawlinsteadofgrowth.
Toensurethatthe417acresoflandacquisitionproposedintheplandid
nothaveanadverseimpactonavailablelandforfuturehousing,OPARD
askedtheThurstonRegionalPlanningCounciltoprepareananalysisofthis
issue.Theirconclusionwasthatevenwiththeacquisitionofthe417acres
proposedintheplan,Olympiawouldcontinuetohaveenoughresidential
landsupplytoaccommodatefuturedemandthrough2035.
IjustwantedtocheckinasIamalwayslatetotheparty.Inoticed(too
late)thattherehasbeenalotortalkandsome(awesome)singingabout
theparkplans.Iwantedtoknow(asourmailboxisincountybutthepark
thatboardersourpropertyisinthecity),ifthereisanythingthatweneed
94
tobeawareofinthedevelopmentinthe8thAvePark.
AlsoIwaswaswonderingiftherewasanyplanortalkaboutthenoxious
weedscotchbroomthatistakingitover.
NohurryinyourreplyasIamsureyouareverybusybutIwantedtotouch
base.
Thanksforallyoudoandhappywinter,
OPARD
No,thedraftplandoesn'treallyhaveawholelotproposedanytimesoon
for8thAvePark.Itproposes5neighborhoodparkdevelopmentprojects
inthe"LongRangeOptions"section(20222035timeframe)butsince
that'salongwayoffwe'renotidentifyingthewhichparkstheywouldbe
justyetbythentherewouldbeanewparkplaninplacewithnew
communityinputsoitseemedprematuretogetthatspecificabout
projectsthatfaroff.
AstotheScotchbroom,no,Idon'tbelievethereisaplanforthatatthis
point.Weprimarilyutilizevolunteerstohelpmanageinvasiveplantsin
ourparks,butwith8thAveParkclosedduetosoilcontamination,it'snot
reallypracticaltousevolunteersatthissite.Thatforbringingthisissueto
ourattentionthough.
RonMarcoeemail ThankyouforforwardingmetheOlympiaPark'splan&allthemeeting
12/1/15
comments.Somegreatcommunityfeedback!
Pleaseincludemycommentsinyourplanwhereappropriate&youcancall
meanytimeifyouhavesomequestionsformeaboutthis.Myphone#is
below!
Asyouknow&rememberfromourconversationlastAugust,ourpickleball
needsarestillthesameforplayingoutdoorsontheexistingtenniscourts
atStevensField&WoodruffParks.Weareinneedofatleastonemore
courtstripedforpickleballatoneorbothoftheseparks.Allthissummer
wehavebeenaveraging15playersperdaywhenweplay.Withthatmuch
turnoutwearealwaysrequiringabout7ofourplayerstowaitanditisvery
discouragingbecauseweenduplosingtheseplayersbecausetheydon't
likewaitingalways15minutesinbetweengames.Whenwewereusing
theportablecourt(withchalkedinlines)atStevensFielditwasgreatand
playerrotationwasrespectable.Also,withouta3rdor4thcourtitmakes
itmoredifficulttoscheduleTournaments&RoundRobbins.Wewouldlike
todothisstartingin2016!!
Ifyouthinkthatit"WOULDNOT"bepossibletoprovidea3rdstripped
95
courtatStevensFieldorWoodruffwoulditbepossibleforyoutoprovidea
portablepickleballcourtforustouseatStevensField?
WehavebeenplayingindoorpickleballatTOCsinceOctober1stwith2
courtsandwillsoonhavea3rdcourtavailable.Wehavebeenaveraging
about1012peopleperdayandhavehadupto16&18playersonafew
days.Therearemanymoreplayersinthisareathatwillbecomingoutin
thefuture.IhavebeencoordinatingthiswithJeffJohnsonandthishas
workedoutprettygood.
Thisismycomments&ideasaboutwhatIwouldliketoseehappen,inthe
future,inOlympiaand/orintheThurstonCountyarea.IthinkthattheOly
Centeriswaytoosmallandweneeda"CommunityCenter"withenough
gym/floorspacetoaccommodateanumberofsportsand/oractivities;this
wouldincludefloorspacesothatmultiplesport'sactivitycouldbegoingon
atthesametime.Forexample,iftherewasabuilding(gymfloor)thatwas
doublethesizeoftheOlyCenter,withalargecurtainsplittingthegyminto
twospaces,youcouldsimultaneouslyaccommodate34pickleballcourts
ononesideofthecurtainandprobably23volleyballcourtsor3
badmintoncourtsontheotherside.Thiscouldbeacombinationmixof
anynumberofothersportingactivitiesorotherfunctionsaswell.Some
sportingactivitiesIcanthinkofare:openplay,tournamentsand/orleague
pickleball,openplayand/orleaguevolleyball,indoorsoccer,basketball,
badminton,dodgeball,IndoorFieldHockey,sportsCamps,fitnessclasses,
pickleballtrainingclasses,volleyballtrainingclasses,Chunjidoclasses,
Taekwondoclasses,Jujitsoclasses.Thegymfloorcouldhavemany
differentcourtlinestoaccommodateallthedifferentsports.
Ibelievethatifanindooractivitybuildingsuchasthissizecouldbe
possible,thentherewouldbemorefinancialopportunitiesforOlympia
Parksbecauseofthepossibilityofaccommodatingdifferentactivitiesat
thesametime&moreoftenduringaweek.Thiswouldbringinalotmore
peopleeveryday,eachweekresultinginalotmoreparticipatingfees.
Iwouldguessthatabuildingwouldneedagymaboutthesizeof100'X
120'or120'X120'orsomethinglikethat.Yourcurrentgymdimensions
areonly84ftX70ft.
Thisfacilitywouldbeavailableyearroundandareasonableplayer's(daily
ormonthlyoryearly)fee,dependingontheparticularsport,thesefees
couldbeworkedout,foreachactivity.
OPARD
WewillcontinuetoworkwithyourPickleballgroupandthetennisplayers
toassesstheviabilityofpaintingadditionalPickleballcourtlinesontennis
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courts.AndyouarecorrectthatTheOlympiaCenterisnotlargeenoughto
meetallofthegrowingindoorrecreationneedsincludingPickleball.
Proposedchange:
swimmingpool,icerink, indoorathleticfacilitiesand/oradditional
TannerBodine
Yaugerisclassicbutverymuchoutdated.Withlittlerenovationsoradd
email12/5/15
onstoasurroundingareaortoYaugeritselfwouldbeadreamcometrueI
neverthoughtpossible.Olympiawouldbecomeahotitemtojustabout
anyoneifitwouldcometogetherright.
OPARD
TheplanbudgetsfundsthatcouldbeutilizedtoupgradeYaugerPark.The
YaugerParksectiononp.82states:Proposed Action: The plan budgets
$580,000 for upgrades to existing fields in 2017. A site has not yet been
identified for these upgrades. The Plans Long Range Options (2022-2035)
section of the Capital Investment Strategy also budgets $700,000 for upgrades to
existing fields. OPARDs Capital Asset Management Program budgets $412,000 in
2016 to replace lighting on two fields, $165,000 in 2021 to add lighting to the
Alta St. parking lot, and $120,000 in 2021 for a skate court rehabilitation and
upgrade project.
JamesReddick
email12/6/15
OverallIfeelthisisagoodplan.
Myconcerns:
Thereareanumberofwaystocreativewaystomeetourneedsthatare
notincludedinparks,recreation,andartstheobjectsandgoalsofplan.
First,youtalkaboutthepartnershipwithOlympiaSchoolDistrict;however,
Ibelieveyoushouldtalkaboutdevelopingthepartnershipswiththeother
jurisdictions,Lacey,Tumwater,ThurstonCounty,andmaybewithsome
privateorganizations.
Second,IrememberatoneoftheregionalmeetingsatTeninowherefolks
fromRainer,Tenino,andtheCountystatedtheyhadland;however,the
citieshavetherecreationprogramsandsupportstaffsforoperating
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facilitiesbuildontheirland.Iwouldtoseethistypecreativemanagement
solutionsbediscussedinsomeformintheplan.
Weneedtothinkaboutdifferentwaystomeetourgoalssinceevenwith
thenewfundingwewillnotbeabletodoitallbyourselves.
OPARD
Staffagreesthatweshouldcontinuethinkingofexpandedpartnerships
whenpossibleandappropriate.ThecurrentevaluationoftheSpecialized
Recreationprogramisagreatexampleofthat.Anothergoodexampleis
theArtesianLeadershipCommittee,wherewehaveexpandedpartnerships
withtheDowntownAmbassadors,CommunityYouthServices,and
Illuminate.Wealsohaveanewsummeremploymentprogramin
partnershipwithCommunityYouthServicesthatisseparatefromthe
ArtesianCommons.
Onyourseconditem,itsininterestingthought,butstaffisnotsureabout
howOlympiataxpayerswouldfeelaboutoperatingafacilityandproviding
programsinsouthCounty.Weunderstandthereasoninganddesire,but
mostofthefolkswetalktoexpressfrustrationabouthavingtodriveto
LaceyandTumwaterforfielduse.
Wildwood
ThanksforthisopportunitytocommentonthedraftParksPlan.Whata
Neighborhood
hugeamountofworkthisdraftrepresentsforParks,Arts,andRecreation
Association
staffintermsofvisioningandpublicprocess!
Board:
IamwritingonbehalfoftheWildwoodNeighborhoodAssociationtoshare
JanaeHuber,
somefeedbackonthedraft.
Chair
MaryBethLang, OlympiaWoodlandTrail
ViceChair
WeareverypleasedtoseethattheParksPlanincludessupportforPhase3
ChristineMasters, oftheOlympiaWoodlandTrail.Wearehoweverdeeplydisappointedthat
Secretary
theimplementationofthiscriticallinkwillrequirethePlan's20year
SteveWorcester, durationtocomplete.TomeetlocalrecreationalneedsANDsupport
Treasurer
familyfriendlybikeandpedestriantransportationroutes,theplanshould
DavidGoularte
notonlyexpeditePhase3,butalsoincludefundingtoadvancePhase4.
BonnieKnudsen
MarthaShinners ParkingforWatershedPark
email12/6/15
TheCityhasatimelyopportunitytopurchaseLot4oftheHendersonPark
property,asmallparcelthatisperfectlysitedtomeettheneedsofparking
forthemuchusedWatershedParkandthefutureOlympiaWoodlandTrail.
ThisopportunityshouldbeprioritizedintheParksPlan;theparcelis
currentlylistedforsale.
WildwoodGlenPark
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WerespectfullyrequestthatWildwoodGlenPark,asmallneighborhood
parcel,remainapriorityforinterimusefunding.
OPARD
OlympiaWoodlandTrailandWatershedParking:Seeresponsefrom
WildwoodNeighboroodOlySpeakscommentabove.WildwoodGlen:
WildwoodGlenisclassifiedasanOpenSpaceasopposedtoa
neighborhoodparksowewouldlikelynotmakesubstantial
improvementstothatpark.Thatbeingsaid,asOlympiaWoodlandTrail
Phase3isdeveloped,wewillexploreopportunitiestoincludeminor
improvementstothisparcelaspartofthatproject.
HarryBranch
email12/7/15
Naturalecosystemstendtobeproductive,resilientandmaintenance
free.Wheneverwecan,weshouldattempttoincorporateecological
principalsintoourlandusedecisions.Asciencebasedprocessof
ascertainingecologicalvaluewouldbeginwithobservation.
Birdsareoftenagoodindicatorofthehealthofanecosystem.In2002the
CitycommissionedanassessmentofbirdsinBuddInletbyR.W.Morse.In
fiftysixsurveys,theycounted39speciesofwaterbirdsandsixraptorsfora
totalof15,231sightings.Thebiggestsurpriseofthestudywasthatthe
numberanddiversityofwaterbirdshaddroppedsignificantlyoverthe
previous15years.Today,onatypicalwinterday,apersonwillseeno
birds.Allhavebecomefunctionallyextinctoverthelasttwentyyears.The
CommonMurre,SurfScoterandGrebewereespeciallyplentiful.
commonmurre
surfscoters
grebes
Thelossofthesebirdsisanindicationofsomegreaterproblem.Thethree
majorstreamsinBuddInletallflowthroughintertidalculverts.Thelargest,
MoxlieCreek,flowsthroughahalfmilelongpipewhichemptiesintoEast
Bay,aFederallyClassified303(d)degradedwaterbody.Thispipemustbe
viewedaspartoftheproblem:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4505844/
Ofparticularimportanceistheintertidalzonewherenutrientsare
incorporatedintothemarineenvironment.Whatwasonceabout160
acresofsaltmarshandtideflatshasbeenfilled.There'sanopportunityto
regain4acresaroundthemouthofthepipe.Instead,we'regoingtoallow
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constructionofabuildingonthoseparcelsthatwillimpedeanyeffortsat
significantrestoration.It'slikenotfixingitisn'tgoodenough,wewantto
fixitsoitcan'tbefixed.
Agoodexampleofhowunnaturalsystemsarenotmaintenancefreeisthe
failingbankaroundthemouthoftheMoxlieCreekpipewheretheCityis
planningondumpingacubicacreofrockriprapintheintertidalzone,a
neverending,backward,desperateattempttooverpowernature.
The4acresisalsocontaminatedwithdioxin,thechemicalofconcernin
BuddInletsediments.Thisisaperfectcandidateforcleanupand
restorationdollars.Thecommunitywouldhaveabeautifulassetwithlittle
localfinancialinvestment.
OPARD
Thankyouforyourcomments.Theparcelyouarereferringtoisnotan
OlympiaParksoOPARDisnotinvolvedinthatproject.
KathyMcCormick CommentsontheDraftParksPlan
email12/4/15
CongratulationontheDraftParksPlanaswellasthesubstantialfunding
propertyownersandresidentsaroundtheCitywillcontributeoverthe
years.ItrustthattheCitywillusethesewiselyandwell.Asprioritiesare
setanddecisionsmadeIaskthattheCityarticulatehowtheactionswill
contributeandcoordinatewithlanduseandothercrucialgoalsof
OlympiasComprehensivePlanaswellastheCityandregional
sustainabilitygoalsasdefinedintheSustainableThurstonPlan.
SpecificPlanComments:
1)NeighborhoodParksshouldbetheCityshighestpriorityandtheyneed
notbe5acres!The1994ParksCompPlangoalsidentifiedthat
neighborhoodparksshouldnotbelessthan5acres(thereasonwasa
determinationthatmoresmallparksweretoocostlytomaintain).The
currentplanreiteratesthisgoalandshouldbechangedtomakeacquisition
ofmoresmallerparksincloseproximitytoneighborhoodsthenew
goal.Inadditioncollectionofimpactfeesforageneralparkfundmeant
thatmanynewneighborhoodswerebuiltthatdidnotincludeevensmall
gathering/playspacesfortheadjacentproperties.Ihavealwaysfeltthat
thiswasamistakewiththeresultclearlyshownonMap61Parksand
OpenSpaceNeedwithlargeareasofthecitywithouteasilyaccessible
smallparkswithinwalkingdistance.IencouragetheCitytolookfor
opportunitiesformoresmallparksthatcouldbelocatedamidexistingor
newhousing.WiththepassageofProp1maintenanceofmoreparks
shouldnotbeanissue.ThisshouldbeTHEHIGHESTPRIORITYsince
MORENEIGHBORHOODPARKwasthemostcitedneedinthemostrecent
100
OlympiaParkssurveys.
2)TheDraftParksPlanshouldacknowledgetheimportanceofbeautiful
andsafesidewalksandstreetsthatsupportwalking.Inpastparks
surveysthe#recreationformostresidentswaswalkingonlocal
sidewalks.TheParksPlanshouldacknowledgethis,supportopportunities
forsidewalkconnectionstoandamidneighborhoodsaswellassafe
passagetoanypark.Inaddition,theplanshouldacknowledgethe
connectionbetweenwalkingandhealthateveryage.Easyaccesstoclose
byparksaswellasotherneighborhooddestinationsiskeytobuildingand
maintaininghealthyresidentswithlongtermpayoffsinthecostofmedical
careaswellashelpingtoachievethecleanairandvehicletripreduction
goalsofOlympiasComprehensivePlan.
3)LinkParksPlanning,andCommunityPolicingthebestsolutiontosafe
parkspaces.Thebestwaytoachievesafetyinparksistolocateparks
amidhousingwherethenaturalsurveillanceofsurroundingresidentscan
workwiththepolicetomaintainsafety.Thefactisthemorenatural
surveillancethattakesplacethesafereachparkareawillbe.Olympiahas
longheldcommunitypolicinggoals.Thelocationofparksand
encouragementofhousingimmediatelyadjacenttotheseparksisthemost
efficientandhealthywaytomaintainsafety.Communitypolicingisalso
thebestwaytoassuresafetyandsecurityamidthemanyacresofexisting
parksindowntown.LackofhousingdevelopmentadjacenttoHeritage
Park,PercivalLanding,andtheArtesianCommonshaskepteachofthese
areasfromachievingalldaysafety.Inordinateamountsofmoneyhas
beenusedforunsuccessfulbandaidapproachesthathavefailedtoallow
manyofthesepublicspacestoremainopenduringeveninghours.This
willnotbenecessarywhenmanymorepeoplearegiventheopportunityto
liveinareasadjacenttoparkswheretheirsurveillanceandpartnership
withpolicewillcontributeto24hoursafetyintheseareas
OPARD
NeighborhoodParksizeOurgoalistogetneighborhoodparkswalking
distanceto90percentofallareasoftheCity.Ifthereisnota5acreparcel
availablewewouldcertainlyconsidersmallerparcels.Proposedadditional
sentencetosectiononneighborhoodparkacquisitiononp.86: Inareas
wherefiveacresarenotavailable,smallerparcelswillbeconsidered.
Walkingconnectionstoparks:Theplanbudgets$25,000annuallyto
contributetotheOffStreetWalkingConnectionprogramtoconnect
sidewalksandpathwaystoparks.
CommunityPolicingThankyouforyourcommentsonCommunity
Policing.Theywillbeconsideredasweevaluatefutureproperties.
101
Nancyemail
ilookedatyourwebsiteandihopethisisanacceptablewaytosubmita
12/3/15
commentithinktheparcel(s)onPiferjustablocksouthofOlympiaHigh
anddirectlyadjacenttoNorthCourtwouldmakeafantasticpocketpark...
therearen'tanypocketparksinthisarea....placestohikeyes,butnota
smallerplayground,picnicarea....
theownerisabout70yrsoldandmaybeinterestedindiscusssionsthere
aretwoparcelsthereorlastilookedattheaccessor'ssitethoughheis
consolidatingthem.plsadvise,thanks
OPARD
Thankyouforthesuggestionwewilllookintothatparcelaswebeginto
assesssitesfornewpotentialparks.
AllenT.Miller
GreatjoblastnightattheOpenHouse.
email12/3/15
IleftsomewrittencommentswithPaul,butjustwantedtoreplytoyour
emailaswell.Iamalsoattachingsomeexhibitswhichhelpillustratemy
comments.
Pages3536and8081oftheDraftPlanneedtoincludereferencetothe
1911WilderandWhiteand1928OlmstedBrothersplansfortheState
CapitolCampusandtheviewcorridortothenorthacrossCapitolLake,the
isthmus,totheborrowedlandscapesofPugetSoundandthe
Olympics.TheNorthCapitolCampusHeritagePark,whichhasdeveloped
overtheyearssincethe1986FeasibilityStudybyJonesandJones,from
theLawEnforcementMemorialtotheNorthOval/Fountainblock,is
plannedtobeextendedtothe3blockswestoftheFountain.TheDraft
PlanshouldalsobesuretoincludethattheNorthOval/FountainBlockisto
becompletedwiththedemolitionoftheremainingbuildingsalongthe
WaterStreetsideoftheBlock.
The2009FeasibilityStudycostfiguresshouldnotbereferencedsincethey
wereinflatedbyincludingdevelopmentcostsandareoutofdate.Takea
lookattheattachedThurstonCountyassessorsvaluationsoftheparcels
andnoticehowParcelNo.91005201000wasvaluedatover$9millionin
2008andisnowvaluedat$318,000.00.Abettercostfigureshould
referencethefairmarketvaluesoftheremaining4parcelsoftheCapitol
CenterBuildingwhichadduptoabout$3.5million.Itwouldalsobegood
toincludethe$20$25millionthattheCity,County,State,andprivate
sectorhavespentontheNorthCapitolCampusHeritageParksince1990.
MyfinalcommentwouldbefortheDraftPlantomoveupitsplansto
102
expandWestBayParkandTrailtowithinthenext6yearsratherthan10to
20yearsasdiscussedonPage83oftheDraftPlan.
OtherwisethePlanlooksgreat.GladwewereabletogettheMetropolitan
ParksDistrictmeasurepassed.Thanksforallyoudo.
OPARD
Thankyouforyourkindwordsandforallyoudoaswell.Pleasesee
responsetotheIsthmusandWestBay(sections#3&#8)abovefor
proposedchangestothatsection.
MarilynGisser
Itisexcitingtoseethenewplan.2thingsareveryimportanttome:
email12/2/15
1.Playfieldsfororganizedsports,especiallyrecsoccer.
2.Safe,accessible,visibletrailstowalkandrun.Thatmeansintheopen,
andwide,evensurfaces;notnarrow,bumpypathsinwoodedravines.
OPARD
Weareproposingsignificantinvestmentsinsoccerfields(seeresponseto
soccercommentsection#4above.)Andthanksforyourcommentsabout
trails.Wewillcontinuetoimprovetrailgradient,bridgesandsurfacingas
resourcesallowandhaveaddedthefollowinglanguagetotheplan
regardingtrailstandards:
SophiaDanilowicz Iamsurprisedanddelightedtohearaboutfuturedevelopmentsaround
email12/2/15
Olympiatoimprovethequalityoflife.
WithregardstotheNovember17thCityCouncilmeetingontheproposal,I
wouldliketoshareacoupleofcommentsthatmayprovehelpfulin
considerationofexecutionoftheplanstodevelopthequalityoflife.
Firstandforemostistoconsiderthefactthatmostoftheyearisrainyin
Olympia.Olympiahasauniquemicroclimate,thatmakestrailrunning,
andifpermissible,cyclingandbikingverylovelyanddesirable.However,
withregardstoaskatepark,thatwouldneedarooftopreventrainwater
fromentering,otherwisewouldhavetobemadeindoors;whichwould
addtothecostofoverallmaintenanceanddevelopment.Likewise,onlya
veryspecificagegroupandgenderprimarilyskateboards;thusIdont
thinkitisthebestoptionofcommunitydevelopment,duetotherain
fallingmostoftheyear,andduetothefactthataskateparkwouldservea
veryparticulargroupsinterest.Unliketheskatepark,morewater
fountainswouldattractveryyoungchildren,however,theyrequire
constantmaintenance,anddontreallyserveanyotherpurposebesides
beingcostly.
Secondly,focusingonthefactthatwalkingtrailscanbeusedformountain
biking,andrunning,orwalkingdogs,Ibelievethosetrailsshouldbeof
prioritytodeveloparoundOlympia.Likewise,trailsdonotrequiremajor
buildingsormaintenance.Trailsalsopreservethenaturalbeautyofthe
oldgrowthforests,andwatershedareas.Becausetrailsarelow
103
maintenance,andareenjoyedbyagreatrangeofagedpersons,
additionally,theypreservenaturalopenspace,trailsaretrulythebest
outdoorrecreationalparktocreate.
Thirdly,increasingandimprovinguponbikingtrailswillalsogreatly
improvethegeneralqualityoflocallife.Why?Becausedrivingisdoneon
highways,andhighwaysseemtooccupythegreatexpanseonWSDOTs
ownagenda.Withregardstobuildingparksforneighborhoods,thatisalso
goodforfamilylife,henceshouldbefundedandfiguredbytherelative
homeownersassociations,oratleastcoworkedwithsuchorganizations.
Howaboutthebeautifulsound?Whynotcleanupthesoundandmakeit
possibleforpeopletokayakinthearea?
Ifrecreationistrulyofinterest,especiallywithregardstotourism,there
willhavetobeanunderstandingofwhoyouarebuildingtheparks,or
trailsfor,ifittrulyisforthelocalcommunities,thentrails,bikepaths,and
kayakingaccesswouldbethemostgeneraldevelopmentthatwouldserve
themostpeoplesinterestinOlympia,withoutthehighcostsof
maintenance,ormajorneedforenforcedparksandrecofficialsconstantly
beingpresent.
Also,Iunderstandparksandrec.officialswhowillbetrainedtoprotect
moresothanmaintaintheparks,whydevelopparksthatwouldattract
homelesspeople?Whycreateparkswithtoomanybenchestobeslept
on?Whycreateparkswithfiguresorstatueswhoseveneerdonot
contributetothenaturalbeauty?Perhapstrailsforwalking,pathsfor
biking,andwateraccessforkayakingisinfactthebestwaytoimprove
thequalityoflifeinOlympia,foritsresidents,andlikewise,forthefuture
touristswhowanttoseetheoldgrowthregions,andthebeautifulbright
greenforeststhatthrivefromtheyearroundrainfall.
Lastly,withregardstojuvenilehomelessness,theonlythingIcanthinkof
wouldbeforsocialservicesthatupholdhalfwayhouses.Thatwaythe
homelesspersonscanattempttobuildthemselvesupbyhavingahome,
andattheveryleastbeingoffthestreets.Andyes,Olympias
homelessnesshasgoneupsignificantly,anditisduetothefactthat
shrinesarebeingformedaroundthingsliketheoldaquiferthats
constantlyrunningdowntown.Likewisecreatingpublicstructureswith
roofingandbathroomswillonlymakehomelessnessmorefeasible.But
insofarasthefamilycellisattackedandeachindividualstrivesforhisor
herowngood,thegoodtheystriveforwillnotbeforthebestupbringing
ofachild,norforthebestupbringingofwellbehavedandproperly
104
functioningcitizens.Soforgettheskatepark,forgetthediscgolf,and
changeyourmindaboutthewaterfountains.Thinkneighborhoodparks
forfamiliesandaplethoraofwalkingtrails,bikingpaths,andkayaking
access.Honestly,thinkaboutwhoyouwanttobuildfor?Forthefamily,or
thelonestraggler?
Apologiesforthesomewhatnonlinearcommentary,but,Imustoffermy
opiniongivenmyownexperiencehavinggrownupinOlympia,andseeing
Laceydevelopintohighwaysandstripmalls.Olympia,especially
downtownhasagrandcharmtoit,anditwillonlybepreservedby
preservingthenaturalenvironmentaroundit,andthatmeansconsidering
minimallyimpactingtrails,bikepaths,treesinbetweensidewalksand
streetstoprotectpedestrians,andaccesstokayakingareasandaccessto
hikingtrails.Justaboutallsuperfluousupbuildingofbenches,or
buildings,willonlyaddtothecostofmaintenanceovertime.Likewise,will
createanartificialhomeforthehomeless.Iknowtrailsareoftheleast
priority,andnotasprettytothevainsightofonewhodrivesthrough
downtownasastatueorartinstallationis,however,theyarethemost
intelligentofoptions:becausetheyarelowcost,encouragephysical
exerciseintruenature,andtheywontbethebestoptiontocallhomefor
thehomelessjuvenileswhoarethrivingindowntownOlympiagivenallthe
publicplacesmadejustforthem.
ThankyouMr.Turloveforreadingthisemail,andthankyoufortakingthe
severalpointsintoconsideration.Imyselfwouldlovetoraisemyfamilyin
Olympia,butunfortunately,withthegreatdeclineofbusinessandsingle
mindeddevelopmentofpublicworksinthearea,familylifeisnot
necessarilythemostesteemedformoflife,andthatisclearlyevidentwith
thedevelopmentofshrinesandparksforpeoplewhoarehomeless,single
ortooyoungtounderstandwhatdevelopmentsencouragethebest
upbringingandbestwayoflife.Andyes,withoutafamily,howfardo
mostget?
Iamleavingyouwithsomethoughts.Idohopeyoullbeableto
acknowledgetheissuesalreadyforeseenbythecitycouncilmembers.I
myselfamabletoseemorefromtheirperspectivethanfromthepublics.
Andwouldprefertohavelesshomelessness,andmoreplacesforthe
familytogotogether,ratherthanplacesforthehomelesstotakerefuge.
ButIcanonlyoffermythoughts,whatyoudowiththemisofyourown
will.MyfondestmemoriesofOlympiaareofwalkswithmyparentsaround
capitallake,trailrunningonthetrailsallarounddowntown,andcyclingon
anynonrainyday.Otherthanthat,allmyfavoritecoffeeshopsand
bakerieshaveclosed,andanabundanceofrunawayshaveaccumulated
105
inthemainpartsofthecitythatmakeitunpleasanttowalkthrough.
OPARD
Thankyouforyourcomments.Manyofyourideashavebeenaddressedin
previouscomments.Idowanttotouchonacoupleofyourcomments,
however.WehavefoundtheskatecourtatYaugerParktobeavery
popularrecreationalamenitydespiteitbeinguncovered.Wearetherefore
proposinganadditionalskatecourtaspartofafuturecommunitypark
site.Youmentionyourdesireformoretrails.Youmaybepleasedtoknow
thatthePlanproposesover$5millioninopenspace/trailacquisition.
PatRasmussen
CommentsNewParksPlanfor2016
email12/2/15
IattendedalleightneighborhoodmeetingsandIwouldliketosaythatthe
plandoesrespondtothepubliccommentsIheardatthoseeightmeetings.
Goodjob.Thankyou.
Youaskedwhatyoumighthavemissedormisunderstood.Belowaremy
commentsonwhatIseemissingthatIheardexpressed.
P.5LandAcquisition
Theplancallsfor417acresoflandacquisitionoverthe20yearplanning
horizon.Thisincludes:
LBAWoods(74acres)
AtalleightmeetingspeoplespokeuptosaytheywantedLBAWoodstobe
purchasedtobecomeaparkandoftennumerouspeoplespokeoutforLBA
Woodsacquisitioninthesamemeetings.ButtheyallsaidthewholeLBA
Woods,notjusthalfofit.The74acreTrilliumpropertyintheplanis
mentionedasbeingpurchasedbutnotBentridge.Itsincompletetojust
includetheTrilliumproperty.Youmentioneightqualificationsforchoosing
landstoacquireandoneofthemisawillingseller.Myunderstandingis
thattheownerofBentridgeisawillingseller.Bentridgemustbeincluded
inthefinalplaninawaythatreflectswhatpeoplecalledfor,whichwas
purchaseoftheentireLBAWoods.
IntheearlierneighborhoodmeetingslastfallwhenpeopleaskedforLBA
Woodstobepurchased,parkstaffsaiditwasntpossiblebecausethere
wouldntbemoneyforituntilafter2016.Iappreciatethatastimewentby
andmoreandmorepeoplespokeupaboutLBAWoods,youchangedyour
stanceandbegantosaythatifthecitycouncildirectedyoutoacquireLBA
Woods,youwoulddoyourbesttogetitandyoudidthatforTrillium.
Thankyou.Andthankyouforworkingwithparkadvocatestoshapethe
MPDandhelptogetitpassed.Thismakesitpossibleforthepeoplewho
attendedtheneighborhoodmeetingstogetwhattheywererequesting.
ParkDevelopment
Dogpark,discgolfcourse,skatecourtandcommunitygardens
106
Thankyouforincludingthecommunitygardensinparkdevelopmentasit
wasbroughtupatalmostallmeetings.Ilookforwardtoworkingwithyou
todevelopcommunitygardensinparks.
P.10MostDominantThemes(Topicsmentioned20ormoretimes)
BuytheLBAWoodsproperty
Again,LBAWoodswasdominantbutitwasthewholeLBAWoods,nothalf
ofit.Bentridgemustbenamedinaspecificwayinthefinalplan.Yousay
thatyoudontmentionspecificparcelsbecauseitmighthinderyour
negotiations,butinthecaseofBentridge,itisnecessarybecauseofthe
popularityofLBAWoodsacquisition.Forclarityandtotrulyrespondto
peoplescomments,Bentridgemustbenamedandtreatedaspartofthe
plan.
P.11OtherCommonThemes(Topicsmentioned59Times)
Providefoodforestsinparks(fruit/nuttrees,berrybushes)
Ihavehelpedtoinstallmorethan70EdibleForestGardensinprivate
yards,schools,communitygardens,neighborhoodpathwaysand
businessesinOlympia.Ilookforwardtoworkingwithyoutoadvancethis
goal.Irememberthatcommunitygardenswerealsoacommontheme.
Specifically,inmyOlySpeakscommentsImentionedparkswhereIfelt
thatfruit/nuttreesandberrybushescouldbeplanted:SunrisePark(asan
additiontothecommunitygardenthere),FriendlyGrovePark(theland
usedtobeberryfieldssoitwouldfitwiththehistoryandthemeofthe
park),andBigelowSpringsinconjunctionwiththeheritageorchardthat
theBigelowNeighborhoodAssociationandtheBigelowHouseMuseum
areestablishingadjacenttoitusingCityofOlympianeighborhood
matchinggrantfunds,withthehelpofmylocalnonprofitEdibleForest
Gardens.
P.22Youmentionincludesecurityguardsandsecuritycamerasinparks
forsafety.
Ithinksecurityguardsinparksisnotsomethingthatpeoplerequested.
Securitycameras,maybe.Buthavingapolicepresenceinparkswouldnot
begood.Peoplewanttofeelsafe,butthatgoestoofar.Aparkranger
watchingovertheparkisnormalandwouldnotmakepeoplefeel
intimidated.Havingsecurityguardswouldchangethefeelofgoingtoa
parktorelax.Itcouldalsoinviteviolence.TheCityandothershavebeen
comingupwithcreativewaystoimprovethesituationattheartesianwell.
Iamveryagainstsecurityguards.
P.32IntegratedPestManagement&PesticideFreeParks
TheCityCounciladoptedanIntegratedPestManagementPlanforpark
facilitiesin2006.Sinceitsimplementation,theDepartmenthasreduced
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relianceonchemicalsoncethoughttobecriticaltomaintainingparks.At
present,theDepartmentuseslimitedamountsofglyphosate(RoundUp)
andsyntheticfertilizersonsomeparkswhilesixneighborhoodparksare
nowdesignatedPesticideFreewithnoherbicides,pesticides,or
syntheticfertilizersusedatall.TheCityalsoworkscloselywiththe
ThurstonCountyNoxiousWeedProgramtoeradicatenoxiousweeds,
someofwhichmustberemovedundercountymandate.
Allparksneedtobepesticidefree.YoumentionglyphosateRoundup.
InrecentyearsRounduphasbeendeterminedtobecancercausingandin
factCaliforniajustnameditcarcinogenic
http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/2015/09/glyphosateroundup
labelledcarcinogen.Inparticularithasbeenlinkedwithautisminchildren
seehttp://www.anhusa.org/halfofallchildrenwillbeautisticby2025
warnsseniorresearchscientistatmit/.UsingRoundupinparkswhere
childrenareplayingisirresponsible.Your2006integratedpest
managementplanneedstobeupdatedtoreflectcurrentscienceand
medicalconcerns.Theplanshouldcommittobeingpesticidefreeinall
parks.Ifyoucandoitinsixparks,youcandoitinallofthem.
P.33Anumberofpeopleatmeetingsbroughtupvolunteerpark
stewardship.Parksstaffrepeatedlysaidtherewerentfundstotakecareof
parks.Sopeoplevolunteeredtohelpout.Ithinkateveryneighborhood
meeting,individualswhowerejustneighborsorinneighborhood
associationsaskedforbetterinvolvementoftheirvolunteeractivitiesin
parkcare.Theimpressionwasthatparksstaffwerentinterestedintheir
helptheywantedparkstafftodoitthemselves.Peopleexpressed
frustrationwiththatsincetheyweredoingtheworkalreadyinspecific
parks.Intheplanyoudomentionparkstewardshipasifitsnormal,soI
hopethatmeansyouwillworkbetterinthefuturewiththosevolunteers.
PerhapsthepassageoftheMPDwillmakethatmoreapartofthenew
plan.
ParkStewardsworkindependentlywithinaparkoftheirchoosing.And
finally,theAdoptaParkprogramencourageslocalneighborhood
organizations,schools,serviceclubs,businesses,andothercommunity
groupstoadoptaparticularpark.
P.88LBAWoodsAcquisition
LBAWoodsreferstotwoundevelopedwooded74acreand72acre
parcelsadjacent(onpage93yousayits74acreand80acre)toLBAPark
inSoutheastOlympia.InJuly,2015,theCityenteredintoanoptionto
purchasethe74acreMorseMerrymanparcel.Whileagoalistopreserve
asmuchopenspaceaspossible,aportionofthesitecouldbeutilizedfor
108
athleticfields.Additionalefficienciesarepresentedbytheparcelslocation
adjacenttotheexistingdevelopedsupportfacilitiesatLBAPark.Field
investigationsindicatethatathleticfielddrainageproblemscurrentlybeing
experiencedatLBAParkcanbesolvedinacosteffectivemannerby
drainingthesefieldsintoaformerquarryexcavationlocatednearbyonthe
parcel.
ProposedAction:Thisplanbudgets$4.5millionin2017foracquisitionof
the74acreMorseMerrymanLBAWoodsparcel.Whileagoalisto
preserveasmuchopenspaceaspossible,aportionofthesitecouldbe
utilizedforathleticfields.Additionalefficienciesarepresentedbythe
parcelslocationadjacenttotheexistingdevelopedsupportfacilitiesat
LBAPark.
PeoplewhocommentedatthemeetingscalledforLBAWoodstobea
naturalareawithtrailsthatwouldpreservethenaturalcharacterofthe
woodsthatpeopleloveandthatchildrencherish.Theydidnotmention
wantinganyofLBAWoodstobecutupintoballfields.Peopledidaskfor
ballfields,butnotinLBAWoods,anaturalarea.Ithinkyoumisunderstood
andmisinterpretedthat.Thatmustbechangedinthefinalplan.Someone
incitygovernmentorparksstaffcameupwiththeideatoincludeLBA
Woodsinthatstudyforballfields,notthepeople.InclusionofLBAWoods
inthatstudywasinappropriateandquitefrustrating.
.
P.89FutureLandAcquisition
InordertoprotecttheCitysnegotiatingposition,itisnotalwayspossible
ordesirabletoidentifyspecificparcelstoacquireforfutureparksinaparks
plan.Eachparcelrequiresawillingsellerandconsiderablenegotiationin
ordertosecureapurchaseandsaleagreement.Inrecognitionofthis,the
planincludesaLandAcquisitionfundin2017.Thisfundistobeutilizedfor
openspaceand/orcommunityparkacquisitionopportunitiesthatwould
furtherthegoalsandpoliciesoftheplanandhelpachievetheplansLevel
ofServiceStandards.TheCitywouldutilizethefollowingcriteriato
evaluatepotentialpurchaseswiththisfund(listedinnoparticularorder):
Willingseller
Goodvalue
Goodlocation
Limitedenvironmentalconcerns
Goodrecreationand/orhabitatvalue
PropertywouldhelpachieveparkLevelofServiceStandardsorisan
importanttrailcorridor
Propertyisinanunderservedpartofthecommunity
Reasonabledevelopmentcosts
109
Reasonablemaintenancecosts(bothwhileundevelopedandoncefully
developed)
ProposedAction:ThisplanincludesaLandAcquisitionfundin2017.Some
ofthesefundscouldgotowardstheacquisitionofathleticfieldoriented
communityparkproperty.
YoudonotmentionBentridgespecificallyhereasyoushould.AsIsaid
above,peopleinneighborhoodmeetingswhoaskedforLBAWoodstobe
acquiredaskedforthewholewoodstobeacquired,nothalfofit.To
excludeBentridgeintheparksplaniswronganddoesnotfollowpeoples
expressedwishes.Aboveyousayoneofthecriteriaforchoosingaparcel
forpurchaseisawillingseller.MyunderstandingisthatBentridgeisa
willingseller.IfyouarenotalreadynegotiatingwithBentridge,youshould
be.
P.90CommunityGardens
Bitingintothatfirstjuicytomatogrowninthebackyardisoneofthejoys
ofsummertime.Withincreasingurbandensity,fewerresidentshave
backyardslargeenoughforagardenormaynothavebackyardsatall.
Olympianssharethegrowingnationwideinterestinintegrating
communitygardensintotheirparkssystems.Communitygardensbring
thatexperienceto
morepeopleandbenefitthecommunityatlarge.In2007,OPARDopened
itsfirstcommunity
gardenatSunriseParkfollowedbyasecondcommunitygardenatYauger
Parkin2011.
Interestcontinuestogrowformorecommunitygardeningopportunities.
ProposedAction:Thisplanbudgets$1,000,000foraPhase1AthleticField
complexprojectin2021.Oneofthecomplimentaryamenitiesofthat
projectcouldbeacommunitygarden.
AsIsaidabove,IspecificallymentionedinmyoriginalOlySpeaks
commentsseveralparkswhereIfeltthatfruit/nuttreesandberrybushes
couldbeplanted:SunrisePark(asanadditiontothecommunitygarden
there),FriendlyGrovePark(thelandusedtobeberryfieldssoitwouldfit
withthehistoryandthemeofthepark),andBigelowSpringsParkin
conjunctionwiththeheritageorchardthattheBigelowNeighborhood
AssociationandtheBigelowHouseMuseumareestablishingusingCityof
Olympianeighborhoodmatchinggrantfunds,withmyhelp.
Theparksplanshouldbemoregeneral,leavingopentheoptionsforparks
beyondtheathleticcomplexyoumention.Irememberthatpeopleina
numberofneighborhoodsmentionedcommunitygardensinparks.
110
P.93LBAWoods
LBAWoodsreferstotwoundeveloped,wooded74acreand80acre(on
page88yousay74acreand72acre)parcelsadjacenttoLBAParkin
SoutheastOlympia.
YoumentionbothparcelsherebutyoudontincludeBentridgeintheplan
anywhere.ThatmustbechangedbecauseasIsaidabove,whenpeople
askedforLBAWoodstobeacquired,theyaskedforthewholewoods,not
halfofit.
P.1096YearCapitalFacilitiesPlan(20162021)
Again,thegraphdoesnotshowapurchaseplanforBentridgeinLBA
Woodsitshouldbespelledoutclearlyintheplan.Peopleaskedforthe
wholeLBAWoodstobeacquired,nothalfofit.AndsinceLBAWoods
receivedthemostcomments,Bentridgemustbeincluded.
OPARD
Thanksforsuchathoroughreadingoftheplan.WithregardstoLBA
Woodscomments,seeresponsetoLBAWoodssection(#1).Withregards
toothertopics,proposedchanges/clarifications:
Securityguards:Itisbynomeansourintenttoprovidesecurityguardsat
allofourparks.Thereare,however,someparksinwhichpeoplefeel
unsafeandhavingasecurityguardpatrolthoseparksmaybesomething
thatwewouldconsider.
PesticideFreeParks(P.32):TheDepartmentwillexplorethefeasibilityof
makingmoreparksPesticideFree.
RyanGarrison
email
11/23/15
LBAWoodsp.92:LBAWoodsreferstotwoundeveloped,wooded74
acreand8072acreparcelsadjacenttoLBAParkinSoutheastOlympia.
Mycommentsaremorefortherecreationsideofthings.
Olympiaislackingforindoorcourtspace.Basketball,volleyball,etc.The
parksandrecdepartmenttriestomakeduewithusingmiddleschoolsfor
leagues,buttheleaguesareexpensiveandthefacilitiesareinadequate.
Thebasketballcourtlocatedatthecommunitycenterdowntownis
horrible.Ifyoudon'tbelieveme,runonitfor5minutes.Itbounces.
Amultiuseindoorsportscomplexismysuggestion,ratherthanmore
soccerfields.
OPARD
Proposedadditiontotheplan:
111
swimmingpool,icerink,indoor athletic facilitiesand/oradditional
JimRainwood
AfterIspokeinfavoroftheCamarranodonationon12/1,SteveHalltalked
email12/1/15
withJackHortonandme.Theconversationwasabouttheneedfora
decisionmakingprocessforlanddonations.Aprocessthatwouldprovide
guidancetotheCouncilonwhattoconsiderandwhy.Theattached
proposalcameupinthatconversation(asanexampleofthe"ifitbordersa
park,buyit"category).I'mresendingittoyoutomakesureyouareaware
ofwhatI'vesenttoSteve,andalsobecauseIdidnotseespecificmention
oftheseparcelsinthedraftParksPlan.I'llbeoutoftownWed.andwon't
makethemeetingonit.
PlusI'msohappyaboutOWTphase3thatIdon'twanttoaskforanything
else!
Thanksagainforallyoudo,(3attachments)
OPARD
Thankyouforthisanalysisofparcels.Thiswillbehelpfulaswecontinue
acquiringproperty.
PaulBrewster
ImstartingtolookthroughtheParksPlanforconsistencywithSustainable
email12/1/15
Thurstonandtheregionaltrailsplan.Firstoff,youveproducedagreat
pieceofworkanditisevidentyouputagreatamountofeffortintoit.
Congratulationstoyouandyourcolleaguesonajobwelldone.
AfewitemscaughtmyattentionthatImsharingwithyou.First,aminor
typoinPaulSimmonswelcomeletter;inthefirstparagraphandthelast
sentence.Itshouldbecomplementedbymultipleopportunitiesrather
thancomplimented.VeryminorIrealize,butthetwowordshave
differentmeanings.
Ididnoticeanerroronthetableonpage19titledGrantsandDonations
ReceivedSince2010PlanAdopted.In2012,ThurstonRegionalPlanning
CouncilfundedtheOlympiaWoodlandTrailPhaseIVFeasibilityStudy,not
WSDOT.IbelieveitwaseitheranSTPorEnhancementsgrant.Alsoonpage
20,TRPCfundedtheWoodlandTrailHubJunctionproject.Whilethe
sourceoffundsforbothoftheseprojectsarefederalgrants,thegrant
programissetupinsuchawaythatTRPChasdiscretiontoselectprojects
112
forfunding.TheRegionalCouncil(policymakers,thatis)shouldreceive
creditwhereitisdue.
Theplanclearlystatesonpage22thatPublicDemandforNewParks
ExceedsResources.Thisisouruniversalchallengeforallpublicfacilities
andservices.Assuchweneedcreativesolutions.Ithinktheplancando
moretopointoutthatsomeparksprojectssuchastrailsfunctionas
regionalfacilitiesandmayrequiremorecollaborativesolutions.Ithinkthe
WoodlandTrailissuchafacilityandtheChehalisWesternTrailBridgingthe
Gapisacasestudyforhowsuchprojectscanbeimplemented.The
WoodlandTrailisahighprofileprojectatTRPCandtheMayorof
Tumwaterisalsostronglysupportiveofitprogressingforwardinsome
manner(nottoforgettheWTGA).Afterall,thisisacriticalconnectionto
tieTumwaterintotheregionaltrailsnetwork.Itwouldenhancetheparks
plangreatly,toaccountforsuchprojectsandidentifystrategiesfor
partneringwithneighboringcommunitiesandregional,state,andfederal
partnerstomakethemhappen.ThurstonRegionalPlanningCouncilisa
convenerofsucheffortsandIencouragetheCitytocontinueleveraging
thispartnership.Theseopportunitiescanbenefitprojecttimelinesand
perhapsfreeupfundingforothercityprojectsinthelongrun.
Intermsofperformancemeasures,mayIsuggestyouconsiderthenumber
ofvisitorsoruserstoparksfacilities.Thiscanbeaccomplishedthrough
directobservationorthroughtubecountersatparkentrancedrivewaysor
usinginfraredtrailcounters.WSDOTjustinstalledatrailcounteratthe
junctionoftheCWTandwoodlandtrail.Weneedmorecounterslikethis.
Itwouldbenicetoseesomelanguagesupportingthiseffort.JohnLindsey
fromOlympiapublicworksregularlyperformstrafficcountsaroundthe
City.PerhapsOlympiaParkscouldpartnerwithPublicWorkstoexplore
optionsforcountingusers,notjustontrails,butatotherparkfacilities.
Levelofserviceismorethannumberofacresofopenspaceper1,000
people.Itcanalsobemeasuredintermsofdemandandtimingofusefor
facilitiesveryusefulforplanning.
Thanksfortheopportunitytocomment.Iwillforwardother
comments/observationsonasappropriate.
OPARD
Proposedchanges:
Correctedtypoinwelcomeletter.
AddedTRPCtogranttableforOWTPhaseIVFeasibilityStudyandHub
Junctionprojects
113
AddedlanguageregardingpartneringatendofOlympiaWoodlandTrail
paragraphonp.84:Thefirsttwophasesofthetrailwerebuiltutilizing
strongpartnershipswiththeWoodlandTrailGreenwayAssociation,
WashingtonDepartmentofTransportation,andThurstonRegional
PlanningCouncil.TheCitywillseektocontinueandexpandthese
partnershipsmovingforwardwithPhases3and4.
Wildwood
Iamwritingonbehalfofthemorethan200householdsthatcomprisethe
Neighborhood
WildwoodNeighborhoodAssociation(WNA)withcommentsintendedfor
Association
theParksPlanprocess.IhopethatIhavenotmissedyourdeadlinefor
Board:
acceptingcommentsandthatthesecanbeconsideredaspartofthe
DavidGoularte,
record.
AdamsStreet
JanaeHuber,
PARKINGWATERSHEDPARKANDOLYMPIAWOODLANDTRAIL
Chair,Buker
WNAstronglyencouragestheCitytopurchaseLot4oftheHendersonPark
Street
property.Lot4iscurrentlyforsaleandoffersoptimalparkingfortwokey
BonnieKnudsen, Parksassets:WatershedParkandthefutureOlympiaWoodlandTrail.
GallowayStreet
Threeadditionallotsonthesameparcelarecurrentlyunderproposalfor
MaryBethLang, development,increasingthelikelyvisibilityanduseofthisareabylocals
ViceChair,
andvisitorsalike.
GallowayStreet
ChristineMasters, OLYMPIAWOODLANDTRAIL
Secretary,Buker WNAalsostronglyencouragestheCitytoprioritizeeffortstofundthe
Street
developmentofPhases3and4oftheOlympiaWoodlandTrail.This
MarthaShinners, regionaltrailsystemprovidesopportunitiestoconnectOlympiaandthe
O'FarrellAvenue surroundingregionforbikesandpedestrians,providingcritical
SteveWorcester, enhancementstoournonmotorizedtransportationandrecreational
Treasurer,Otis
infrastructures.
Street
Letter11/30/15
WILDWOODGLEN
WerequestthattheWildwoodGlenparcel,anundevelopedpocketpark,
remainapriorityforinterimusefunding.Welookforwardtofuture
opportunitiestobeapartoftheParksPlanplanningprocess!
OPARD
OlympiaWoodlandTrailandWatershedParking:Seeresponsefrom
WildwoodNeighborhoodOlySpeakscommentabove.WildwoodGlen:
WildwoodGlenisclassifiedasanOpenSpaceasopposedtoa
neighborhoodparksowewouldlikelynotmakesubstantial
improvementstothatpark,particularlyconsideringthesteepslopes.
JoeyZarateemail
12/9/15
Iwasemailinginthehopethatwouldconsiderfundingthecompletionof
theWardLakepublicswimarea.IhavebeenaresidentofOlympiasince
2009andamquiteproudofrecreationalopportunitiesaffordedbyour
city.Theoneglaringomissioninmyopinionisapublicswimarea.My
familyandIfrequentLongLakeinLaceybutIwouldhopethatwhenmy
114
youngchildrenareoldenoughtheywouldbeabletoswimsomewhere
closertohome.
Thankyouforyourattention,
OPARD
Theplanbudgetsapproximately$9millionforacommunityparkprojectin
20222035.WardLakeswimbeachcouldbethatprojectascouldother
communityparkprojects.Sincethatisover6yearsaway,therewillbe
anotherParkplaninplacebeforethattimesocommunityprioritieswould
beassessedatduringthatplanningprocess.
LisaRiemeremail IamnotpleasedthattheCityofOlympia'sparksplanspecifiesthatabout
12/1/15
1/2oftheLBAWoodswillbeacquiredinthenearfuture.Therearemany
otherparcelsthatshouldbeconsidered.Therearemanyotherwaysto
spendthatmoney,likesidewalksfortheneighborhoods.
ThankstothepassageofProposition1,theCityhasadefinitefunding
source.IdonotsupporttopurchaseoftheTrillium"halfoftheLBAwoods
about75acres.IdosupportthecityofOlympiapayingforsidewalks.
TheElliotSt.NWsidewalkhasbeenpromisedtotheneighborsfor
decades.Itisadangerousarea.WeneedasidewalkonElliotSt.Thank
YOU
OPARD
TheacquisitionofLBAWoodswasthemostrequestedprojectduringour
publicplanningprocesssoweincludeditintheplan.Astoyoursidewalk
requestIforwardedittoPublicWorksTransportationplanningstaffwho
overseethatprogram.
Email12/3/15
WeshouldhavemoreandONEWEEK'snoticeformeetinginvites!Thank
you.
OPARD
Sorryyoudidntgetsufficientnoticeforthemeeting.Theparkplanning
processhasbeenongoingsinceNovember,2014,andateveryopportunity
wehavepublicizedthedatesforpublicinvolvement.Twoweeksbefore
themeetingwesentamediareleaseoutwithinformationonthemeeting,
sentthatinformationtoallrecognizedneighborhoodassociations,and
posteditonourwebsite.Ifyoumissedthemeetingbutwanttocomment
ontheplan,youarewelcometoemailmeyourcomments.
LindaKunzeemail ThankyoufortheopportunitytocommentonthedraftOlympiaParks,
12/8/15
ArtsandRecreationPlan.IamverypleasedthattheMetropolitanParks
Initiativepassedandthatwewillnowhaveabetterandmoreconsistent
fundingsourceforourparks.Ihopethisplanwhencompletedwillprovide
acomprehensiveframeworkformovingforwardwithmanagementand
expansionofourparksystem.
115
Mycommentsfocusonnaturalparks(openspace).Ingeneral,Iwouldlike
theplantobetteraddressassessment,planningandmanagementof
nativeecosystems/habitatsbothwithinexistingparksandinplanningfor
expansionoftheparksystem.Ithinknaturalparksareacriticalpartofthe
urbanenvironment:providingbalancetothebuiltenvironment;
maintaininghabitatfornativespeciesofplantsandanimals;providing
opportunitiesforresidentstoexperiencethenaturalworld;andhelpingto
supportamoresustainablelandscape.Formeitisakeypartofqualityof
lifeandisoneofthecriticalcharacteristicsthatmakesOlympiasucha
wonderfulplacetolive.
Iwouldliketoseeintheplancleardirectiontodevelopandupdate
ecosystem/habitatassessmentsforallofournaturalparks.Assessments
couldincludetopography,hydrology,geology,soils,positionwithinthe
drainagebasin,plantassociationsandcommunities,plantandanimal
speciesinventories,structuralanalysis,existingandpotentialhabitats,
relationshiptootherundevelopedhabitat,andwildlife
corridors.Additionallytheassessmentsshouldincludethreatstothe
naturalsystemsincludingnonnativespecies,edgeeffects,isolationfrom
othernaturalsystems,viability,sustainability,pollutants,damaginguses,
andexternalimpacts.
FromtheseassessmentsIwouldliketheplantodirectthedevelopment
andperiodicupdatesofmanagementplansforeachparktoincludelong
rangegoals,measurablestepstoreachthosegoals,andmonitoring
programs.
AdditionallyIwouldliketoseetheplanbetteraddressthepotentialto
developanetworkofhabitatsthatincludeotherownershipsstate,
countyandprivatetoenhancehabitatvaluesintheregion.
FundingiscriticaltomanagingurbannaturalparksandIamadvocatingfor
increasedfundingforplanningandmanagement.Inanurbansetting
nativeecosystemscannotmaintainthemselves,theyrequireintervention
andmanagementtobesustained,otherwisetheywilldeteriorate.Good
manageofournaturalparksrequiresdedicatedfundingfor
maintenance.Currentvolunteereffortstomanagetheseparksisfabulous
butisnotsufficienttotheneed.
SpecificComments:
Page31,Figure4.3:Itisstrikingtolearnthatonly1%ofparkmaintenance
hoursarespentonnaturalresourcemanagementofparks.Giventhe
116
numberofacresofnaturalparksIwouldexpectamuchgreaterinvestment
oftimeformanagement.Arethingslikeinvasivespeciescontrolincluded
insomeothercategoryoristhisreallythepercentofmaintenancehours
allocatedtonaturalecosystemmanagement?
Page32:TheNaturalResourceManagementsectionseemstoindicatethat
managementofnativeecosystemswithinparksisdoneexclusivelythrough
volunteersandgrants.Isthatcorrect?Arethereprovisionsforhiring
crewstotakeoninvasivespeciesissues?Thenaturalresource
managementneedsintheparksIamfamiliarwithfarexceedwhat
volunteereffortscanaddress.Ithinkthereneedstobededicatedfundsfor
thingslikeassessingecosystems,developingmanagementplans,
controllingnonnativeinvasivespeciesandmanagingfornativesystem
characteristics.Volunteersandgrantsareimportantbutweneed
dedicatedcityfundstoo.
Ithinkitisimportanttoincludemorespecificplanstoeliminate/control
nonnativeinvasivespeciesandrestorenativehabitatsintheOPARP.
Pages3334:TheParkStewardshipProgramisawonderfulbutifitisthe
solemeansformanagingnativeecosystemswithintheparksitneedstobe
expandedtoincludestaffandfundingtodoecosystemassessments,
developmanagementplansandstaffcrewstodoinvasivespeciescontrol
andotherecosystemrestorationandmanagement.
AswiththeDowntownParkssectionIwouldliketheplantoidentifythe
naturalresourceneedsineachoftheopenspace/naturalparks.
Pages4143:ThesectiononHabitatinOlympiasParksandOpenSpace
Systemseemsprettybrief.Ithinkthissectionshouldbeexpandedto
provideinformationonthetypesofhabitats,neededassessments,
monitoringprograms,andneededhabitatrestorationforeachparkwith
naturalhabitatvaluesandreferenceexistingplans.
Aswonderfulastheyare,thepartialspecieslistsmightbebetterinan
appendix.
Isthereaplanfordevelopingcorridorstolinkparksthathavewildlife
habitat?Imverycuriousabouttheproposedhabitatacquisitions
identifiedonmap4.2.Arethesepartoftheplan?
Page55PR3.2:Forme,havingopenspace/naturalparksthathavehealthy
ecosystemsfreeofinvasivespeciesiscriticaltomyexperienceofthe
117
park.Aparkwithsignificantpopulationsofinvasivespeciesisextremely
stressfulformeandIhaveheardothersexpresssimilarfeelings.
Page56PR3.4:Ihopetheidentificationprocessforneworexpanded
parksincludesassessmentsofhabitatandtheirlongtermviabilityand
sustainability.AspartofthatassessmentIhopetherewillbeidentification
ofimportantcorridorsbetweenareastoprovidelinkagesforwildlife.Page
60,PN2.1andPN2.2seemrelated.
Page57PR6.2:MyexpectationisthatwiththenewMetropolitanParks
Districttherewillbemorefundingtomanagenaturalparks.
Page59PN1.4:Ithinkmuchmoreplanningandmanagementisneededto
conserveandrestorenaturalsystemsinourparks.Invasivespecies,
incompatibleusesandexternalinfluencesaredegradingourparksandthe
currentlevelofinvestmentdoesnotseemadequatetoaddressthem.
Page60PN2.1:Ithinkitwouldbevaluabletodoassessmentsofcritical
habitatsandconnectivityaspartofplanningforadditionalpark
acquisitions.
ItisgoodtoseethatfortheWestBayWoodsareathereissomeanalysisof
habitatandecosystemconservationvaluesbeingusedtoidentifyareas
withpotentialforacquisition.Ifithasntbeendone,itwouldbeusefulto
doassessmentsforallofOlympiaandtheUGB.Evaluatingecosystem
valuesandfunctionsarecriticaltodevelopingamoresustainableand
viablenativeecosystemwithintheurbanarea.
Page60PN2.2isveryimportant.
Page60PN2.3iscritical.Iseeverylittleintheplanaboutfunded
maintenanceofnaturalecosystems.Itseemsthatmostoftheinvasive
speciescontrolisdonewithvolunteers.Theinvasivespeciescontrolneeds
inOlympiaParksappearsfargreaterthanavolunteerprogramalonecan
tackle.Arethereprovisionsforhiringcrewstotakeoninvasivespecies
issues?
Page60PN2.4Ihopethispointincludesrestoringecosystemsspecies,
structureandfunctionstothegreatestlevelpossible.Thiswillrequire
assessmentsofcurrentconditionsandplansfordevelopingdesired
conditionsandcharacteristics.
Page60PN2.6:Willtherebeassessmentsandplansdeveloped?Ihope
118
thisincludesconnectionsbetweenCityownedlandsandlandsownedby
othersthatprovidehabitat.
Page60PN2.8:Assessingconditions,settinggoals,developingplansand
thenmonitoringoutcomesissocritical.Monitoringissoimportantandis
oftenomittedduetoexpense.
Page60GN3:Imnotsurewhatismeantbyanurbanforest.Isthisonly
aboutstreettrees?Doesitincludeundevelopablegreenbelts?How
aboutlandinotherthanCityownership?
Pages8487:TheexistingParksandOpenSpacesCurrentConditionsand
ProposedProjectssectionisremarkableinitslackofprojectsrelatedto
habitat/ecosystemassessmentsandrestoration.Thisworkiscriticaland
mustbefundedvolunteersarenotsufficienttoaddresstheneeds.Isee
verylittleintheplanaboutfundedassessmentsandmaintenanceof
naturalecosystems.
Openspaceparksthatdonotalreadyhavethemneedtobeassessedfor
theircurrentandpotentialecosystem/habitatvaluesandplansdeveloped
tomanagethesites.The1997planforGrassLakecoulduseupdating.The
2008PriestPointParkMaintenancePlanismoreofafacilitiesplanand
doesntreallyaddressthenaturalecosystem.
Inanurbansettingnativeecosystemscannotmaintainthemselves,they
requireinterventionandmanagementtobesustained,otherwisetheywill
deteriorate.Maintaininghealthyecosystemsisarealchallengeand
requiresactivemanagementwhichinturnrequiresdataonthesystems
andplanstomovethemtowardsthedesiredconditions.Itwouldseem
usefultohaveahabitatspecialistonstafftodoassessments,write
managementplans,designprojects,developworkplans,anddo
monitoring.Theplanwouldalsobenefitfrombenchmarksforevaluating
habitatandrestoringnativeecosystemswithintheparks.
Itseemsthatmostoftheinvasivespeciescontrolisdonewith
volunteers.TheinvasivespeciescontrolneedsinOlympiaParksappears
fargreaterthanavolunteerprogramalonecantackle.Arethere
provisionsforhiringcrewstotakeoninvasivespeciesissues?
Page9394NewOpenSpace/TrailLandandDevelopment:Itisgoodtosee
thatfortheWestBayWoodsareathereissomeanalysisofhabitatand
ecosystemconservationvaluesbeingusedtoidentifyareaswithpotential
foracquisition.Ifithasntbeendone,itwouldbeusefultodoassessments
119
forallofOlympiaandtheUGB.Evaluatingecosystemvaluesandfunctions
arecriticaltodevelopingamoresustainableandviablenativeecosystem
withintheurbanarea.
Page109110:TheDepartmentPerformanceMeasurementsectionshould
includemeasuresfordevelopingmanagementplansandimplementing
identifiedhabitat/ecosystemprojects.
Ihopethesecommentsareuseful.Iappreciateallofthetimeandeffort
thathasgoneintoproducingthisdraftplanandlookforwardtothefinal
product.
OPARD
Thankyouforyourverythoughtfulandthoroughcommentsonthenatural
habitatcomponentoftheplan.Yes,youarecorrectthatcurrentlyhabitat
restorationisdoneprimarilyviavolunteersinourparks.Andyesyouare
correctthatvolunteers,whilemakingahugecontribution,arenotableto
singlehandedlymanagethenaturalresourcesofourparkssystem.By
includingahabitatcomponentinthisplan,thisplanmakestheCityeligible
forhabitatgrantsthroughtheWashingtonRecreationandConservation
Office.Weintendtovigorouslypursuethesetypesofgrantstobetter
managesomeofourmostcriticalparkhabitats.Wealsohavebeen
workingcloselywithPublicWorksEnvironmentalServiceswhohavebeen
providingtechnicalassistanceindevelopingmanagementplansforsome
ofournaturalareasaswellasspearheadingrestorationprojectsinseveral
ofourparks.Wearehopefulthatthisplansetsthestageforincreasingly
effectivemanagementofthenaturalareasinourparks.
JerryParkeremail Thankyouforaconcise,wellorganizedpresentationtothePlanning
12/9/15
Commissionlasteveningandforyourinformedresponsetoquestions.I
submitthisfollowuptoyourpresentationandresponsesasanindividual
residentofOlympiaandnotasamemberofthePlanningCommission.
ThesecommentsdonotrepresentthepositionoftheCommissionnorof
anyothermembersoftheCommission.
IacknowledgetheextensiveoutreachprogramtheCityhasconductedin
theformulationofthedraftParks,Arts,andRecreationPlan.However,I
amconcernedthattheproceduresandcommentperiodontheactualdraft
appearlessaccommodatingofpublicinvolvement.Iappreciatetheneedto
haveafinalplaninplaceinordertoapplyforgrantstofundprojectsinthe
Plan.Giventhelimitedopportunityforcommentonthisdraft,itwouldbe
usefultolayoutsubsequentopportunitiesforpubliccommentonfurther
iterationsofthePlan.
AsIindicatedlastnight,myprimaryconcernwiththedraftPlanisthe
potentialeffectoftheproposedmajorlandacquisitionsonthegoalsand
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policiesintheComprehensivePlanthatargueforacompactcitywith
densitiessufficientforincreasedtransit,improvedwalkability,and
reducedpressureforurbansprawlintoruralareas.Iseenoinherent
conflictbetweenincreasedparklandwithintheCityandthedensity
objectivesarticulatedintheComprehensivePlan.Ibelievethatspecific
policiesandactionsbytheCityarerequiredtoassurethattheresidential
developmentpreviouslyplannedforthelandsnowproposedfor
acquisitionforparksactuallyoccurintheCity.Irealizeformulationand
implementationofsuchpoliciesandactionsisoutsideofdirectjurisdiction
oftheParks,Arts,andRecreationDepartment.Iwillcommunicatethis
concerntothePlanningDepartmentbutInoteitforyourinformation.
GiventhepoliciesintheComprehensivePlanforacompactandwalkable
cityandthecurrentCityworkonadowntownstrategy,Iurgethatthe
draftPlanberevisedtoprovideforparkssmallerthanwhatIunderstand
tobetheproposedminimalsizeoffiveacres.Itisextremelyimportantthat
therebesmallparkslocatedwithinaconvenientdistancefromthoseareas
oftheCitymostlikelytodevelopinadenserpattern.Theseareas
obviouslyincludethedowntownandtheothertwohighdensitynodes.It
shouldalsoincludethosecorridorsdesignedashighdensitycorridors
andactualorpotentialneighborhoodcenters.Tofacilitatesuchplanning,I
stronglysuggestthatvacantparcelsintheCitybeidentifiedandevaluated
fortheirpotentialassmallneighborhoodparks,i.e.pocketparks.
Asstatedabove,amajorgoalintheComprehensivePlanistomakethe
Citymoreconducivetowalkingandtobiking.Inpart,thisrequireshigher
densitiesthatcansupportwalkingandbikingdestinationsclosertowhere
peoplelive.Butinpart,itrequiresimprovedwalkingandbiking
infrastructure.Giventheimportanceofwalkingandbikingtopublichealth
andtomeetingrecreationalneedsofthepublic,IsuggestthedraftPlan
acknowledgetheroleofwalkingandbikinginmeetingrecreationalneeds,
explainthedivisionofresponsibilitybetweentheParksDepartmentand
thePublicWorksDepartmentforpedestrianandbikefacilities,andworkto
assureallcurrentandfutureparkscanbeaccessedbywalkingorbiking.
TheintentinthedraftPlantoacquireampleparkandrecreationplanis
laudable.Thedesiretoacquirepotentialparklandmostthreatenedby
alternativedevelopmentislaudable.However,thedraftPlanappearstobe
attemptingtoridetwohorsesatonceadifficultfeat.Thisneedstobe
acknowledgedandanacceptablecompromisearticulated.
Severalspecificconcernsandquestionsfollow.
1.IfthelandpurchaseontheIsthmusisnotdevotedexclusivelytopark
use,willsomeorallofthefundsprovidedbytheCountybereturned?Ifso,
121
howwillthisaffecttheoverallbudget?
2.SpendingforPercivalLandingconstructionandforWestBayPark
expansionisnoted(p.82;p.83).MentionoftheBigWismadelaterin
thePlan(p.96).However,theredoesnotappeartobeprovisionforthe
otherportionsofapotentialBigWfacility.TheBigWcouldbeamajor
parkasset,asindicatedduringtheShorelineMasterPlanningprocess.
3.TheGarfieldNatureTrailisaparkgem(p85).Hasanyconsideration
beengiventoexpansionofthetrailtothewesttothesiteofthecurrent
pocketparkatMadisonandThomas?
4.ThediscussionoftheWoodlandTraildoesnotmentionpossibleuseof
impactfeestofundaportionofthetrail.(p.86)Basedondiscussionlast
evening,theproposedmotelsadjacenttothetraildonotpayparkimpact
fees.Ibelievethisisamajormistake.Theproposedconstructionimposes
significantcoststotheCityand,mostimportantly,toadjacentresidentsin
theformofnoise,light,traffic,andlossofnaturalhabitat.Therefore,I
believetheParkDepartmentshouldrecommendthattheCouncilgive
considerationtorevisingimpactfeepoliciestoprovideforcompensationin
theformofparkfacilitiesfromtheseandothercommercialdevelopments
thatareadjacenttoparkfacilities.
5.ThedraftPlanproposesanArtsCenterin2022(p.90).Therelationof
suchacentertoaproposedArtSpacethatwouldprovideforbothartists
residentialneedsandworkshopanddisplayspaceshouldbeclarifiedinthe
draftPlan
OPARD
Isthmusquestion:IftheareaontheIsthmuspurchasedwithConservation
Futurefundsisnotultimatelyutilizedforapark,staffwouldexplorethe
rulesofthatgrantingprogramtodetermineifthosefundswouldneedto
bereturned.
ParkImpactFees:YoumakeagoodpointthattheCityshouldconsiderthe
ideaofcollectingimpactfeesoncommercialdevelopment.Oncethisplan
isadopted,theCitywillconductaParkImpactFeeRateStudythatcould
exploretheviabilityofchargingparkimpactfeesforcommercial
development.
ArtsCenter:Proposedchange:Proposedadditionallanguageaddedto
endofArtsCentersectiononp.89:Therehasalsobeenanongoingeffort
toprovideworkforceartisthousinginthecommunity.TheOlympia
ArtspaceAlliancewasestablishedasanonprofitorganizationin2011to
create,fosterandpreserveaffordableliveandworkspaceforartistsand
122
artsorganizationsinOlympia.Whileartcentersandartisthousingare
differentstructuralentities,insomecommunities,partnershipshave
allowedartscentersandworkforceartisthousingtocoexistinthesame
location.
MaryAnnVetter
Iwouldencouragetheparksandreccomitteetofundfacilitiesforathletics
email12/9/15
bothindoorandoutdoor.FacilitiesliketheRACprovideactivitiesand
outletsforALLages.Inaddition,wearealsolosingindoorfacilitiesfor
volleyball,basketball,etc.tomarijuanagrowerswhoareleasingallthe
warehouses.Largesportfacilitiesprovideopportunitiesforyouthtobe
involvedintheircommunity,stayactive,healthyandoutoftrouble.Large
facilitiescanalsosupporttournamentsandleaguesthatbringincometo
thelocaleconomy.
Finally,Ithinkitistragicthatourcommunitydoesnothaveanypublic
pools.SwimmingisaLIFESKILLandthechildreninourcommunityhave
verylittleaccesstopoolstodevelopthisskill.Ourchildrenarenotgoing
tolearntoswiminafountain.Swimmingisgreatforcardiovascularhealth
forallages.Poolexerciseisalsooneofthebestactivitiesforrehaband
seniorcitizens.Inarecentvisittomyphysician,heevenmentionedhow
poolswouldbenefittheagingbabyboomers.
OPARD
SeeresponsestosectionsonSwimmingandSoccerFields(#2&#4)above.
ChuckBeckemail RonMarcoesentusyourPlanandaskedifwehadanycomments.TheCity
12/9/15
isbeingproactiveandalltheworklooksgreat.Iwouldliketosee
somethinginthelineofacoveredareawhereseveralactivitiescouldbe
handled.Mostallofthefutureplanscenteraroundoutdooractivityand
withalltherainwegetandalltheindooractivityintheareasomeplans
shouldbedevelopedtoaccommodatethem.
Thankyouforallyourwork
OPARD
swimmingpool,icerink,indoor athletic facilitiesand/oradditional
DaveHoffman
WantedtojustsendafewcommentsregardingtheParksDraftplan.
email12/9/15
SendinganemailisquickerformethanpostingonOlyspeaks.
123
I'llkeepitshortandtothepoint.
Moresoccerandathleticfieldsforyouthandadultsports.Wearemainlya
soccerfamilysoIlistedthatfirst.Thisneedstobeapriority.Notin2022
2035.TheRACinLaceyshouldbeanexampleofwhatOlympiashouldhave
alreadyhave.Iknowwecandoevenbetter.
Pool.Icanhandlea'sprayground'athome.It'scalledahose.Putthat
milliontowardsapool.
OPARD
SeeresponsestosectionsonSwimmingandSoccerFields(#2&#4)above.
KimMurillo
I'mhopingtosqueezeinacouplecommentsontheplanbeforethe
deadline.
Olympiaisawonderfullygreenplacethathasamazingnaturalbeauty
preservedforalltoaccessandenjoy.Ihavea4yearolddaughter,soI've
becomemorefamiliarwithneighborhoodparkswithin12milesof
downtownoverthelastfewyears.I'dlovetoseesmallerparksscatteredin
betweenthelargerneighborhoodones,likelessthana5minutewalk.I'm
talkingevenjustalittlepatchofpublicspacewithgrassoragarden,maybe
afewtreestumpsorsomethingtodolikeagameofsomesort.Atiny
green/gardenspacewouldgreatlywouldprovideanopportunitytoknow
neighborsandcouldgreatlyfacilitatecommunitybuildingwithina23
blockradius.Sidewalkseverywherewouldbeawesome,butthat's
probablyaPublicWorksthing.
I'dlovefortheretobemorepublicamenitieslikeanindoorpoolorindoor
sportsactivitycenter.WhileI'mdreaming,I'llproposetheideaofatropical
butterflyexhibit.Ha,gobigorgohome;)
Thankyouforallyourworkonputtingthisplantogether.It'sexcitingto
thinkofallthatOlympiaisdoing!!
OPARD
Seeresponsesre:Soccer(#4),Pool(#2)andaRecreationCenterabove
ForrestPeaker
MythanksforallthehardworkontheParksPlan.It'snicetoseesomuch
email12/11/15
communityinvolvement.
Theformisclosednow,eventhoughthedayisnotactuallyover,soIam
emailingmyideas.
HerearesomethingsIthinkaremissingfromtheplan:
124
Downtownrecreationpocketparksaresorelyneeded.The
numberofpeopleexpectedtomovedowntownwillneedplaces
exercisebesidesgrassfields.Pocketparkssuchasbasketballcourts,
tennis,anewdowntownskateparkandotherballcourtfacilities
willbeessentiallytopromotingan"active",healthyandvibrant
downtown.Theseurbandowntownparksarealsocentrallylocated
forEastside/Westsideresidentsandbeyondallowingpeopleto
accessparkseasilyandwithasmallercarbonfootprint.
OPARD
Arealartscenterandcitysupportforallagesmusicvenue.The
citystatedthat$28millionsdollarswasgeneratedinour
communityin2014fromthemusicindustry.Weneedtosupport
ourlocalmusicscene(yes,thatalsoincludespunkmusic)and
dedicatefundstosupportingapermanentallagesmusicspace
muchlikeTheVeraProjectinSeattle.
Theexpediteddevelopmentofregionaltrailsystems(Olympia
WoodlandTrailexpeditePhase3andaddPhase4fundingand
expediteWestBayTraildevelopment).Thesetrailsystemsactas
bothbikeandpedestrianrecreationandtransportation.OurParks
Plancanbeacriticallinkineffortstomovepeopleofallagesand
abilitiesaroundtheregionsafelyandwithouttheircars.These
recreationandtransportationlinksarecriticaltoOlympia'sefforts
toreducegreenhousegasemissions.
Theconnectionofparksandadjacenthousingasthebestwayto
promotesafety.Thelocationofparksandencouragementof
housingimmediatelyadjacenttotheseparksisthemostefficient
andhealthywaytomaintainsafety,whetherdowntownorinother
neighborhoods.
Smallerscaleneighborhoodparkstoensureaccesstoopenspace
isspreadthroughoutourcommunityandthatOlympiansare
walkingdistancefromaparkregardlessofwheretheyreside.The5
acregoalsizeforneighborhoodparksistoolargeanddiminishes
overallwalkabilityinneighborhoods.
Apublicpool.Seriously.Idon'tthinkthisrequiresanexplanation.
Thanksagainfortheopportunitytocomment.
DowntownpocketparksGoodidea.Thedraftplannotesonp.35that
Atthetimeofthisplanswriting,theCitywasinthemidstofcreatinga
125
DowntownStrategy.Thisprojectwillidentifyactionsourcommunitywill
takeovera56yearperiodthatwillhavethegreateststrategicimpact
towardimplementingourdowntownvision.OncetheDowntownStrategy
iscomplete,OPARDwilldevelopaplanfordowntownparksthatwillalign
withthestrategy.Wewillconsidermoreactiverecreationopportunities
fordowntownparksasyousuggestwhenwecraftthatplan.
OlympiaWoodlandTrail:ProposedadditionallanguagefortheOlympia
WoodlandTrailsectiononP.84:Thefirsttwophasesofthetrailwerebuilt
utilizingstrongpartnershipswiththeWoodlandTrailGreenway
Association,WashingtonDepartmentofTransportation,andThurston
RegionalPlanningCouncil.TheCitywillseektocontinueandexpandthese
partnershipsmovingforwardwithPhases3and4.
NeighborhoodParksizeOurgoalistogetneighborhoodparkswalking
distanceto90percentofallareasoftheCity.Ifthereisnota5acreparcel
availablewewouldcertainlyconsidersmallerparcels.Proposedadditional
sentencetosectiononneighborhoodparkacquisitiononp.86: Inareas
wherefiveacresarenotavailable,smallerparcelswillbeconsidered.
ConnectionofparkstohousingVerygoodpoints.Wewillkeepthatin
mindasweseeklocationsfornewparks.
ArtsCenterandPoolseerelatedsectionsabove.
JanaeHuber
email12/11/15
MythanksforallofyourworkontheParksPlan.Thepublicprocesshas
beenveryactiveandI'mimpressedbythelevelofcommentI'mseeingon
OlySpeaks.It'snicetoseethatforumgainingmomentum.
ThereareacoupleofareasofthedraftplanthatIdon'tthinkreceived
quiteasmuchattentionastheydeserve.HerearesomethingsI'dloveto
seetheplansupport:
Theexpediteddevelopmentofregionaltrailsystems(Olympia
WoodlandTrailexpeditePhase3andaddPhase4fundingand
expediteWestBayTraildevelopment).Thesetrailsystemsactas
bothbikeandpedestrianrecreationandtransportation.OurParks
Plancanbeacriticallinkineffortstomovepeopleofallagesand
abilitiesaroundtheregionsafelyandwithouttheircars.These
recreationandtransportationlinksarecriticaltoOlympia'sefforts
toreducegreenhousegasemissions.
126
Theconnectionofparksandadjacenthousingasthebestwayto
promotesafety.Thelocationofparksandencouragementof
housingimmediatelyadjacenttotheseparksisthemostefficient
andhealthywaytomaintainsafety,whetherdowntownorinother
neighborhoods.
OPARD
PhilipW.Schulte
email12/11/15
Smallerscaleneighborhoodparkstoensureaccesstoopenspace
isspreadthroughoutourcommunityandthatOlympiansare
walkingdistancefromaparkregardlessofwheretheyreside.The5
acregoalsizeforneighborhoodparksistoolargeanddiminishes
overallwalkabilityinneighborhoods.
Thanksagainfortheopportunitytocomment.
Seeresponsetopreviouscomment
ThecurrentParksPlanproposestoturnthe24acreparcelonHarrison
Ave.,whichwasacquiredwiththehelpoftheWestOlympiaCommunity
VisioningGroupintoprimarilyopenspace,withatrailthroughit.This
wouldbeaterriblewasteofaperfectsiteforacommunitypark,inthe
heartofWestOlympiawithinwalkingdistanceoffourschoolsthatwould
serveasgatewaytoGrassLake.
ThisparcelisnearonethebusiestintersectionsinOlympia,adjacenttoa
highlycommercialarea,andyetastonesthrowfromCapitalHighschool
andacrosstheroadfromYeagerPark.ItisessentiallyatthecenterofWest
Olympia.Settingaside75%ofthisparcelasopenspaceisnotasmartor
aneconomicuseofthisvaluableproperty.Further,becauseofthephysical
featuresofthesite,particularlywetlands,aconsiderableportionofthe
areawillnecessarilyremainundeveloped.Theusableportionofthis
propertyshouldbeused,anditistheperfectlocationforacommunity
parkthatwouldserveasagatewayintoGrassLake.
Thiscommunityparkshouldfeaturetrails,butitshouldalsohaveaplaza
viewablefromHarrisonAvenueandabuildingthatwouldsupportmultiple
usessothattheparkisenjoyedbyalargeportionofthecommunity.The
shapeofthesiteisalsoconducivetowardcreatingatransitionfromthe
busycommercialcentertoawonderfulnaturalarea,bydiminishingthe
developedpotionasyoumoveawayfromHarrisonAvenue.GrassLake
presentsterrificeducationalopportunitiesforourcommunityschildren,
andrightnowthereisnoeasypointofentry.Thissiteisvirtuallycryingout
foranaturalscienceeducationalcomponent.
TheneedforadditionalcommunityparksinWestOlympiaisfurther
127
validatedbythesubstantialgrowthinthenumberofresidentsinWest
Olympia,especiallywithin12milesoftheHarrisonAvenueparcel.In
addition,OlympiasSchoolDistricts2016Parkbondincludesnew
classroombuildingsatnearbyHansenandMcLaneElementarySchoolsand
substantialinvestmentsatCapitalHighSchool.TheHarrisonAvenueparcel
istheonlyavailableparceloflandonamainarterialroadnearthe
Westsidebusinesscorewiththesizeandgeographytoaccommodate
multipleusesfortheentirecommunity.
TheWestOlympiaCommunityVisioningGroup(CVG)isanactive
communitygroupthathasdonatedsubstantialtimeandenergyand
significantfinancialresourcestoacquiringanddevelopingthissiteasa
communitypark.DozensofOlympiacitizenshavedevotedsubstantial
resourcestothisprojectandmanymorehavevoicedsupport.TheWest
OlympiaRotaryhasalsothrownitssupportbehindthisproject.
TheCityofOlympiashouldembracethiskindofpublicparticipationand
leveragethispartnership.ItisexactlythekindofrelationshiptheParks
Planstatesitendorses(SeeGR2onpage54).TheParksPlanshould
identifytheCVGsroleinacquiringtheparcelandtoutitasafuture
partnerindevelopment.
TheParksPlanneedstobemodifiedtoindicatethat,withthesupportof
theCVGandthecommunity,theParksDepartmentintendsthissitewillbe
developedintoacommunityparkthatwillincludewalkingtrails.
OPARD
ProposedchangetoHarrisonAveParcelsectiononP.78:
In2009,theWestOlympiaCommunityVisioningGroup(CVG)andtheCity
ofOlympiabeganexploringapartnershiptopurchaseanddevelopapublic
plazainWestOlympia.UnderaMemorandumofUnderstandingandwitha
$5,000donationofearnestmoneyfromtheCVG,theCitypurchasedthe
24acreHarrisonAvenueParcelin2011.In2012,OPARDpartneredwith
CVGtodevelopaconceptplanfortheparkwhichincludedan
amphitheater,environmentallearningcenter,asatellitemaintenance
center,trails,andopenspace.Theparkcurrentlyremainsundeveloped.A
siteanalysisestablishedthatsignificantdevelopablespaceexistsonthe
parcelalongwithItcontainsseveralacresofwetlandsthatconnecttothe
largerGrassLakewetlandcomplex.TheCVGremainsactiveandinvested
inapartnershipwiththecityandtheCitylooksforwardtocontinuingits
valuablepartnershipwithCVGasitpursuesfutureparkdevelopment
phasesinthefuture.
CristianaFigueroa Iwouldliketotakethisopportunitytoaddafewmorethoughtstothe
email12/11/15
conversationregardingmultipletopics,inadditiontocommentsIalready
128
providedviaOlyspeaksandasamemberoftheLBAWoodsParkCoalition.
Proposedhabitatandtrailpurchasesareexcellentandmotivate
volunteers.
Thecreationofahabitatplanandinclusionofhabitatconsiderationsinthe
parksplanisareallyimportantstepforourCity.Theproposedpurchases
suchastheKaiserHeightsparcel,WestBayWoodsandtheTrilliumparcel
ofLBAWoodsallprovideneededhabitat.Volunteershavealreadystarted
theworkofupkeepandmaintenanceinsomeoftheseparcels.InLBA
Woods,volunteershavemaintainedthetrailsandpickeduptrashfora
longtime.Likewise,volunteerworkintheWestBayWoodstoprotect
habitatforthegreatblueheronandtakeoutnoxiousweedsisimpressive.
Inasimilarvein,theWoodlandGreenway
Associationtrailvolunteershave,foryears,maintainedlargesectionsof
trails.Purchasesofnewtrailsectionswillundoubtedlybeingoodhands.
So,pleasekeepthesepurchasesintheplan,andletsmoveforwardto
implementation.
IsthmusPark
AfterhavingtheopportunitytoconnectwithmanyOlympiaresidentsthis
pastsummeronthetopicofparks,itiscleartomethatacivicspaceopen
tothepublicintheisthmusissomethingpeoplehavebeenhopingforina
longtime.Itisimportanttocreateaninclusiveprocesstohelpdetermine
whatexactlywouldbeonthatspace.Theoptionsaremany.Atthe
December2ndOPARDmeeting,someonevoicedtheneedtohaveactive
formsofrecreationdowntown,especiallyasthedensitythereincreases.
OthersvoicedtheneedforanArtCenter.OtherproposalsIhaveheard
thatseemawonderfulfitareaSquaxin(orotherlocalnativeculture)
museum,akayaklaunchthepossibilitiesareendless.Currently,oneof
thewonderfulspaceswhereOlympianscongregatein/neartheisthmusis
TraditionsCafeitistrulyacommunityspacethatDickopensuptothe
community.Thus,IwouldhopethatTraditionsCafeoraversionofit,
wouldstillbeviableinthefuture.
Itseemsnaturalthatparkadvocates,andtheremaybeotherdowntown
communityvoices,needaseatattheCommunityRenewalArea(CRA)
tablefortheCRAtobeviable,thewholecommunityneedstobe
reflectedinit.OPARDwillundoubtedlyneedtoworkcloselywiththeother
Citydepartmentstoenvisionanddesignanisthmusparkinvestmentthat
canmeetthephysicalsiteconstraintsoftheisthmus,likesealevelriseand
liquefactionpotential.
129
PlanImplementation
ThisplanisforallOlympiaresidentstohelpimplement,notjustOPARD.
Withthatinmind,itisimportantthatpathwaysareinplaceforthevarious
interestgroupsinourCity(skaters,artists,naturewalkers,soccer
community,runners,birders,doglovers,swimmersetc.)sothatpeopleof
similarinterestscanconnectwithOPARDandeachothertoworkon
implementingthevisionthattheycareabout.Inthatway,volunteer
opportunitiescanbeidentified,grantapplicationscanbegenerated,work
canbedonetomovethevisionforwardevenifitwilltakeadecadeto
getthere.Whenthecommunityisinvolveditbecomesapparentthat
thoughtheworkisoftendaunting,fundsarefinite,andthatOPARDcannot
possibly
Makeeverythinghappen,littlebylittleyearbyyearoursharedgoals
areaccomplished.ThiswouldalsobeanexcellentwayforOPARDto
enhanceitsvolunteerprogram.
Weallneedtoimplementtheplan,andwecangetthereifwework
togethertomakeithappen.
OPARD
Weappreciateyourenthusiasmandlookforwardtoworkingwithyouand
therestofthecommunityaswemoveforwardtoimplementtheplan.
KrisTuckeremail Thankyouforleadingtheplanningprocessandseekingpublicinputonthe
12/11/15
draft2016Parks,ArtsandRecreationPlan.Thisletter(alsoattachedinpdf
format)offersmycommentsasacommunitymember;Isubmitteda
separateletteronbehalfofOlympiaArtspaceAlliance,forwhichIserveas
boardchair.
Asanactiveuserofthecityparksystem:
Idonotsupportmakingtheisthmusonebigpark,butenvision
smallerparkswithinamixofdevelopmentontheisthmus,
includinghousing,commercialspaces,andpublicspaces.
DemolitionoftheCapitolCenterbuildingismentionedafewplaces
(page14and22)eventhoughthisbuildingisnotownedbytheCity
andoccasionaldevelopmentoptionsarise;thecostconsiderations
ofanisthmusparkarentmentioneduntilpage36.Thistrickyissue
mightbemorethoroughlyandthoughtfullydiscussedinoneplace
intheplan,evenifnoconclusionisreachedatthistime.
Iurgethelongtermcommitmenttoestablishingashorelinetrail
connectingEastBayandWestBay.
Itstimelytoconsiderhowtheanticipated(andnowevident)
130
growthindowntownresidentswillchangeparkneedsdowntown.
Asanartsadvocatemycommentsaremoreextensiveandspecific:
Page3:Pleaseincludeanartsactioninthisopeningbulletlist.Perhaps
StrengthenthecityscommitmenttotheartsorExpandandstrengthen
artsprogramming.
Page5:TheparagraphabouthowMPDfundscanbeusedseems
incomplete.Isuggestthefollowingaddition:MPDfundscanbeusedto
rebuild.ongoinginspectionandmaintenanceofPercivalLanding,aswell
ashelpOPARDmeetotherneeds.(underlinedsectionadded)
Page8:Thebulletsforrecreationactivitiesandservices,andforthearts,
dontspeaktowhattheplanlaysout,butonlysaywhatalreadyis.This
planshouldinitiateplanningforanartcenterandimplementationofthe
MunicipalArtPlan.Whatelse?
Page21:Althoughmentionedelsewhere,IsuggestthattheCompPlan
(approved2014)beonthislistofplanningeffortssettingthestage;also
SustainableThurston/TRPCandamentionoftheDowntownStrategy
nowunderway.
Page43:TheCityisauthorizedtosetasideonedollarpercapita
annually.(Underlineadded).Isuggestthefollowingbeincluded(fromthe
MunicipalArtPlan,2015):$1perCapitafundshavenotbeenallocatedto
theMunicipalArtsFundsince2009,duetotheeconomic
recession.Restorationofthe$1perCapitafundingisvitaltothecreative
health,vibrancyandeconomicgrowthofourCity.
Page4647offeralistofrecentprojects,notstepstoimplementthe
MAPandCompPlansartsgoals.Underchallenges(page47)itmentions
shiftinemphasiswhatdoesthismean?Whatwillittake?Howcanthis
beaccomplished?
IstronglyurgeOPARDtoaddoneprofessionalstaffperson(1.0FTE)for
thearts.Currentstaffingforarts(1.25FTE,asIrecall)isinadequateto
supporttheartsprogramsofthecity.Page98makesonlyapassing
referencetotheneedforadditionalstaffing;expandingstaffshouldbe
partoftheplan.
Therearemanymanypossibilitiesforconnectingtheartswithparksand
recreationprogramsthatwillenhancetheparksexperience,enrichlifelong
learning,contributetothebuiltenvironment,buildcommunity
connections.Olympiawouldbenefitfromforexampleabroadervariety
ofartsclassesandartsinstructors,artsprogramminginneighborhood
parks,amusicseriesintheHarborHouse,artistdesignedsignage,arts
basedpartnershipswithcommunityorganizationssuchasSOGO,Boys&
GirlsClub,Arbutus.
Iam,ofcourse,astrongadvocateforanartcenteraswellasforstudio
spaceandhousingforartists(seetheletterfromtheOlympiaArtspace
131
Alliance),andurgetheCitysstrongsupport,leadershipandparticipation
inthateffort.Asitproceeds,wealsoshouldconsidereventual
improvementstoTheOlympiaCentertooptimizeopportunities.
Page111112:Otherperformancemeasuresyoumightconsider:
#participantsinartsprogramsattheOlympiaCenter(Iknowthisis
notpartofthearts/eventsresponsibility,butitwouldreinforcethe
OPARDconnections)
ConditionassessmentoftheCityspublicartcollection.
Again,thankyouforthisopportunitytocommentandforyourvision,
commitmentandleadershipforourcommunity.DonthesitatetocallifI
canclarify,explain,researchoradvise.
Bestwishes.
OPARD
Proposedchanges:
P.3: Astrengthenedcommitmenttotheartsandtorecreation
programming
P.5:MPDfundscanbeusedtorebuildparksmaintenanceservicelevels,
addressthe$4milliondeferredmaintenancebacklog,andprovideongoing
inspectionandmaintenanceofPercivalLandingandhelpOPARDmeet
othercriticalneeds.
P.8:TheartsprograminOlympiaincludesacquisitionandmaintenanceof
publicart,communitywideevents,andpromotionofothercommunity
artsorganizationsandevents.Theplancontainsgoalsandpoliciesfornew
artsprogramsandfacilitiesandcontainsalinktotheMunicipalArtsPlan.
P.22:CompPlanandDowntownStrategyaddedtolistofplanningefforts
P.111112(Performancemeasures):
ArtworkConditionConditionreportsonpublicartpiecesthatresultina
positiverating.Thegoalisthat80%oftheartworksexaminedyearly
receiveagoodorbetterrating.
ParticipantsinArtClassesOfferedbyOPARDHoursof
participationbyregistrantsinOPARDofferedclassesincooking,dance&
music,andfinearts&crafts.
BonnieJacobs
PleaseacceptthissubmissionastheofficialcommentfromFriendsofthe
andFriendsofthe Waterfront,anonprofitcorporationregisteredwiththeWashington
Waterfront
SecretaryofState,regardingthe2016DraftParks,ArtsandRecreationPlan
132
Email12/11/15
datedNovember17,2015.
Weareimpressedbythequalityofthisdraftplanandthepublic
involvementprocessthatinformedit.
FriendsoftheWaterfrontoffersthefollowingspecificcommentsonthe
draft:
1.Weappreciatethefocusonwaterfrontandwaterfrontareaprojects.
Thisshowsarecognitionoftheimportanceofthewaterfronttothequality
oflifeinOlympia.
2.Wesupportthedraftplan'semphasisonacquiringparklandbefore
importantprojectsarelosttodevelopment.Itisasoberingfactthatthe
parklandwenowhaveandwillacquireinthenearfuturewillbe
essentiallyalltheparklandthatwilleverexistwithinthecurrent
boundariesoftheOlympiaUGA,evenasourpopulationwillcontinueto
growandbecomemoredensetomeetthemandatesoftheGrowth
ManagementAct.
3.Wesupportalloftheprojectscurrentlyadvocatedbyfellowmembersof
theYESOlympiaParksCoalition.
4.WerecommendthatofthesixlargeprojectsincludedintheElway
randomsamplesurvey(pp.14and23),theonesthatareatriskofbeing
losttodevelopmentshouldbeprioritizedfirst.Theseare:
AcquireandDemolishCapitolCenterBuilding
AcquireSecondLBAWoodsparcel
AcquirenewAthleticFieldCommunityParkland.
Theotherthreeprojectsinthislistareonlandalreadyownedbythecity,
andarethereforenotasurgent.
5.The"IsthmusParcels"itemonpage36needsathoroughrewrite.
a.Intheintroduction,theisthmusshouldbedefinedasthe4acre
areaboundedbyWaterStreet,theCapitolLakespillway,FourthAvenue,
andFifthAvenue.Languagesuchasthefollowingshouldbeadded:"The
remainingderelictstructuresontheisthmusarethe9storyCapitolCenter
Building(knownlocallyasthe"mistakebythelake")anditsonestory
Annex.Asreportedelsewhereinthisplan,thereisstronglocalsupportto
removethesebuildings,particularlythe9storybuilding,whichisalong
festeringeyesorethatmarsthenorthwardvistathatconnectstheState
CapitolCampuswiththeOlympicMountains.Thisisthevistaaroundwhich
theStateCapitolCampuswasdesigned."
b.Thecontentofthesecondbulletunder"challenges"shouldbe
deletedbecauseitisinaccurateduetoageandthefactthatitincludes
development,whichisnotincludedinanyothercurrentproposal,e.g.,
ballfields.Initsstead,anestimatedcostof8Mto10Mforacquisitionand
demolitionoftheCapitolCenterBuildingandAnnexshouldbeinserted.
6.The"IsthmusParcels"itemonpage81shouldbeamendedassuggested
inthepreviousitem,callingforacquisitionanddemolitionoftheCapitol
133
CenterBuildingandAnnex.
Finally,wewanttoregisterourconcernaboutthepossibilityof
backtrackingonisthmuslandthatwaspurchasedforparkpurposes(and
mainlywithdedicatedparkfunding).Webelievethattheterm"park"
shouldbeconstruedbroadlyasagreatpublicspacethatcouldincludenot
onlygreenspacebutalsopossiblyfeaturessuchasaNativeAmerican
HeritageMuseum,carousel,OlympiaHistoricMuseum,fountain,native
plantgarden,coffeeshop,etc.Webelievethatthechoiceofhowtouse
theisthmusshouldbeinformedbythebroadestpossibleinvolvementof
Olympiacitizens.Wealsobelievetheisthmusshouldremaininpublic
ownershipandthatanystructuresshouldbelow,nomorethanthe
currentzoningallows(35').Anylandusedforcommercialpurposesshould
beleased,notsold.Wedonotbelievethatprivateusessuchashousing
andsignificantretailspacewouldbeappropriateontheisthmus.
Sincerely,
OPARD
Thankyouforyourcomments.PleaseseetheIsthmusOPARDresponse
above(#3).
BobJacobsemail Pleaseacceptthissubmissionasmycommentsregardingthe2016Draft
12/11/15
Parks,ArtsandRecreationPlandatedNovember17,2015.Thisisin
additiontoapreviousemail(s)onthesametopic.
FirstIwanttocongratulateOPARDandyouinparticularforthequalityof
thepublicinvolvementprocessandthedraft.Icontinuetobeimpressed
byyourwork.
Inparticular,Ibelieveitwasvitaltouseaprofessionalsurveytogaugethe
public'sperceptionsanddesires,becausetherandomsamplenatureofthe
surveyprovidedthekindofreliabilitythattheotherpublicinputmethods
couldnotdeliver.
Thesecommentsareintendedtohelpyouimprovethisdocumentforthe
nextroundofdrafting.Istronglyrecommendthatyournextdraftbea
redlinedversionofthisfirstdraft,inordertomakereviewbyallinterested
partiesmoreefficient.
AsImentioned,Ialsohopetosharewithyousoontheeditorial
suggestionsthatInotedonmycopyasIreviewedit.
Mycomments:
IagreewiththecommentssubmittedbyFriendsoftheWaterfront.
Onpage12,attheendofthefirstparagraph,addthesentence,"This
randomsamplesurveyisbyfarthemostaccurateofthewaysusedto
gaugetheopinionsofOlympia'spopulation."
Onpage19,thenearly200KRCOgrantfortheisthmusshouldbe
134
included.Agreatdealofstaffeffortandasignificantprivatecontribution
wentintosecuringthisgrant,andthefactthatthecitycouncilchosenotto
acceptitshouldnotresultinitsnotbeingrecognized.
Onpage30,thePort'strailfromEastBayDrivetothetipofthe
peninsulashouldbeaddedtoFigure4.2.
Onpage32,lastparagraph,theterm"PesticideFree"doesnotfitthe
descriptionoftheprogram.Amoreaccuratetermshouldbesubstituted,
perhaps"ChemicalFree".
Onpage35,paragraph1,lastsentence,change"managed"to"owned".
Ownershipiswhatmattershere.
Onpage35,lastparagraph,thefountaindonationwasnotbya"local
family".Abettertermmightbe"privatefamily"or"Seattleareafamily".
Onpage36,first"SignificanceforthePlan",paragraph2,change
"would"to"should"toindicatetheuncertaintyofanysignificanteffecton
theHeritageParkFountain.
Onpage36(andpage81),"IsthmusParcels"item,changethistofocus
mainlyonacquisitionandremovaloftheCapitolCenterBuildingand
creationofagrandpublicspaceontheentire4blockisthmusarea,the
exactshapeofwhichshouldbedeterminedafteraninclusivepublic
process.SeemyearlieremailsubmissionsandFriendsoftheWaterfront
submissionforsuggestedwording.
Onpage36(alsopage81)thedraftstatesthat"TheCommunity
RenewalAreaprocessandDowntownStrategywillinformOPARD'slevelof
involvementintheisthmusarea.""Informappearstobeinaccurate;
"determine"appearstobethecorrectword.
Onpage37,secondlastparagraph,thelastwordsare"worldclass
waterfront".ThisisquitehyperbolicwhenIcompareLucerne,Zurich,and
somewaterfrontsinChina.Perhaps"firstclasswaterfront"toindicate
highqualityeventhoughourwaterfrontinsmall?
Onpage39,IsuggestthattheWestBayParkitemincludementionof
theSquaxinTribe'sinvolvement.Thisisaveryimportantfactor.
Onpage43,underWatershedParkBirds,addBarredowlandGreat
Hornedowl.
Onpage49,paragraph3suggeststhatathleticandfitnessprogramscan
provideeconomicbenefitstothecommunitybecauseparticipantsmight
purchaseequipmentrelatedtotheiractivitiesoreatlunchtogether.For
thistobetrue,itseemslikeonewouldhavetoassumethatthesedollars
wouldnotbespentintheabsenceoftheseactivities.Thatdoesnotseem
likeareasonableassumption.
Onpage63,lastparagraph,thedraftindicatesthatinthecasewhere
neighborhoodparksarecolocatedwithothertypesofparks,"twoacresof
theparkareassignedtothe'neighborhoodpark'classification."Twoacres
135
seemsabitonthesmallside.Isuggestthatthedecisiontoconsiderjust
twoacresasneighborhoodparkbereconsideredbecauseitissmallerthan
mostofourexistingneighborhoodparks.
Thedefinitionof"neighborhoodpark"isdealtwithonpages64,65,and
87.
a.Thereisnoindicationofthedesiredsizeofstandalone
neighborhoodparks,justhintsofperhaps2acres.Mostcurrentstand
aloneneighborhoodparksarelargerthan2acres,andwithzoningchanges
resultingingreaterhousingdensitiesitappearsquestionabletoreducethe
sizeofthisstandard.Ithink(1)weneedasizestandardand(2)itshouldbe
adequateforfuture,denserpopulations.
b.Thereareatleastthreedefinitionsofneighborhoodparksinthe
draft.Mostoftenitsaysthatneighborhoodparksshouldbewithin1/2
mileof90%ofresidences.Butonp.65itsayswithin1/2to1mile,andon
pp.87and94itsaysbothaneighborhoodparkandanopenspacewithin
walkingdistanceofmostresidences.Isuggestthatthestandardbea
neighborhoodparkwithin1/2mileof90%ofallresidences,andthatthis
bemadeclearthroughoutthedocument(pp.64,65,66,87,and94).
Thecommunityparksection,pp6772,continuestherecentpracticeof
notsettingstandardsforathleticfields.TheresultisthatOlympiacould
meetitscommunityparkstandard(p.71)withoutasinglerectangularfield
ordiamond!Thisisdeplorable.Istronglybelieveweshouldhaveafields
perthousandstandardorgoalforthetwotypesoffields,aswedidin
yearspast.Ialsobelievetheplanshouldincludealistingoffieldsthat
serveourcitizens,wherevertheyarelocatedandwhoeverownsthem.
Thisisneededtoprovideaclearandaccuratepictureoftheathleticfields
thatserveourresidentsandwilldosointhefuture.Finally,Ithinkweneed
toknowwhetherthenumberoffieldsweprovideisappropriate
consideringourshareofthearea'spopulation.
Onpage74,lastsentence,thedraftindicatesthatthisplantargetsa
largerareaofopenspaceacreagethanneededtomeetthestandard,but
doesnotstatewhy.Theamountoftheexcessisnotlarge(about9acres),
andwouldservepopulationgrowthinfutureperiods,butitseemsoddand
couldraisequestionsabouttheplan.
Onpage84,underYaugerParkProposedAction,thedraftsaysofthe
upgradestoexistingfields,"asitehasnotyetbeenidentifiedforthese
upgrades".Howcanthisbe?
Onpage85,GrassLakeNaturePark,apathwayisproposed,butno
neighborhoodpark.Why?AneighborhoodparkattheKaiserRoad
trailheadhasbeenplannedforyears.
Onpage88,Spraygrounds,thesefeaturesaresaidtopose"littleriskof
drowning".Shouldthatnotbe"norisk"?
Onpage89,firstparagraph,thedraftsays"eachparcelrequiresawilling
136
seller".Thisisnottruebecausethecity'seminentdomainpowerisandhas
alwaysbeenavailableforacquisitionoflandforpublicfacilities/purposes.I
suggestthisbechangedtoindicatethatitisdesirabletohavewilling
sellers.The"willingtosell"languagealsooccursonpage95attheendof
thefirstparagraphunderPotentialTrailCorridorProjects.
Alsoonpage89,firstparagraph,Isuggestthecriteriaforevaluating
potentialpurposesbereorderedfrommostimportanttoleastimportant.I
wouldpersonallyputthelastfourbulletsfirstandthefirstbulletlast.
Onpage90,ArtsCenteritem,thedefinitionofartsisbroad,butI
wonderifitfitsthisparticularfacility.Myimpressionisthatthisfacility
wouldhostpainters,sculptors,etc.,butIdon'tthinkthatmusiciansand
actorsareforeseen.Itwouldbeusefultoclarifythis.
Onpage93,theheadingNewOpenSpace/TrailLandandDevelopment
doesnotfitthecontentofthissection.Anaccurateheadingshouldbe
substituted.
Onpage98,ExistingandProposedParksandTrailCorridorsMap
section,andalsoMap71,areinconsistent,sometimesreferringtotrails
andtrailcorridorsandsometimesreferringtoopenspaces.Thecontentof
themapappearstobeopenspacesratherthantrails,soIsuggestthatthe
wordingbechangedtomatch.Orthatadifferentmapandcorresponding
textbesubstituted.
Onpage103,thelastsentenceofthePlanningandDesignparagraph
appearstobelongtothepreviousparagraph.
Onpage103,paragraph4,IsuggestthattheassetsconsideredintheFCI
donotincludelandvalue.(alsopage110,toponlythebuiltportionof
theparksystemshouldbeconsidered.
Onpage104,oneofthemostimportantfunctionsoftheMMP
methodologyisnotmentioned.Isuggestaddingasentence/paragraphat
thebottomofp.104suchas"theMMPmethodologywillalsobeusedto
analyzeservicelevelsandmaintenancemethodstofindmorecost
effectivewaystomaintainparks."
Onpage106,underEffeciveOrganization,inline3afterthewords"beon"
Isuggesttheadditionof"(1)deliveryofhighqualityprogramsand(2)".
Onpage106,the8%and5%figuresformarketingexpensesseemquite
high.
Onpage107,underPublicArt,line3,after"value",insert"thatmeet
establishedcriteria"ormorespecificwordingtoindicatethatthe500K
criteriondoesnotapplytosewerprojectsandthelike.
Onpage109,paragraph1statesthatthissectioncontains"performance
measures,outlinedbelowbydivision".Thatstatementiscorrectedonpage
112,whereitisstatedthattheyare"workloadmeasures"(whichistrue).I
thinktheintroductionshouldstatethatOPARDisintheearlystagesofa
longrangeobjectivetodevelopperformancemeasuresforalldivisions,
137
andthattheworkloadmeasureslistedhererepresentsomeearlythinking
onthistopic.Workloadmeasures,ofcourse,donotmeasureperformance.
Becausethissectionrepresentsaverypreliminaryeffort,Iwillnot
commentonthespecificmeasures,butamavailabletodoso.
Ilookforwardtoreviewingthenextdraft.
OPARD
Proposedchanges:
P.13:Thisrandomsamplesurveywasconductedbyawellrespected
professionalsurveyconsultantandconductedinascientificmanner;itis
perhapsthemostaccuratewaytogaugetheopinionsofOlympias
population.
P.35:HeritageParkandSylvesterPark,whileimportantdowntownparks,
aremanagedownedbytheStateandarethereforenotincludedinthis
sectionoftheplan.)
P.35:Thefountainwasmadepossiblebyalocalfamilydonation.
P.36:Theplanproposestwospraygroundwaterplayfeaturesinother
parkswhichwouldshouldreducethestressplacedonthefountain.
P.37:replacingtherestoftheboardwalkwouldcreateanopportunity
forPercivalLandingtobeanintegralpartofaworldfirstclasswaterfront.
P.43:GreathornedowlandBarredowladdedtobirdlist
P.86:Inorderfortheretobeaneighborhoodparkandanopenspace
withinwalkingdistancetonearlyallOlympiaresidents
P.87:[Spraygrounds]provideafun,outdoorwateractivityatafractionof
thecostofapoolandwithouttheneedforlifeguardsasthereislittleno
riskofdrowning.
P.97Referencestomapchangedtoopenspacefromtrail
P.102:TheFCIisaformulawherethetotalcostofrepairs(the
maintenancebacklog)isdividedbythecurrentestimatedreplacement
valueoftheparkassets(notincludingland).
P.103:TheMMPmethodologywillalsobeusedtoanalyzeservicelevels
andmaintenancemethodstofindthemostcosteffectivewaystomaintain
138
parks.
P.105:TheprimaryfocusoftheCitysRecreationProgramstaffshouldbe
on(1)deliveryofhighqualityprogramsand(2)programdevelopmentand
growthofnewprograms.
P.106:1%forArtsetasideforCityconstructionprojectsover$500,000in
valuethatarevisibleandusablebythepublic.
P.109:Thismeasureisderivedbydividingthebacklogcostofmaintenance
bythecurrentestimatedreplacementvalueoftheparkassets(not
includingland).theoverallvalueoftheparksystem.
NancyPartlow
Herearemycommentsonthe2016OlympiaParksPlanDraft:
email12/11/15
PreserveHabitat
The City of Olympias Park Plan should focus more on acquiring and
protectingwildlifehabitat.IwriteforaThurstonCountybasednatureblog
with my sister Janet and her husband Glen. We have beenstudying local
amphibians.Current wetland buffers are not nearly large enough to
protect our native amphibians which spend most of their lives in forests
ratherthanwetlands.Thisarticlepointsouttheproblem:
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattlenews/sprawlflattensfrogsother
amphibiansstrugglingtosurvive/
"...KingCountyhasadoptedsomeofthemostgeneroushabitatprotections
anywhere, which in combination restrict clearing of forests, protect
wetlands, and require connections between wetlands and associated
forests to protect migration routes. But even the largest buffer zones,
reaching 300 feet from sensitive areas in some circumstances in King
County,arenotalwaysenoughforamphibiansonthemove.
And in developments built under old rules, and in jurisdictions with less
stringentregulations,amphibiansoftenfacetotalbarrierstomovement
just one more challenge for animals already battling disease and
competitionfromexoticpredators,suchasbullfrogs.
TheresultisthatcommonbackyardanimalseveryPugetSoundkidgrewup
with, such as Western toads, redlegged frogs and northwestern
salamanders, are disappearing or in decline, some population surveys
show.
139
In seven of 18 King County wetlands surveyed between 1993 and 1997,
Klaus O. Richter, a senior ecologist for King County, found native species
declinedandsomeevendisappeared.
Its not just the wetland alone that is really important, Richter said.
They only use the wetlands for two weeks to a month, a very limited
time, when they go to the wetlands to breed. But then they go to the
foresttolivetheirlives,andwhatwehavefoundisthattheforestsare
disappearing, and getting smaller, and the access to them is declining
becauseofoursprawl.
He remembers going to Beaver Lake Park in the Sammamish Plateau in

earlysummerandfindingthegrassyareasnearthelakealivewithtoads.
Thegroundwouldbemoving,justcrawlingwithbabytoads,Richtersaid.
Thetoadsusedtomigratebetweenthelakeandforestnearby.Buttoday
theforestishometoBeaverLakeEstates,androads,includingbusy228th
Avenue,slicethroughthetoadsformermigratoryroutes.
Ivebeengoingbackandlooking,andIhaventseenatoad,Richtersaid.
Heseesadiminishing,notonlyofthefoodchainandbiologicaldiversity
ofthearea,butofthehumanpleasureinlivinginaplacesoalive.Its
sad,hesaid,theyarejustgone.Peopledontevenknowwhatusedto
behere.Itstheextinctionofexperience.
ThesearetheamphibianspeciesnativetotheOlympiaarea:
PacificChorusFrog
Westerntoads
Redleggedfrogs
Oregonspottedfrogs
Northwesternsalamanders
Longtoedsalamanders
Redbackedsalamanders
Roughskinnednewts
Ensatinas.
Destruction of Olympias urban forests for growth and development are

extirpating these and countless other unseen creatures, creating a highly
impoverishedworld.
Two currently undeveloped Olympia parks properties are especially

importantfortheprotectionofterrestrialamphibianhabitat.Theyarethe
140
ChambersLakeparcel,andtheHarrisonAvenuepropertythatabutsGrass
LakeRefuge.Thesesitesshouldbeleftlargelyintheirnaturalstate.
ReportaCritter
IenjoyedreadingthespecieslistforsomeofOlympiaslargeropenspace
natureparks,althoughthelistsarenotcomprehensive.Forexample,river
ottersaren'tshownasoccurringinPriestPointPark,eventhoughweknow
they are there. I wassurprised and pleasedto note that Redlegged frogs
and Roughskinned newts have been seen at Priest Point. I didn't know
that. This is a perfect example of why buying and preserving large forest
parksissoimportant.
May I suggest that the city create some sort of online function where
people could report animal species theyve seen in Olympia Parks? This
could improve knowledge of the larger life community that surrounds us
and increase citizen interest in the protection and maintenance of these
parks.
AcquirethepropertytodaylightMoxlieCreek
IaskthatthecityacquirethePortofOlympiapropertyonStateStreetto
create a daylighted Moxlie Creek park. This could be an expansion of the
citysalreadyexistingEastBayWaterfrontPark.MoxlieCreekdoesnthave
afunctionalestuaryrightnow.Ifitwasahealthyecosystemtherewould
be so much more life in this area. As things stand now, I wouldnt even
walkonthatbeachbecauseoflegacypollutioninthesoils.
By applying for grants to create a daylighted and restored Moxlie Creek,

Olympia would finally join the ranks of other progressive Puget Sound
communities that have already applied for, and received, large grants to
restorepreviouslydestroyedanddamagedestuariesontheirwaterfronts.
Purchase West Bay and isthmus properties for contiguous waterfront

park
Finally,Iwouldliketoaskthecitytoworkwithothergroupstopurchase
the West Bay waterfront and downtown isthmus properties that are
currentlyforsale,withaviewtocreatingonelargecontiguousparkalong
Olympias waterfront. It would be a profoundly wise and neverforgotten
gifttoOlympiascitizensandfuturegenerations.
OPARD
Thankyouforyourthoughtfulcommentsabouttheimportanceofhabitat
141
protection.Byincludingahabitatcomponentinthisplan,thisplanmakes
theCityeligibleforhabitatgrantsthroughtheWashingtonRecreationand
ConservationOffice.Weintendtovigorouslypursuethesetypesofgrants
tobettermanagesomeofourmostcriticalparkhabitatsandbeableto
leverageourfundsforacquiringnaturalopenspaceareas.Wearehopeful
thatthisplansetsthestageforincreasinglyeffectivemanagementofthe
naturalareasinourparks.
Proposedchange:AddedRiverottertothelistofwildlifeobservedin
PriestPointPark.
JeffreyJ.Jaksich
ThePreliminaryOlympiaParksPlanisanenigmaaswrittenwithregardto
email12/11/15
localcoherentparkplanningprioritiesthatfailtomeetcurrentandfuture
(20year)neighborhoodandregionalOlympiaresidentparksand
recreationservicelevelneeds,standardsfornowandoverthenext20
years.ThePreliminaryOlympiaParksPlanisinadequateinanumberof
sections.
1.ThePreliminary2015OlympiaParks,ArtsandRecreationPlanisnot
wellwrittencomparedwithsomepartsofthe2010Parks,Artsand
RecreationPlanandlookingfecklessintheanemicOlympiaParks
BusinessPlan.ThisanemicOlympiaParksBusinessPlanislackingthe
neededlinkagefromtheproposedOlympiaParks,ArtsandRecreation
Planstrategicgoalsandrelatedsupportingpolicies.Thesegoalsand
supportingpolicieseitherneedlinkedand/orrelatedOlympiaParks,
ArtsandRecreationPlanperformancestandards.Thishasalreadybeen
mandatedbytheOlympiaCityCouncilforthelastfiveyears.The
OlympiaParksplanningrequiresamoreintegratedandlinkedOlympia
Parks,ArtsandRecreationbusinessplan.ThisanemicOlympiaParks,
ArtsandRecreationbusinessplanisanexampleofincompleteOlympia
staffworkthathurtstheParkDepartmentcapabilitiestodefendthe
OlympiaParksfundinginasustainablemannerrelativetoother
glutinousCityofOlympiadepartments.ThisanemicOlympiaParks,Arts
andRecreationbusinessplanneedsbetteroperationaldefinitionof
parkstermsandadequatemeasurableparksandrecreation
performancemeasures/standards.Thesemeasurableparksand
recreationperformancemeasures/standardssoessentialtoeffective
OlympiaParks,ArtsandRecreationbusinessplan.Further,thisplan
needscost/effectivebusinesscaseanalysesofOlympiaParks,Arts
and/orRecreationprojects/programs.Theseanalysesareessentialto
OlympiaParks,ArtsandRecreationoperationalandcapitalbudgetsin
2016,2017,2018,2019,etc.andprovideafactualbasistodefendpark
revenuesandfundinginasustainablemanner.TheOlympiaParks,Arts
142
andRecreationbusinessplanandrelatedbudgetsarecriticalfor
accountabilityandneededcontinuedpublicsupport.Businesscases
(project/programpolicydecisionpackages))arecriticalto
accountability.Thesmartuseofneighborhoodand/orregionalOlympia
Parks,ArtsandRecreationbusinessplanservicelevels,performance
standards,etc.enhanceparkincompetitionwithotherCityofOlympia
services.
2.TheParks,ArtsandRecreationPlanoutlinesa20yearvisionforparks,
artsandrecreationisnotholisticenoughformytaste.Greaterlinkageis
criticaltotheproposedparkplan,parkbusinessplan,park
project/programbusinesscases(decisionpackages)andrelated
project/programoperationaland/orcapitalbudgetsdetails,including
strategicgoalrelatedperformancemeasures.Theparksplanandits
supportivebusinessplandonotadequatelyidentifyandjustifythegeneral
locationoffutureparksandopenspacebasedonequitablelevelsofpark
andrecreationservicespercapitausingtheOlympiaGIStechnical
capabilitiesandpublicallyaccessibleParkPlanningwebsites.Thesesites
requirefactsbaseddecisionprocessesthatwouldbe3nefitfromrelational
basedanalysisusingGISGeocodedinformationandtailoredgeocoded
dataandapplicationsappliedinamannersupportiveofOlympiaParks
capitalinvestmentstrategy,etc.Thesedecisionscanbegreatlyenhanced
byincorporatingthemostrecentparksurveysandstudies.Theseefforts
shouldimprovepublicinputandinvolvementincurrentandongoing
planningandmanagementefforts,and/orresultingstrategicparksgoals,
performancestandards,levelsofservice,etc.Themoreholisticuseoffacts
(geocodeddata)reflectedintheparksplan,businessplanand
documentedparkproject/programbusinesscase(decisionpackages),etc.
willgreatlyenhancepublicinvolvementandsupportforfutureOlympia
parksprojectsand/orprograms.
3.AsaOlympiaresidentandtaxpayer,Ifeelthatthatthestaffwork
outcomesneededtogreatlyimprovedusingGIStechnologyandcritical
geocodeddataessentialtoparksplanningandminimizeincompletestaff
work.Thepreliminaryparksinvestmentstrategyisillconceivedintermsof
optimizingparkandrecreationlevelsofservicepercapitabyneighborhood
andtheCity,asawhole.OlympiaresidentswantprudentOlympiaParks
planning,publicparkmanagementbestpractices,andcost/beneficialparks
andrecreationservicespercapitabyneighborhoodsbasedonfairlevelsof
parksandrecreationalservices,especiallywithregardtochildren.While
someoftheseconcernswereraisedinthelocalpublicinvolvement
meetings.Fewoftheseconcernswerereflectedadequatelyinthemost
recentsurvey.Otherthings,liketheIsthmusParkweremorehighlyrated
143
inthemostrecentsurveyrelativetoLBAWoodsandKaiserHeights
projects.TheIsthmusParkwasinadequatelydiscussedinthePreliminary
2015OlympiaParks,ArtsandRecreationPlan,'...whencomparedwiththe
Thecurrentplan"that"...wasadoptedin2010.Thisdiscussionintheplan
isimportantinordertoremaineligibletoreceivegrantsfromthe
WashingtonRecreationandConservationOffice.Thisisanupdatedplan
thatwillneedtobeadoptedbyMarch1,2016.Somerewriteisrequired,
whichassurescompliancewithStateand/orfederalcostaccountingand
grantregulations,suchasStateandlocalparkexpenditureregulations,
includingfederalcircularsA95,A102,etc.andStateguidelinesissuedby
theWashingtonRecreationandConservationOffice.
4.WhileOlympiaParkshavedonebetterjobthanthestaffworkingforthe
OlympiaPlanninginanumberofpublicmanagementareas,projects,
programs,etc.
5.ThePreliminary2015OlympiaParks,ArtsandRecreationPlaniswaytoo
scattered.TheMPDvotewaspositive,butthepublicisexpectingfull
accountability.Wecannolongeraffordthelackofadequateactualpublic
involvement.Weneedtheplantoreflectabroaderperspectiveonpublic
parkplaninputwithregardtoreasonableparkservices.Theparkplancan
begreatlyimprovedbyimprovingtheparksplan,businesscases,facts
basedpublicinvolvementandinput,suchaswebbasedGISparkplanning
application,etc.
6.TherewasinadequateinvolvementandinputbecauseOlympiaParks
staffdidnotsharerecentfactsfromballfieldandotherrelatedstudies
withregardtoLBAWoods.Thispropertyprovidesopenspace,trail,and
stormwatervalue(measurablestormwaterutility)foradjacentneighbors
andthebroadercommunity.Thecostsandbenefitsofpotentialprojects
needacomprehensivebusinesscaseanalysissothatcostsandbenefitscan
befullyexamined.TheLBAWoodbusinesscaseneedtocompareand
contrastthecomprehensivecostsandbenefitsonalltheaffectedparties,
especiallytheadjacentneighborsandeventhoseimpactedalongtheditch
andChambersLake.CityofOlympiaDevelopmentstaffmistakes,etc.have
madetheindirectimpactsworse.ThemanyfailuresofCityandCounty
developmentstaffhaveleftcumulativeimpactsthatneedstoanalyzedto
fairlyassigncoststomitigatestormwaterandothercostsequitablyamong
theneighbors,affectedneighbors,andallCityresidentsandlooktousing
CityofOlympia'sGeographicInformationSystemgeodataandanalysesto
allocatecostfairly.Businesscaseanalysesneedstorealisticallycompare
andcontrastpotentialOlympiaParksprojects.TheseBusinessCasesallow
avarietyofalternativefundingoptionstobeexamined,suchasthea
144
potentiallocalLIDfundedbyadjacentneighborsand/orotherimpacted
neighbors.Ifneighborswantmorethatthecurrentpublicopenspaceor
greenbelt,theyoughttohelppayfortheseamenities.OtherOlympia
neighborshaveoftenpaidfortheseamenitiesthroughthemarketpriceof
theirhome,liketheresidentsintheGoldcrestNeighborhood,etc.
7.IamprettysurethatStateandFederalregulationsandguidelinescould
beusedagainsttheCityofOlympiatoclawbackparksrevenuesmisspent
bymisclassifyingasparkscosts,wherestormwaterbenefitscouldbe
documentedinbusinesscaseanalyses,likethosefortheKaiserHeights
andLBAWoodsprojects.TheseandotherproposedParksprojectsneedto
becomparedandcontrastedwitheachother.
8.Competentbusinesscaseanalyseswouldresultinmorecompetent
policymakingbytheCityCouncilandbetterstaffrecommendationsand/or
prioritiesmadebyOlympiaParksstaff.
9.TheOlympiaParksbusinessplanwasskimpyandinadequatefor
optimizingthedecisionpackagesreflectedinparkprojectbusinesscases.
ThesebusinesscaseanalyseswouldbestsupportthePreliminary2015
OlympiaParks,ArtsandRecreationPlanprojectsandinvestmentstrategy
aswellaspreventunfaircostshiftingorsubstitutionofOlympiaParks
revenues.ThesecostshiftswereaidedandabettedbyOlympiaCity
Councilsdecisionsfor1994,1997,etc.ThevotedUtilitytaxincreaseof
2004waspartiallymisspentand/ormisclassifiedasweonlyacquired64of
the500promisedacres.Someoftheseacquiredparksland,likeWard
Lake,wereoverpricedandinadequateandcostlytodevelop,suchasthe
$12millionestimatedtocomplywiththeADAwithregardtothe
developmentoftheWardLakeproperty.
10.ThecommonOlympiastaffandmanagementwithholdingofcritical
informationislesslikelywiththeuseofanOlympiaParksbusinessplanin
thePreliminary2015OlympiaParks,ArtsandRecreationPlanand
supportiveparkprojectbusinesscases.WehavenumerousOlympia
managementandplanningfailures,suchasthe500promisedparkacresto
beacquiredbytheCityofOlympiafromthepromisedPartportionofthe
2004UtilityTaxincrease
11.TheCityofOlympiadelayedOlympiaParksmaintenanceofabout$4
millionclaimedbyOlympiaParksstaffreflectsrealmanagementand
budgetingproblemsgoingbacktothe2009operatingandcapitalbudgets.
Theseproblemswerenotadequatelydebatedanddiscussedintherecent
campaigninamannerthatinformedthevotingpublic.Thepublictrustin
145
Olympiastaffandmanagementsorelystrainedbywithholdinginformation
andthefailureofOlympiastafftodobusinesscaseanalyses.Manyofthe
votersintherecentelection(about40%)haverealtrustissueswithregard
toOlympiaParkrevenuesbeingdivertedand/ornegativelyimpactedby
misclassificationofsomeexpendituresforpublicworksbenefitsaspark
expenditures.Therearerealconcernsofthepartofsomevotershaving
parksrevenuesgeneratedfromthe2004UtilityTaxincreases,Olympia
MetropolitanParkDistrict(OlympiaMPD)taxes,anddedicatedOlympia
GeneralFundforOlympiaParksbeingmaintainedinasustainablemanner
tomeetparkpromisedinthePreliminary2015OlympiaParks,Artsand
RecreationPlan,suchastheproposedKaiserHeights,etc.projects.LBA
WoodsandKaiserHeightsprojectsaregreatexamplesofprojectwithnon
parkbenefits,suchasneighborhoodstormwaterbenefitsthatmightbe
bestpaidforfromalocalLID.
ThePreliminary2015OlympiaParks,ArtsandRecreationPlanlacksthe
comprehensivelevelsofparksandrecreationservicespercapitaand
relativetothenearbyusersofparkandotherCityservicebenefits.
Hereissomemorerecommendations:
Whilesupportingneededacquisitionoflandforfutureparkdevelopment
toserveourgrowingpopulation,mostcitizenswanttheCityofOlympiato
maintaintheexistingparkssothatcurrentresidents,especiallyofchildren
canenjoythesefacilitiestoday.
PleasereviewtheIsthmussectionoftheParksPlan,pages36and81and
moreaccuratelyreflecttheinputfromtherecentsurvey,2010plan,etc.
Thislanguageisweakandfecklessforplanandparkdevelopment
purposes.
AccordingtoBobJacobs,FriendsoftheWaterfront,andmanyotherpark
andenvironmentalgroupsinOlympia,severalofthePreliminary2015
OlympiaParks,ArtsandRecreationPlaninconsistencyrequireamajor
rewriteinordertoimprovethePreliminary2015OlympiaParks,Artsand
RecreationPlan.Someexamplesofthingsthatarewrongwiththeplan
include"...inconsistentdescriptionoftheareaincluded,useofoutdated
costestimatesthatareunsupportableandarealsoinconsistentwiththe
treatmentofotherprojects,failuretospecificallyincludetheCapitol
CenterBuildingevenafterthepublicstronglysupporteditsremoval,and
etc"
It'shardtomakesenseofthisplanwithoutacompleterewriteofsections
146
oftheplan,especiallytheOlympiaParksbusinessplanandthelackof
criticalandaccuratebusinesscaseanalyses.
HerearesomeconsensusrevisionsthatmanyofuswanttheOlympiaParks
staffrevise.:
"a.DefinetheisthmusasthewholeareawestofWaterStreet,between
4thand5thAvenues,excludingtheImageSource(KFC)Building.Thisarea
isincludedintheacreagecitedinthisdraft,buttreatmentoftheareais
inconsistent.ThisisalsotheareaincludedinthecurrentParksPlan."
"b.SpecificallyincludeacquisitionandremovaloftheCapitolCenter
Building.Thishasstrongpublicsupportasindicatedbytherecent
professionalpollandMPDelection."
"c.ListthecostestimatefortheCapitolCenterBuildingacquisitionand
removalas810M,whichisthemostrecentstaffestimate.Don'tusethe
obsoletenumberfromtheoriginalfeasibilitybecauseitisoutofdateand
becauseitincludeddevelopmentcosts.Don'tincludedevelopmentcosts
because(1)thosecostscannotbeknownduetothefactthatwedonot
knowhowthespacewillbeused,and(2)developmentcostsarenot
includedforotheracquisitionprojectsintheDraftPlan."
OPARD
Thankyouforyourcomments.Wearesorryyouaresodisappointedin
theplanandtheworkofCityofOlympiastaffingeneral.Weareproud
thatthisisthefirstParksplanthatutilizesaGISanalysistodetermine
whichareasoftheCityareunderserved,thefirstplanthatincludesa
businessplanwithmeasurableperformancemeasures,andthefirstParks
PlanthatwillmaketheCityeligibleforhabitatgrantsfromtheWashington
RecreationandConservationOffice.Thesearenewcomponentsofthe
planthatwillbeevaluatedandwillevolveasweimplementtheplan.
AdamColeemail Pleaseacceptthisemailasofficialpubliccommentontheplan.
12/10/15
1)itiscriticaltopurchaseasmuchoftheundevelopedpropertyaround
LBAaspossible.Thedevelopmentpressureinthatareaofthecityand
countyistoomuchforthecurrentparkinventoryinthisareato
serve.Openspaceisbadlyneeded.Theaddedacresshouldbemostly
retainedasopenspacewithtrailsandshouldbemaintainedasanurban
forest.Someathleticandothercommunityamenitiescouldbe
accommodatedonthespacedependingonhowmuchcanbepurchased.
2)DevelopWardLakePark.FreshWaterwaterfrontservingasapublic
parkisscaresinthisareaofthecity.Thisparkshouldbedevelopedto
147
includeaswimbeach,nonmotorizedboating(WDFWsuppliesmotorized
access)andcommunityamenitiessuchasplaygrounds,sportcourts,
sheltersandtrails.
OPARD
LBAWoodsseeLBAwoodsresponseabove(#1).
WardLakeTheplanbudgetsapproximately$9millionforacommunity
parkprojectin20222035.WardLakeswimbeachcouldbethatprojectas
couldothercommunityparkprojects.Sincethatisover6yearsaway,
therewillbeanotherParkplaninplacebeforethattimesocommunity
prioritieswouldbeassessedatduringthatplanningprocess.
JimNielandemail AttachedismypersonallistofcommentsconcerningtheParksPlan.These
12/10/15
areinadditiontothecommentsIpreviouslysent.
78
LionsPark:Theproposedactionwordingneedstoberewritten.
Readthetwosentencesandyouwillseetheproblem.
81
IsthmusParcels:IbelieveOPARDshouldtakeastandagainstthe
developmentoftheIsthmusforhousing.Theareaismappedasahigh
hazardareaduetoitspotentialforliquefactionduringanearthquake.The
4thAvenueBridgeandamilesectionoftheCapitolParkwaywere
destroyedinthe2001NisquallyEarthquakeduetoliquefaction.The2001
earthquakewasconsideredonly"moderate".Stateseismicgeologistshave
mappedtheisthmusforpotentialearthquakedamageandhavegivenit
thehighesthazardrating.
TheIsthmusisartificiallandcomposedoflooselyconsolidateddredge
spoils(fill)placedatopmuddysedimentsoftheformerestuary.Duringa
severeearthquakethesesedimentsareexpectedtoliquefyandmoveas
wasexperiencedin2001alongCapitolParkway.Asevereearthquakewill
likelytakedownorcausethesubsidenceofanystructureontheisthmus.
Theisthmuswillbecomeincreasingsusceptibletosoilsaturationassea
levelcontinuestoriseoverthenext50years.Anystructureplacedhere
willbeinjeopardyofseveredamageregardlessofseismicengineering
techniquesusedtoresistshakingorsubsidence.Oneseismicexpertstates:
whennaturewantsit,itwilltakeit.
Thelocationismuchbettersuitedtoremainasparkopenspace.
81
MadisonScenicPark:Iwouldnotcharacterizethisparkasbeingin
goodcondition.Ifcharacterizedatall,itisinpoor,orinundeveloped
condition.
82
PercivalLanding:Anynewdevelopmentalongthewatershore
needstotakeintoconsiderationtheimpactofliquefactionduringasevere
148
earthquake.Thedesignofanyretainingwalls,piersorbulkheadsneedto
takeintoaccounttheeffectoflateralspreadingofsoils.
82
StevensField:IknowthattheCityhasanagreementwiththe
schooldistrictpermittinguseofStevensFieldbythegeneralpublicuse,
whenitisnotneededbytheschool.Theagreementispartlyinexchange
forfieldmaintenance.Theproposedactionimpliesthatalotofmoney
wouldbespentonpropertynotownedbytheCity,andwhichisavailable
onlypartofthetime.Thisdisparityhasthepotentialtobequestionedby
personsfollowingthefundingscheme.
Thesuggestedupgradeiswellbeyondmaintenance.Thisfundingidea
appearslopsidedandprobablyneedstobethoughtthroughcarefully.
BeforeagreeingtothislevelofexpenditurePRACwouldneedtoweighin
onboththecostandanyassurancesmadeintheagreementtocontinue
makingitavailableforpublicuse.Fundingofimprovementssharedbythe
SchoolDistrictandCitymightbetterbecoveredthroughacostshare
agreementwithbothpartiescontributingtotheexpense.
Identifyingthesiteashavingpotentialforimprovementmightbeabetter
courseofactionatthistime.Isuggestleavingoutthefundingdetails.
83
WardLakeParcel:Undertheproposedactions,theactionitem
shouldincludetherecommendationendorsedbyPRACtodevelopthe
upperareaintoparkproperty.Thiswasdiscussedatlengthandseveral
optionspresentedtoPRACasamethodofamendingtheoriginal
agreementwiththeStateconcerningthedevelopmentofthepark.The
proposedactionshouldnotexcludedevelopmentofswimminginthe
future,butshouldmakeapositivestatementthattheupperareawillbe
developed.Weshouldavoidanysuggestionthatpurchaseofthisproperty,
ifnotdevelopedforswimming,hasnovalue.Thisisaveryvaluableand
importantparkproperty.
87
WatershedPark:TheOlympiaWoodlandTrailisproposedtoskirt
thewestedgeoftheparkandconnectthroughtotheTumwaterHeritage
parkareatothesouth.Aportionofthistrailexiststothesouthofthe
HendersonStreetroundaboutacrossthestreetfromtheareaofnewhotel
development.Asanewaction,theplanshouldcallforaconnectortrail
leadingfromtheroundaboutintothewesternportionoftheWatershed
Parktrailsystem.Thehotelguestswouldgreatlybenefitfromthis
connectionaswellasthehotels.Theremaybeanopportunityherefora
partnershipwiththehotelsinestablishingthetraillink.
88
NewCommunityParkLandandDevelopment:Underthisheading
KaiserWoodshasbeenleftout.SinceLBAWoodsAcquisitionisshown,
KaiserWoods,whichisunderthesamestatusforacquisitionneedstobe
added.
149
91
DogParks,ProposedAction:Pleaseexpandthestatementabout
dogparks.Thecurrentwordingcouldbemisconstruedtomeanthat
athleticfieldsmaybeusedasdogparks.Ithinkyouaretryingtosaythat
whenidentifyingopenareassuitableforathleticfields,separateopen
spacefordogparksmayalsobefound.Itmightbeagoodideatoleavethe
wordsathleticfieldsoutofthestatementcompletely.
92
OffRoadBikePark:Needtotonedownthesuggestionofusing
KaiserHeightsasasuitableareaforanoffroadbikepark.Thissortofa
suggestionshouldonlycomeoutofamanagementplanwithpublic
involvement.(TheprivatepropertyimmediatelywestoftheKaiserWoods
parcelhasalreadybeendevelopedasanextremeoffroadbikearea,with
ramps,jumpsandallsortofspecialfeatures.Thisisdevelopmentis
outsidetheCitylimitsandtheurbangrowtharea.Iamalreadyhearing
residentsexpressconcernthatsimilaractivitywouldbeextendedintothe
newparkland.Weneedtobecarefulonthisissueandmakesurethat
developmentfollowsrequiredprocedure.)
93
ADATransitionPlan:Inthethirdline,changetheword
constructingtoconstructed.
9394 KaiserWoods:Samesuggestionasforpage92above.Thismayor
maynotbeanexcellentsiteformountainbiketrails.Ifanything,trails
willneedtobeshared,hikermountainbike;mixeduse.
94
WestBayWoods:Theconcernisthatparklandwouldbe
purchasedaswildlifehabitat,excludingpublicuse.Itisagreatideato
acquireparklandthatisalsoimportantaswildlifehabitat,buttherub
comesifthepublicisexcludedfromusingtheproperty.Ifthiswereto
occur,thenthepropertycannotreasonablybeclassifiedasparklandand
shouldbepurchasedandmaintainedusingfundingotherthanpark
acquisitionfunds.Ifthepublicispermittedviewingaccessofwildlife,then
makingitaparkisfitting.Watchablewildlifeareasareverypopular.
95
PotentialTrailProjects:Inthissectionthereneedstobea
discussionofthevarioustypesoftrails,typesofuse(hiker,bicycle,
mountainbike,ADA,etc.)alongwithstandardsforconstruction,grades
anddifficultylevels.Itwouldbenicetoseeanintroductionwhichprovides
acomprehensivevisionofwhattheCitytrailsystemwilllooklikeandhow
itshouldfunction.TheThurstonRegionalTrailsPlanisreferenced,butif
usedforanydecisioninthisplan,itshouldbeattachedasanappendixto
theParksplan.
98
ExistingandProposedParksandTrailCorridorsMap(Map71):The
trailscomponentofthismapisalmostimpossibletounderstand.Trailsare
notspecificallyidentifiedinthelegendandthoseshown,cannotbe
differentiatedfromroads.Suggestusingadifferentcolorfortrails(red
dashedline)andthatthespecifictrailsbemarkedonthemapbyname
9899 NewArtsPrograms:Fartoolittleattentionhasbeenpaidto
150
incorporatingartintotheparksprogram.Thissectionoftheplancouldbe
expandedtorecognizehowartwillbeincorporatedintodevelopmentof
newandexistingparks.Considerspendingacertainpercentageof
developmentcost(510%)forinclusionofart.Thedefinitionofartcould
bebroad,encompassingalmostanyformorart,suchassculpture,
architecturaldesign,spaceforreflection,interpretivemessages,fountains,
murals,spaceforperformanceart,etc.
OPARD
Proposedchanges:
MadisonScenicParkonp.79:This2.2acrepartiallydevelopedparkisin
goodfairconditionbutdoesnothavemanyamenities.Thehillsidetrail
wasimprovedin2012andisingoodshape.
WardLakeParkonp.81:Addthefollowingsentencetoendofparagraph:
In2014,theOlympiaParksandRecreationAdvisoryCommittee
recommendedthatOPARDmoveforwardwithdevelopingtheuplandarea
ofthesiteasacommunitypark.
DogParksP.90:Thisplanbudgets$1,000,000foraPhase1AthleticField
complexprojectin2021.Oneofthecomplimentaryamenitiesofthat
projectcouldbeanoffleashdogarea(separatefromtheathleticfields)if
thesiteissuitable.
OffRoadBikeParkp.91:Existingfundsareallocatedtoconducta
feasibilitystudyforalargeroffroadbikefacilityatanothersite.Thestudy
wouldincludeanassessmentofpotentialimpactstoadjacentneighbors
andwaystominimizethosepotentialimpacts.
ADATransitionPlanp.92:typocorrected
KaiserWoodsp.93:KaiserWoodswouldlikelybeanexcellentcouldbea
goodsiteforoffroadbiketrails,pendingananalysisofthepotential
impactsonadjacentneighbors;providingthisareacouldprovideOlympia
residentsanopportunityformountainbikingwithinOlympiaCityLimits.
WestBayWoodsp.93:Inadditiontohabitatpreservation,acquisitionof
someoftheparcelsinthisareacouldprovidegoodopportunitiesfor
peopletoexperiencenatureintheirneighborhoodandforimportanttrail
connectionsfromtheneighborhooddowntoWestBayDriveandWestBay
Park.
TrailStandards:OPARDutilizestheCitysEngineeringandDesign
Developmentstandardsfortrailconstruction.Fortrailmaintenance,
151
OPARDisdevelopingtrailmaintenancestandardsaspartofitsPark
MaintenanceServicesLevelscurrentlybeingcrafted.
Map71:Mapwasnotintendedtoshowtrailcorridorssogoodpointthat
itsconfusingtocallitaparksandtrailcorridormap.Itsaparkand
openspacemapandreferencestotrailcorridorhavebeenremoved.
Arts:DescriptionofArtsProgramonpage45firstfullsentence:Works
areacquiredthroughavarietyofmethodsincludingcommissionedworks,
incorporatingartintoinfrastructurethroughdesignteams,temporary
worksanddirectpurchases.
BarbaraBenson
Letter
12/15/15
Somecomments regardingthe2016 DraftPark,Arts and

Recreation Plan. Firstthere isacorrection:page5,5thparagraph,
1stsentence, nextto lastwordshouldbe"of"not"off".
IwouldliketosuggestthattheRandomSampleSurveyofOlympia
Citizensshouldbegivenadditionalweightindecisionmakingbythe
DepartmentandCityCouncil. Especiallythebalancedspendingplan
ideaasoutlinedonpage13ofthedraftplan. Interestingly,the
randomsurveyrevealedadesireforpurchasingmoresmallopen
areasoveroneortwomegaparcels.
ThereareseveralmentionswithintheDraftplanregardingtheuseof
grantsandprivatedonationsforparkandfacilityacquisition,
development,operation,programmingandevents. Itismy
understandingthatGrantwritingisaspecializedskill. HastheCity
everemployedaprofessionalgrantwriter(witharelevanthistoryof
success)toassistinthewritingofgrantsthatmayproveevermore
criticaltoParks,ArtsandRecreation? Ifnot,itwarrantsconsideration.
According toGR 2onpage55ofthedraft plan,theCitywill seek non

profit andcitizenpartnerships,...and privatedonations for parkfacility
acquisition, development, operation,programming andevents. How
hasthis beendone? Or isthisstillto bedetermined?Unlessa
structure isalready inplace,perhaps asmallgroupwithin the city
could betaskedtoactivelyseek donations of lands,materialsor
servicesthat wouldenhancethe City's Parks,Arts andRecreation
Programs.
152
Inordertofacilitatethebuildingoftheneededrectangularathletic
fields,shouldwelookatexistingparklandsthatmaylendthemselves
tosuchactivity?Forexample,ifLBAWoodsweretobepurchased,
couldtheexistingLBAParkinitsentiretybeconvertedtorectangular
ballfieldsmovingtheneighborhoodparkportiontothemoreforested
parcel,bothsavingtreesanddevelopingtherectangularfieldsfaster
andcheaper?Iloaththetermbutperhapsweneedtoemploymore
"outsidethebox"thinkingwhenitcomestoourcurrentParkspaces,if
possible.
ClearingtheIsthmusparcelshascertainlyallowedforbetter
visualizationofitspotential. Itmakestheremainingadjacentbuildings
standoutlike"sorethumbs". AdvocatesfortheCityParks,Artsand
RecreationactivitiesmusthaveanactivevoiceduringtheCommunity
RenewalAreaandDowntownStrategyprocesses. Parks,Artsand
Recreationhastobefrontandcenterofanydevelopmentplansforthe
Isthmus.
Affordablehousing,comprehensivementalhealthservicesand
increasedfamilysupportaresomeoftheancillaryservicesthatcould
positivelyimpactallofOlympia'sParksbutinparticularTheArtesian
Commons.
It'sagoodPlanica,justneedenoughmoneyca!
OPARD
Balancedspendingplan:Staffbelievestheproposedplanis
balancedwithsubstantialfundsplannedforaddressingthe
maintenancebacklog/improvingexistingparksaswellassubstantial
investmentsinbothlandacquisitionandnewparkdevelopment.
LBAWoodsThanksfortheoutsidetheboxidea.Ifwepurchase
eitherorbothoftheLBAWoodsparcelswewouldconsideryour
ideaaswemovetowardsparkdevelopment.
IsthmusseeIsthmusresponse(#3)above.
153
FeedbackfromtheOpenHouse
12/2/15
Whatdoestheplansayaboutencampments?Howdoweincreaserateof
enforcement?
Descriptionofballfieldshowarewemeetingthestandard?
OlympiaSoccerAssociationneedmorerectanglesforplay.Getkidsoutdoors!Area
needsmoresoccerfields
Plandoesntaccuratelydescribedeficitforsoccerfields.
Areschoolfieldswellutilized?
ThurstonCountyYouthFootballdevelopmultiuseopenspacegreenfields,i.,e.Lacey
forpracticegiantopenfieldformultiuse
Developdogrunsvs.fullscaledogparkthatcouldfitintoneighborhoodparkmodel
SeeJ.Reillysletterforspecificcomments.(costestimateforIsthmusneedstobe
updatedintheplan)
Strengthenplanthatdealswithartscapturethegrowthstaffing,programming
Createaplaceforartscreateavisiontostartwithdance,music,procession,
collaboratewithvariousgroups
IstheIsthmusareasubservienttoPlanningDepartmentandotheragendas,otherthan
parks.Willthiscreateaprecedent?
Coordinateagendas
Needplacesforpeopletoswimincleanwater,i.e.WardLake
CityputpressureontheStatetofigureoutawaytomakeCapitolLakeavailable
SeparateDowntownPlanfromCRAtoincreaseparkemphasis
Supportprojectsproposedbycoalition
Isthmusareadefinitionisunclear
CapitalCenterBuildingneedstobeacquired
CostestimateforCapitalCenterneedstoberevisedacquisitiononly;not
development
SupportProcessionofSpecies
Needactivityparksindowntownrecreationfeaturesforplay
Strongartsprogramneedsmoresupport
NeighborhoodparkisoutofscaleforhigherdensityareaperCompPlanfor3dense
nodesneedanewstandardforthesearea
DoesthePlanmeettheLOS?NotincludingStateandschoolsinflatestheneedformore
parks.SouthCapitalneighborhooddoesnthaveaneighborhoodpark.
Communityneedstohelpimplementtheplanswimmingi.e.YMCA
Createinterestgroupstoimplementelementsoftheplan
Goodpartsoftheplan,habitat,waterfront
LikeopenspaceinplanWestBayWoods
Leveragefundsworktogetherongrantsandothersources
154
Parkplannotasrealisticasitneedstobemoreareflectionofspecialinterest
Needstofocusonneedstoday
Focusonservicesandbusinesschoicesthatneedtobemade
Wilrequireanothertaxincreasetofundimprovementtotheplan
Needtolookatotherresourcestopayfortheplan
Notgoodrelationshipbetweentheplan,servicesandbusinesscasetofundtheplan
Keepwoodlandtrailwoodland.Dosomeacquisition/privateandpublicalongtrail
Nospotgoesunseengoodtrialdesigntoreducebehavior/crime
FocusonCapitaltoCapitoltrail
Docheaptrailfirsti.e.graveltrails
Mortgagefuturebuynow
Utilizepeoplesenergytostewardthelandandworktogether
Actnownomoreplanningkeepupenthusiasmandimplementtheplan
Ascityrevenuesareshort,additionaltaxeswillbedifficultforcitizens.Thereremains
concerntheCitywilldivertfunds
Budgetdoesnotprovideenoughfundstomaintainparksadequately.
OPARD:Mostoftheissuesherehavebeenaddressedabove.Forthosethathavent:
Encampments:Theplandedicatessubstantialadditionalresourcesforproactivepark
enforcementandencampmentcleanup.
Areschoolfieldswellutilized?Yes,theyareprogramedforcommunityusesoextensivelythat
aproblemisthattheturfdoesnothaveadequatetimetorecoverfromheavyuse.Thiscauses
afarfromidealplayingsurfaceattimes.
Graveltrailswehaveexperimentedwithinstallingcrushedrocktrailsinourinterimuseparks.
ThechallengeisthatwhiletheymeetADArequirementswhentheyareinitiallyinstalled,itis
difficulttomaintainthepropersurfacingandtrailwidthlongterm.
155
FeedbackfromtheOlympiaPlanningCommission,
12/7/15
ConcernaboutusingthetermfundssetasideasinthePlanhasfundssetasidefor
MakesitsoundliketheCityalreadyhasthosefundswheninfacttheyarejustprojected
atthispoint.
Whatistherushintheadoptionprocess?Seemslikethereshouldbemoretimefor
publicreviewandcomment.
Considerparkssmallerthan5acres.Considerastandardforacrepocketparksin
theplan.
Concernsaboutprojectedrevenuesbasedonabondnotyetsecured.
Importanttoconsiderdensity.Needtoensurethatpeopleinhighdensityareasare
served.Landinhighdensityareaswilllikelybemoreexpensivethaninotherareas.
Thismaymakethegoalsofhavingaparkwalkingdistancetoallresidentsandacquiring
500acresmutuallyexclusive.
WiththepurchaseofLBAWoods,highdensitydevelopmentforthatparcelwillnot
occurwhichcoulderodetheeffortstomaketheCitymorecompact.
Concernthat$9millionplannedforPercivalLandingwillnotbesufficient.
Needtomakeitclearthanevenwiththenewfundingsource,everyonewontgetwhat
theywantimmediately.Peoplewillbepayingtaxesbuttherewontbeawholelotof
parkdevelopmentforseveralyears.
OPARD:
Fundssetaside:Perhapsabettertermwouldbeplannedfor
Whyrushedprocess?Thepubliccommentperiodforthedraftplanwasthreeweekslong
whichstafffeltwasanadequateamountoftimetoreadtheplanandprovidecomment.The
planneedstobeadoptedbyCityCouncilbyMarch1,2016inorderforOPARDtobeeligiblefor
thenextWashingtonRecreationandConservationOfficegrantingcycle.
156
Parkssmallerthan5acres:Proposedadditionalsentencetosectiononneighborhoodpark
acquisitiononp.86: Inareaswherefiveacresarenotavailable,smallerparcelswillbe
considered.
BondrevenueTheCapitalInvestmentStrategyisjustthat,astrategynotabudget.The
intentistoshowthatbasedonrevenueprojections,abondaslargeas$18millioncouldbe
securedforlandacquisition.Dependingonwhichparcelsendupbeingpurchasedandwhen
willdeterminehowlargeofabondwouldbeutilized.
DensityYouarecorrectthatdensityshouldbeconsideredwhenwegettothepointwhere
wearedoingfurtheranalysisofwheretolocatefutureneighborhoodparks.
Densityre:LBAWoodsToensurethatthe417acresoflandacquisitionproposedintheplan
didnothaveanadverseimpactonavailablelandforfuturehousing,OPARDaskedtheThurston
RegionalPlanningCounciltoprepareananalysisofthisissue.Theirconclusionwasthateven
withtheacquisitionofthe417acresproposedintheplan,Olympiawouldcontinuetohave
enoughresidentiallandsupplytoaccommodatefuturedemandthrough2035.
$9millionforPercivalnotsufficientYouarecorrectthat$9millionisnotsufficientto
completetherestorationofPercivalLanding.Ifutilizedtoleverageotherfundingsourcesit
wouldbesufficientforanothersubstantialphase.
EveryonewontgetwhattheywantimmediatelyYouareabsolutelycorrect.
157
FeedbackfromtheArtsCommission
12/10/15
Whenimplementingparkdevelopment,incorporateartisticelementsearlyoninthe
designprocess.Forexample,wheninstallingbenches,insteadofbuyingbenchesfroma
catalog,haveanartistdesignthem.Incorporateartistsonthedesignteam.
SeemslikewiththecurrentfocusonimprovingourdowntownwiththeDowntown
Strategy,CommunityRenewalArea,etc,havingtheArtsCenterprojectinthelatter
yearsistoolate.ShouldmovetheArtsCenterintothefirst6yearsoftheplan.
NeedanotherfulltimeFTEfortheartsprogram.
TheArtssectionoftheplanneedstobeabitmoreforwardlooking.Itdoesagoodjob
ofarticulatingwhatwedonowbutnotasgoodatlookingforward.Needtolinkthe
MunicipalArtPlantotheartssectionofthePlan.
InArtsProgramperformancemeasures,includenumberofartistsparticipatinginArts
Walk,notjustbusinesses.
OPARD:
Incorporateartearlyinparkdesign:ChangetoArtssectiononp.44:Worksareacquired
throughavarietyofmethodsincludingcommissionedworks,incorporatingartinto
infrastructurethroughdesignteams,temporaryworksanddirectpurchases.
ArtsCenterProjectshouldbeearlierinplan:ProposedchangetoArtsCentersectiononp.89:
ProposedAction:ThePlansCapitalInvestmentStrategyidentifies$5millioninMPDfundsin20172021
tosupportahighpriorityproject.AnArtsCenterisoneoffourprojectsidentifiedasahighpriority
projecttoutilizethesefunds.
Moreforwardlooking:Changeonp.45:FutureprojectsareidentifiedbytheArtsCommission
throughtheirannualMunicipalArtPlan(addedhyperlinktoMunicipalArtPlan)
LinktoMunicipalArtPlan:MoreInformationsectiononpage115
TheMunicipalArtPlanlaysouta5yearhorizonforpublicart.
ArtsProgramPerformanceMeasuresonP.111112:
BusinessesandArtistsParticipatinginSpringArtsWalk
BusinessesandArtistsParticipatinginFallArtsWalk
158
FeedbackfromPRAC
12/17/15
WrittencommentsfromJimNieland(seep.74&p.140above)andBarbaraBenson(seep.144
above)weresharedwiththegroupanddiscussed.Inaddition,PRACmembershadthe
followingfeedback:
Add trail standards
Big W trail is important and would create seamless experience around waterfront
(example: Burt Gilman Trail)
Fit facilities to the setting/park type
Need connector trail from new hotel by Henderson roundabout to Watershed trail
PAR Plan does not address Isthmus. Parks needs to be more active/take the lead on
Address the Isthmus (Councilmember Roe)
Put action statement at Madison to show funds already allocated
Appreciate partnership with the school district. Look at continuing partnerships.
LOS goal is not clear whether it is industry standard or if it is acceptable/good.
Need process for soliciting donations.
Look at Department of Fish and Wildlife sponsored boat ramps.
OPARD
TrailStandards:TrailStandards:OPARDutilizestheCitysEngineeringandDesign
Developmentstandardsfortrailconstruction.Fortrailmaintenance,OPARDisdevelopingtrail
maintenancestandardsaspartofitsParkMaintenanceServicesLevelscurrentlybeingcrafted.
Big W Trail Staff agrees that this is an important trail. The plan includes funding for
West Bay Park and Trail which is an important leg of this trail.
Fit facilities to the setting Yes, agreed.
159
Need connector trail to Watershed This would be accomplished via the Phase 3 Olympia
Woodland Trail project.
Isthmus See isthmus response (#3) above.
Madison Scenic Park Section on Madison Scenic Park on p. 79 reads: There are prior funds
allocated for a minor park improvement project, the details of which will be determined
through a public planning process.
School District Partnership Staff agrees that this is a very important partnership and
intends to continue and strengthen this partnership.
LOS Goal The National Recreation and Park Association no longer advocates national Level
of Service Standards, but rather standards tailored for the community based on public input.
That is what we have attempted to do with this plan.
Donations A process for soliciting donations is a good idea and something PRAC has
discussed before.
WDFW boat ramps Thank you for the suggestion. We will look into that.
160
Appendix
(PDFAttachmentssubmittedwithemailcomments)
161
Proposal to Olympia Park Department to Purchase Parcels in the Indian Creek Ravine area.
General Description
The Indian Creek Ravine area consists of a series of ridges and ravines on the north and south side of the
Olympia Woodland Trail (OWT). The area starts at Eastside Street and continues to the Boulevard Road
bridge. This proposal looks at the section from Eastside St. to Frederick St.
On both sides of the OWT, most of the ridges slope steeply up from the OWT and steeply down into
ravines. On the south side of the OWT, the ravines separating the ridges are seasonally wet but do not
support wetland plants such as skunk cabbage. On the north side, most of the ridges are separated by
wetlands that include skunk cabbage.
On the south side, the ridges border developed areas on the south and the extreme east and west. On
the north side, only the west end is developed for housing. The east end contains Olympia's Water
Retention Park.
On the north side, noise from Interstate 5 is loud enough to be aversive to recreational activities. On
the south side the noise is at an acceptable level.
Parcels on the north side are unlikely to be developed in the near future, except for the western-most
area. There is no easy access to water on the north side and no power; the wetlands prevent most
ridges from being united. Many former landowners of the northern parcels have allowed their land to
be returned to Thurston County, now the majority landowner of the north side.
Parcels on the south side all have various levels of development possibility. Developers have been
accumulating parcels into sizeable holdings. Access to power and water varies in the different areas,
though all have access to sewer along the OWT.
Currently, multi-block areas on both sides of the trail are for sale.
Benefits of acquisition:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Preserve green space for future generations.

Unify City and County holdings to enable effective enforcement of trespass and debris issues.
Provide the option for future park development.
Increase the safety of the Olympia Woodland Trail and surrounding area by reducing
unregulated activities.
Drawbacks of acquisition:
1. Purchase cost
2. Maintenance and preservation costs include regular patrolling and removal of camps and debris.
a. Patrolling: Two or more hours per week required to walk the side trails and evict any
campers.
b. Removal of camps and debris: Cost will decline over time as area is regularly patrolled
and existing sites are cleaned.
c. Cutting and pulling ivy.
Mitigation for the drawbacks:

1. Purchase cost can be divided across funding cycles by purchasing one section at a time.
2. Maintenance costs are not easily mitigated as few volunteers are interested in cleaning debris
sites.
3. Preservation costs can include volunteer activities such as ivy removal, trail building and trail
surfacing.
Detailed Descriptions--see attached map

North Side
1. Claude Nickerson area
From the OWT, includes side trail L1, a small flat ridge, and two frequently-used camp sides.
From Wheeler, several camp sites exist on the broad flat ridge. The two sections are separated
by a seasonally wet area. They are bordered on the east and west by ravines and housing.
2. Thurston County and Various Private Owners
From the OWT, includes two ridges and trails L2 and L3, with a total of seven frequently used
camp and debris sites, as well as a broad, central wetland. From Wheeler, a shallow gully
separates the east ridge from Wheeler. The central wetland separates the western section from
Central Street. The western section hugs a moderate slope with developed housing above it.
3. Mostly Thurston County and the Private Parcel Between Two City Parcels
From the OWT, includes two ridges with side trails L4 and L7 with five regular campsites,
separated by a broad, shallow basin crossed by Indian Creek. From Wheeler, the ridge on the
west end slopes up steeply; the ridge on the east end is gradual.
South Side
4. Mostly Herbrand
From the OWT, includes a broad, upward-sloping ridge with side trail R2 and five regular
campsites; as well as portions of the ravines on either side. To the west, separated from the
houses on Boundary St. by a shallow, well-drained ravine. To the east, slopes steeply into a
ravine. To the south, backs onto the houses on Ravenna Court.
5. Mostly David Cammarano
From the OWT, includes a steep, narrow, upward sloping ridge with side trail R3 and one
seldom-used camping site. Slopes steeply to the east and west. To the south, slopes up to the
houses on 20th Ave. SE, at the end of Lybarger St. For many years, side trail R3 has been
regularly used by these residents to access the OWT and downtown Olympia.
6. Mostly Ray Berchauer
From the OWT, includes two ridges with side trails R3.5, R4 and R5, five regularly used campsites
and a central ravine. The western ridge, with side trail 3.5, slopes steeply up from the OWT, then
gently downward until it ends below a very steep slope up to the houses at the end of 18th Ave
SE. The eastern ridge, with side trails R4 and R5, slopes up moderately from the OWT and is
broad and flat, sloping mildly upward towards 18th and 17th Avenues SE.
7. Various
From the OWT, this section, with owners ranging from Thurston County to several area
residents, contains a slope with side trail R6 and no regular campsites. It slopes into a ravine on
the west and moderately up to meet a large City of Olympia parcel and Fairview St. SE on the
east. Fairview Ave. currently has no houses on this slope.
Suggested Priorities for Acquisition

1. Consolidate the property on the north side.
This action would give the City a substantial greenbelt on the north side of the Woodland Trail.
Arrange a title transfer of all properties in the Mostly Thurston County section (#3) to the City of
Olympia. Acquire the single parcel held by Hartwise Properties LLC, of Olympia, which sits
between two City-owned parcels.
2. Purchase the Mostly Ray Berschauer section (#6) on the south side.
This action would give the City a substantial flat area for future use, either as a natural area or a
more developed park.
3. Purchase Mostly Herbrand section (#4) on the south side.
This action would provide a natural area for the City. The ridge is too small and too close to
Harry Fain Park to merit development as an additional park
4. Purchase the Mostly David Cammarano section (#5) on the south side.
This action would consolidate ownership of the south side of the trail and provide an
uninterrupted natural area for future residents.
5. Purchase the Various section(#7) on the south side
This action would unite the natural areas on the south side with the current City-owned parcel
at the end of Fairview and Edison St SE. A connection to the OWT, through the Pathways
program, is currently being built on the north edge of this section.
6. Purchase the southern half of the Mostly Claude Nickerson section (#1).
This action would complete the OWT greenbelt between Eastside and Frederick.
Private, between 2
City parcels
3
45
3
43
44
43
3
43
43
1. Mostly
Claude
Nickerson,
currently for
sale
43
48
47
City of
Olympia
43
43 3. Mostly
46
43 43 49
Thurston
County
7. Various
39
40
15
43
15
City of Olympia
40
43
2. Thurston
County and
various
46
private
owners
46
47
48
44
41
42
6. Mostly
15
Ray
15
15
Berschauer
15 15
15
38 38
43
16
15
16
15
1
1
1
4 4 4
4. Mostly
Herbrand
1
Co.
currently
1
for sale,
$200,000
5
6
35
32 32
32
15
34
13
13
13
14
12
34
33
13
37
36
35
13
5. Mostly
David
2 2 2
Cammarano
2 2
15
15
15 15 15 15
15
15
15
15
31
32
17
10
11
10
17
18
18
30 30 30 30 30 30
31
29
19
20
19
20
28
25
27
26
24
21
22
21
9
23
23
22
40
44
Legend
Sewer
Water
Property 43
Owner
Indian Creek Ravine Area Property Owners

#
1
2
3
Name
HERBRAND
COMPANY
CAMMARANO
DAVID A
City of Olympia
BENDER
STEPHANIE D
STECK STACY A
BATES BETTY JO
SNOW COREY
MASON & ROBIN M
MILLER ROBERT G
MUNROE HOLLY
8
9
CURRY OKHI
10
16
ERICKSON
NELSENE R
A PACIFIC COAST
INVESTMENT
PROP LLC
TALLENT JR
LUTHER NIXON
SCHNEIDER
JAMES C
PETIT MELISSA C
HUMANS ON
MOTHER EARTH
LLC
BERSCHAUER
RAYMOND
MORGAN OWEN P
17
SLATE PAUL D
18
LARSEN ERIC M
19
STOCKER JOHN W
11
12
13
14
15
Address
Parcels
315 39TH AVE SW #6

PUYALLUP WA 98373
120 STATE AVE NE PMB 1491
OLYMPIA WA 98501
PO BOX 1967
Olympia 98507
1413 20TH AVE SE
Olympia, WA 98501
2105 LYBARGER ST SE
Olympia 98501
2618 E OLIVE ST
Seattle, WA 98122
2015 LYBARGER ST SE
Olympia, WA 98501
PO BOX 2534
Olympia, WA 98507
13
1608 22ND AVE SE

Olympia, WA 98501
1615 22ND AVE SE
Olympia, WA 98501
10 MARINE VIEW DR
CAMARILLO, CA 93010
PO BOX 35
Clinton, WA 98236-0035
1715 18TH AVE SE
Olympia, WA 98501
2710 ASPINWALL RD NW
Olympia, WA 98502
2670 SAPP RD SW
Tumwater, WA 98502
PO BOX 1092
Olympia, WA 98507
1702 21ST AVE SE
Olympia, WA 98501
1718 21ST AVE SE
Olympia, WA 98501
2015 FIR ST SE
Olympia, WA 98501
10
1
2
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
#
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
Name
FEIST TIMOTHY &
LAURIE
HAYES NED D &
JILL P
LEWIS DONALD G
& ANN G
BETTY S
MOORHEAD LVNG
TRST #2 12-8-2006
CHARLES R S
LVNG TRST #1
DATED 12-8-2006
JENG CHINGHWAN
TSOU TIEN-SHUI
JOHNSON MARK R
& ANNETTE K
RICHARDS LONNIE
SHAWN & JOANNA
BETH
MAAS HELEN
HABERMAN KEITH
S & MELISSA A
LEDGETT JULIUS L
ETAL
34
SNYDER WILLIAM
L
CHRISTIANSON
NELS M
COLCLASURE
MELVIN V
MCCONKEY
RODNEY
NEDROW PATSY C
35
GARCIA ROBYN J
36
ANDERSON
HANNAH
GEROUX DAVID
POTTER BENNETT
F & DAWN M
30
31
32
33
37
Address
Parcels
PO BOX 443
Olympia, WA 98507
1814 21ST AVE SE
Olympia, WA 98501
1926 22ND AVE SE
Olympia, WA 98501
2215 CAPITOL WAY S
Olympia, WA 98501
1925 19TH LN SE
Olympia, WA 98501
6703 OAKBROOK CT SE
Olympia, WA 98513
1864 21ST AVE SE
Olympia, WA 98501
1858 21ST AVE SE

Olympia, WA 98501
1850 21ST AVE SE
Olympia, WA 98501
PO BOX 400
KALAMA, WA 98625
1805 18TH AVE SE

Olympia, WA 98501
1725 18TH AVE SE
Olympia, WA 98501
1725 FAIRVIEW ST SE
Olympia, WA 98501
900 FAIRVIEW ST SE APT D13
Olympia, WA 98501
1819 18TH AVE SE
Olympia, WA 98501
1802 18TH AVE SE
Olympia, WA 98501
1910 18TH AVE SE
Olympia, WA 98501
620 93RD AVE SE

Olympia, WA 98501
2
1
1
1
1
7
1
1
1
1
Name
38
THOMSEN JOHN S
39
SWENSON DAVID
M ETAL
ANDREWS DOTTIE
M
ANGIONO INES
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
HOLBROOK
BURNA JEAN D &
ARTHUR M JR
THURSTON
COUNTY
KLOTZ MICHAEL M
HARTWISE
PROPERTIES LLC
BIRRELL
JOSEPHINE E
NICKERSON
CLAUDE L
KUIPERS WILLIAM
& LYNNETTE
WALDSCHMIDT
DAVID ALAN,
WALDSCHMIDT
PAUL E,
CURNUTT
CAROLYN C
Address
Parcels
10800 THOMSEN RD SE
Olympia, WA 98513
5218 BRENTWOOD DR SE
Lacey, WA 98503
1519 WILSON ST SE
Olympia, WA 98501
551 ELM WAY
EDMONDS, WA 98020
2717 COUNTRY CLUB RD NW
Olympia, WA 98502
2000 LAKERIDGE DR SW
Olympia, WA 98502
1413 FREDERICK ST SE
Olympia, WA 98501
417 101ST AVE SW
Olympia, WA 98512
1317 E LAKE SAMMAMISH SHORE LN SE
SAMMAMISH, WA 98075
3301 171ST PL SW
LYNNWOOD, WA 98037
221 N QUINCE ST
Olympia, WA 98506
2817 18TH AVE SE
Olympia, WA 98501
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
5/13/2014
geoAdvantage: Thurston County of Washington State (App4)
Demographics Report
Thurston County Washington
Site Address:
Olympia WA 98501
Query Distance From Parcel:
1 miles
Parcel ID:
11830330000
Census Blocks In Query:
102
Total
Population
10640
Total
Male
47.9
5096
Female
52.1
5544
Total
Median Age
37.1
39.3
38.6
0-5
306
276
582
5.5
1-person household - male
125
5-9
412
365
777
7.3
1-person household - female
421
10-14
487
481
968
9.1
15-17
312
292
604
5.7
Family households, married-couple family, w/

own children under 18 yrs
1177
18-19
125
127
252
2.4
2461
20-24
148
200
348
3.3
Family households, married-couple family, no

own children under 18 yrs
25-29
227
249
476
4.5
30-34
244
268
512
4.8
Family households, other family, male

householder, no wife present, w/ own children
under 18 yrs
80
35-39
332
403
735
6.9
40-44
377
443
820
7.7
45-49
402
507
909
8.5
50-54
412
470
882
8.3
55-59
409
439
848
8.0
60-64
346
375
721
6.8
65-69
196
211
407
3.8
70-74
123
134
257
2.4
75-79
86
115
201
1.9
80-84
60
86
146
1.4
85+
61
90
151
1.4
Total
8740 82.1
Black
119 1.1
Asian
Pacific Islander
12
.1
915 8.6
19
.2
Multirace
354 3.3
Hispanic
420 3.9
Other
http://geo.sentrydynamics.net/WA_Thurston/default.aspx
13
3007
Family households, other family, female

householder, no husband present, w/ own
children under 18 yrs
White
American Indian
Total
Total Households
278
%
Total housing units
Total
4161
Housing units - urban
.0
Housing units - rural
.0
3.6
151
Owner occupied
96.4
4010
Renter occupied
1.3
56
Housing units - vacant
.1
1/3
5/13/2014
Demographics Report
Thurston County
Site Address:
Olympia WA 98501
Query Distance From Parcel:
1 miles
Parcel ID:
11830330000
Census Blocks In Query:
102
2/3
5/13/2014
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Public Comments and Proposed Changes To Draft 2016 Parks, Arts and Recreation Plan

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Public Comments and Proposed Changes To Draft 2016 Parks, Arts and Recreation Plan

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*Updated 01/06/16

He remembers going to Beaver Lake Park in the Sammamish Plateau in

Destruction of Olympias urban forests for growth and development are

Two currently undeveloped Olympia parks properties are especially

By applying for grants to create a daylighted and restored Moxlie Creek,

Purchase West Bay and isthmus properties for contiguous waterfront

Somecomments regardingthe2016 DraftPark,Arts and

According toGR 2onpage55ofthedraft plan,theCitywill seek non

Add trail standards

Fit facilities to the setting/park type

Address the Isthmus (Councilmember Roe)

Put action statement at Madison to show funds already allocated

Appreciate partnership with the school district. Look at continuing partnerships.

LOS goal is not clear whether it is industry standard or if it is acceptable/good.

Need process for soliciting donations.

Look at Department of Fish and Wildlife sponsored boat ramps.

Preserve green space for future generations.

Mitigation for the drawbacks:

Detailed Descriptions--see attached map

Suggested Priorities for Acquisition

Indian Creek Ravine Area Property Owners

315 39TH AVE SW #6

1608 22ND AVE SE

1858 21ST AVE SE

1805 18TH AVE SE

620 93RD AVE SE

geoAdvantage: Thurston County of Washington State (App4)

Thurston County Washington

Query Distance From Parcel:

Census Blocks In Query:

1-person household - male

1-person household - female

Family households, married-couple family, w/

Family households, married-couple family, no

Family households, other family, male

Family households, other family, female

Housing units - urban

Housing units - rural

Housing units - vacant

geoAdvantage: Thurston County of Washington State (App4)

Query Distance From Parcel:

Census Blocks In Query:

geoAdvantage: Thurston County of Washington State (App4)

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