HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 Parks And Recreation Functional PlanCity of Port Townsend
Parks, Recreation and Open Space
Functional Plan
Effective Date: March 17, 2014
(Adopted by Ordinance 3105)
Parks, Recreation and Open Space
Functional Plan 2014
City Council
David King, Mayor Kris Nelson, Deputy Mayor
Pamela Adams Michelle Sandoval
Robert Gray Deborah Stinson
Catharine Robinson
Parks, Recreation & Trees Advisory Board (PRTAB)
Rosemary Sikes Deborah Jahnke
Ron Sikes Lys Burden
Jason Cecil
City Staff
David Timmons, City Manager Rick Sepler, AICP, Community Services Director
Ken Clow, Public Works Director Judy Surber, Senior Planner/Planning Manager
John McDonagh, Senior Planner Steve Wright, Park Maintenance Lead
Anji Scalf, Lead Operator, Mountain View Pool
Acknowledgements
The City of Port Townsend wishes to thank the following individuals
for their contributions in developing this plan:
Jeremy Bubnick, Former Parks & Recreation Manager
Arvilla Ohlde, AjO Consulting
PRTAB and Planning Commission Subcommittee Members
Rosemary Sikes, Deborah Jahnke, and Monica Mick-Hager
Members Emeritus of the Parks, Recreation & Trees Advisory Board
Barbara Smith, Matthew Berberich, Forest Shomer, and Daniel Milholland
Adopted: 2014
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page
Executive Summary 1
Section I: Introduction 4
1.1. Community Vision - Parks & Recreation Mission 4
1.2. Purpose 5
1.3. Relationship to Other Plans 5
1.4. The Planning Process 8
1.5. Past Planning & Implementation 8
Section 2. Where We Are: Community Profile 10
2.1 Geographic Setting 10
2.2 Historic Character 10
2.3 Population Characteristics 11
2.3.1 Population Growth 11
2.3.2. Community Health and Well-Being 12
Section 3. What We Have: Inventory 14
3.1. Port Townsend Recreation 14
3.1.1. Recreation: 20th Century 14
3.1.2. Recreation: 21st Century 14
3.1.3. Recreation: Current Operations 15
3.2. Port Townsend Parks 16
3.2.1. Defining City Parks 16
3.2.2. Urban Pocket Parks 18
3.2.3. Neighborhood Parks 20
3.2.4. Community Parks 20
3.3. Open Space 20
3.4. Additional Facilities 23
3.5. Management and Collaborations 25
3.5.1. Parks and Recreation Management Structure 25
3.5.2. Volunteers and Adopt A Park 25
3.5.3. Non-motorized Transportation Advisory Board 25
3.5.4. Combining Parks, Recreation and Trees 27
Section 4. Where We Want To Go: Goals and Policies 28
Section 5. What We Need: Demand and Need Analysis 33
5.1. Order of Analysis 33
5.2. Development of Local Standards - What Constitutes 'Need'? 34
5.2.1. Acres per Capita 34
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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5.2.2. Local Service Standards - Park Function and Accessibility 35
5.2.3. Residential Level of Service 36
5.2.4. Commercial Level of Service 39
5.3. Demographic Trends - Then and Now 40
5.4. Community Input 41
5.5. Tourism 43
5.6. Maintenance and Operations 44
5.6. Conclusions 44
Section 6. How We Will Get There: Implementation 45
6.1. Overview 45
6.2. Core Themes 46
6.3. Long-term Capital Recommendations 47
6.4. Six-Year Capital Recommendations/Capital Improvement Program (CIP) 48
6.5. Funding Resources 51
List of Figures
Figure 2.1. Obesity in adults, Washington state, 1990-2009 13
Figure 3.1. Park Facilities Map 17
Figure 3.2. Open Space Inventory Map 21
Figure 3.3. Open Space Values and Functions 23
Figure 3.4. Park Facilities by Other Agencies Map 24
Figure 3.5. Management Structure of Parks and Recreation Division 25
Figure 3.6. Trails Map 26
Figure 5.1. Neighborhood Park Service Areas Map 37
Figure 5.2. Pocket Park Service Areas Map 38
Figure 5.3. Port Townsend Population Age Distribution, 2000 and 2010, US Census 41
Figure 5.4. Ranked Activities by Importance in Community Surveys 1975-2010 42
List of Tables
Table 2.1. Port Townsend and Jefferson County population, US Census 1980-2010 12
Table 2.2. Population projections for Port Townsend 2015-2040 using OFM forecast 12
Table 3.1. Port Townsend Park Inventory 18
Table 3.2. Port Townsend Park Type and Function 19
Table 3.3. Additional Public Park Facilities 22
Table 5.1. Need Analysis - Conventional LOS per 1000 People 35
Table 5.2. Park Type and Function 36
Table 5.3. Port Townsend demographic changes, 2000-2010, from US Census 40
Table 6.1. Capital Improvement Projects 50
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Table of Contents
Appendices
Appendix page
Appendix A. Description of City Assets 1
Appendix B. Open Space and Other Regional Assets 29
Appendix C. Public Involvement: 2010 Community Survey and Youth Survey 42
Appendix D. Glossary and Acronyms 112
Appendix E. References 116
Appendix F. Adopting Ordinance 117
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Executive Summary
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The 2014 Parks, Recreation & Open Space Functional Plan for Port Townsend represents the
City’s vision, goals and objectives for the development of parks and open space in Port
Townsend for the next six years and beyond. It updates and replaces the 1999 Parks,
Recreation & Open Space Functional Plan.
A functional plan provides a tool with which public officials, staff and community members can
plan for future parks and recreation needs for the Port Townsend community. This Plan
presents a logical, consistent and purposeful approach to managing parks, open space and
recreation services. It will serve as a guide for public policy and development decisions to
preserve and enhance the quality of life that makes Port Townsend a unique and engaging
place to work, live, play and visit.
This plan was developed with input from:
• Parks, Recreation and Trees Advisory Board
• Public workshops, meetings, and public responses received during plan development
• Information gathered from community surveys from 1975 to the present
• Parks and Recreation Division staff, Planning staff and Public Works staff
• Planning Commission
• City Council
Several key themes emerged from community members during the planning process for
improving and expanding park and recreation services. These include:
• Protection of existing open space and passive recreation areas
• More accessible trails (nature, hiking, walking) and interconnection of trails with existing
parks, schools and neighborhoods
• Additional park and open space needs on the west end of town
• Upgrading and repairing facilities/properties that the City already has established
• Recreation programs for all ages (especially youth and teens)
• Preserving habitat and wildlife corridors
• Development of additional street ends for pocket parks
• Providing long-term community access to a swimming pool
Since the adoption of the 1999 Functional Plan, the City of Port Townsend's population has
grown by almost 1,000 residents. In 2002, the City contracted with the YMCA of Jefferson
County to provide recreation programs for City residents, providing start-up funding for a decade
and now providing facilities for programming. In 2011, the City also committed half of its public
safety sales tax revenues to the County to provide for recreational opportunities at County-
owned facilities within City limits, an arrangement that will terminate in May 2015. The City
continues to collaborate with area partners and explore alternative means to provide
recreational opportunities.
Improvements to park facilities and inventory are highlighted by the construction of the
Skateboard Park; redesign of Pope Marine Park in the heart of the downtown’s Historic District;
addition of property to 35th Street Park; purchase of land and initiation of development of a
small park on Parkside Drive; and updating of play equipment and restrooms at Chetzemoka
and Bobby McGarraugh Parks. The transfer of ownership from the Port of Port Townsend to the
City and 6(f)(3) protection for the entirety of Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park was completed.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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Executive Summary
The City’s park inventory (2014) includes:
• Urban Pocket Parks: Primarily located in the downtown/uptown urban core and in
outlying commercial and industrial areas, pocket parks provide an open area where
people can rest, watch and eat in pleasant surroundings with a few simple amenities.
Ten parks totaling 3.39 acres currently exist in this category, including Adams, Bell
Tower, City Entrance, Haller Fountain/Terrace Steps, Pope Marine/Jackson Bequest,
Rotary, the three Triangle parks: Triangle I or Dahlia (aka Master Gardeners), Triangle II
or Gateway and Triangle III or Intersection; and Tyler Street Stairs.
• Neighborhood Parks: Neighborhood parks serve the needs of an immediate residential
neighborhood. Neighborhood parks may be developed with highly landscaped areas and
amenities; maintained in near natural state with primitive public trails as the primary
amenity; or a combination of the two. Nine neighborhood parks totaling 23.17 acres
currently exist in this category, including 13th and Hancock, 35th Street, Baker View,
Bishop/Parkside, Bobby McGarraugh, Dog Park at Chetzemoka, Elmira, Golden Age
and Sather Parks.
• Community Parks: Community parks tend to be larger than neighborhood parks and
draw residents from a wider distance than do neighborhood parks. Their features are
generally unique for the area (e.g., Kah Tai Lagoon) or they provide a unique function
(e.g. Skateboard Park). There are four community parks totaling 90.76 acres, including
Chetzemoka Park, Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park, Larry Scott Trail and the Skateboard
Park.
This Functional Plan uses a variety of methods to assess future demand for park and recreation
facilities. Methods include: comparing projected populations with the city’s adopted level of
service standard (LOS); an assessment of function, distribution and access: analysis of
demographic characteristics; community input; a review of the impacts of tourism; and finally,
consideration of available resources.
In the 1996 Comprehensive Plan, the City adopted a recommended Level of Service (LOS)
standard of 7.6 acres per 1,000 citizens. As in the 1999 Functional Plan, the LOS calculations in
this 2014 Plan did not include the City Golf Course (due to the specificity of its service
population) or the lagoon and wetlands at Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park (44.74 acres).
Excluding these areas, the current number of acres of park property is 72.61 acres which meets
the recommended level of service for the current population. However, throughout the
development of this Functional Plan a number of deficiencies in the current citywide park
system were identified:
• Based on anticipated population growth, additional park acreage will be needed by
2025
• Residents in the northwest side of the city lack adequate access to a neighborhood
park
• Pocket parks are lacking in the Upper Sims Way Commercial Corridor
• Demographic indicators point to a greater need for after-school programs as well as
safe access to public parks with ADA features
• It has also been identified that the community would like to see a dedicated (and
sufficiently sized) dog park as well as improvement and expansion of interconnected,
signed and accessible trails and paths and an expanded community recreation
program that engages the city’s youth
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Executive Summary
• Many of the current park facilities need improvements and renovations
• Staffing and funding levels for parks are not proportionate to the city’s population.
The determined conclusions are based on citizen input at public meetings, through Citywide
surveys, input from the Parks, Recreation & Trees Advisory Board, as well as ongoing
community input and contributions from city staff.
Care was taken to put together a realistic plan of action while recognizing the financial strain
most public agencies face due to the current economic environment. That is not to say that
every recommendation will be accomplished during the six year lifespan of this Plan. Rather, as
funding dollars remain scarce, diligent work will be conducted to leverage local dollars against
possible matching grant funds. The donation of labor, funds and/or land will also be explored as
we work to fulfill the needs of the community. This Plan lists different options and strategies to
aid the completion of the recommended improvements/expansions.
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1. Introduction.
SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION
The City’s Comprehensive Plan calls for development of a parks and recreation functional plan
and implementation strategy which addresses the community's needs for active and passive
recreation opportunities (Land Use Policy 4.1). Over fourteen years have passed since the
1999 Parks, Recreation & Open Space Functional Plan was adopted by the Port Townsend
City Council. It is time to reassess and, if needed, adjust the plan for the future.
Much has changed since the 1999 plan; the City opened a state-of-the-art skateboard park in
2006, a national recession hit in 2008, the Port of Port Townsend transferred 29 acres of
property at Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park to the City in 2013. The Parks, Recreation & Open
Space Functional Plan (Parks Plan) is intended to provide a snapshot of the City parks and
recreation system as well as reflect the needs and desires of the community as it relates to the
current and future operation of facilities and assets. Needs and demand will continue to
increase and evolve as the City grows. The provision of parks, open space and recreational
programs must be within the means of the residents. As in most communities in America, the
ongoing challenge of funding park and recreation services forces hard choices.
1.1. Community Vision – Parks & Recreation Mission
The community direction statement from the Comprehensive Plan forms the foundation of this
Parks, Recreation & Open Space Functional Plan. Parks and open space are a constant theme
throughout the community direction statement, reflecting an integral role in the community’s
identity. Residents and visitors alike enjoy parks and trails as part of their daily schedules and
take advantage of the city’s waterfront and beach access. Whether enjoyed in solitude or as
gathering spaces, the park system of the City of Port Townsend enriches the life of the
community. Specifically, the direction statement describes:
• An “extensive system of parks and open spaces including many environmentally
sensitive areas that provide significant wildlife habitat”.
• Provision of a broad range of amenities from urban “town squares and streets lined with
trees” to rural “green spaces that combine with the lower Olympics, the Cascades and
marine vistas to create a dramatic backdrop for an attractive and memorable place”.
• Parks that add to the city’s strong sense of community: “Historic commercial buildings,
long established residential areas, and parks, town squares and streets lined with trees
give the City an atmosphere of relaxed permanence. Parks, gateways and walkways are
rich with historical monuments and public art.”
• A network of green spaces accessible throughout the city as part of daily routines: “The
City is pedestrian oriented, and neighbors greet one another as they walk by for work,
play or exercise. The City's tree-lined walks, trails and streets provide shade and habitat
and reinforce Port Townsend's network of green spaces. Open spaces offering an
opportunity for rest, views, contemplation and enjoyment of the natural environment are
found throughout the City.”
• A city that “cultivates opportunities for the youth of our town to play, socialize, find
entertainment, work, and be involved in extra-curricular experiences.”
• A city where “public spaces are free of litter, well maintained and richly planted with flora
that blends with the native vegetation.”
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1. Introduction.
• Volunteerism is also valued by the community: “Volunteerism remains essential to the
fabric of the community. Citizen volunteers enrich the community by donating their time
and services…”. Affordability is a critical concern. Port Townsend’s desire for better
parks and recreational opportunities must be balanced by a clear understanding of the
consequences of increased tax burdens on struggling families and seniors. The
community should make better use of the creativity and sweat equity of volunteers and
look for all possible alternatives for funding before seeking to raise taxes.
Mission: The mission of the City of Port Townsend Parks & Recreation Division is to preserve
and enhance natural resources and open space for future generations, to develop and maintain
quality park spaces and recreation facilities and to provide diverse recreation and leisure
programs.
1.2. Purpose of this Functional Plan
The overall objective of the Parks, Recreation & Open Space Functional Plan is to guide
development of park and recreation facilities and programs which are responsive to the needs
and interests of Port Townsend residents for the next decades. It presents a logical, consistent
and purposeful approach to managing parks and recreation services. Implementation of this
Parks Plan will preserve and enhance the quality of life and the natural beauty that makes the
area home to its citizens and a destination for visitors.
This Parks Plan examines Port Townsend’s existing park and open space system, assesses
needs, identifies short- and long-term recommendations, details funding sources and prioritizes
our next steps. It refines the goals and policies for Parks, Recreation and Open Space set forth
in the Comprehensive Plan. Through implementation of the Parks Plan, the parks and
recreation programs will be better able to provide a full range of recreational activities, park
assets, facilities and strategies to implement the open space component of the Comprehensive
Plan. In addition, it will maintain the City’s eligibility for state and federal grant funds.
The specific elements of this Parks Plan include:
• Analysis of the city’s population and setting
• Analysis of existing parks, open space, recreation and trail assets
• Analysis of current Parks and Recreation Division operations
• Assessment of the community’s park and recreation program and facility needs
• Recommendations for the acquisition, development and improvement of parks, open
space and trails within the city
• Recommendations for funding and implementing this Plan.
1.3. Relationship to Other Plans & Studies
This Parks Plan builds on a number of past programs, plans, ordinances and studies and is
intended to integrate with several existing plans which are interrelated with the parks, open
space and recreation system. The following provides a brief summary.
Port Townsend Comprehensive Plan
The overall context of this Parks Plan is directed by the Comprehensive Plan. The 1996
Comprehensive Plan establishes the community vision and provides goals and policies for
parks, recreation, open space and trails. The Land Use Map is intended to guide both public
and private actions with regard to future land use. Planning specific to parks and open space
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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1. Introduction.
should: maintain or improve the character and livability of established neighborhoods; protect
natural resource lands and environmentally sensitive areas; create desirable and distinctive
neighborhoods based on their cultural and natural characteristics; and provide for a
comprehensive and interconnected system of parks, open spaces and trails. The
Comprehensive Plan sets a Level of Service (LOS) standard for parks as discussed further in
Section 5.
1999 Parks, Recreation & Open Space Functional Plan
The 1999 Plan was the first parks functional plan update since the completion of the 1996
Comprehensive Plan. The 1999 Plan updated and replaced the 1991 Plan while working within
the context provided by the Comprehensive Plan. It sought to refine the Comprehensive Plan
goals and policies relevant to parks, open space, trails and recreation to more fully reflect
community values and vision. The 1999 Plan is superseded by this 2014 Parks Plan.
Shoreline Master Program
The Shoreline Master Program (SMP) was started in Port Townsend in 1974. An extensive
update, initiated in 2001 and completed in 2007, was prepared to carry out the responsibilities
imposed on Port Townsend by the Washington State Shoreline Management Act (RCW 90.58);
to promote uses and development of the Port Townsend shoreline consistent with the Port
Townsend Comprehensive Plan while protecting and restoring environmental resources; and to
promote the public health, safety and general welfare by providing a guide and regulation for the
future development of the shoreline resources of Port Townsend
(http://www.cityofpt.us/user/image/smp.pdf). Policies contained in the 1990 Urban Waterfront
Plan (a sub-area land use and urban design plan focusing on the downtown waterfront) were
incorporated into the SMP.
Non-Motorized Transportation Plan
The 1998 Non-Motorized Transportation Plan was updated in 2011
(https://weblink.cityofpt.us/WebLink8/DocView.aspx?id=61902&&dbid=0). The Non-Motorized
Transportation Plan addresses transportation for pedestrians and bicyclists through
development of trails and other facilities. The main goal of the planning process is to integrate
bicycle and pedestrian transportation into the City’s circulation patterns. The Non-Motorized
Transportation Advisory Board has overseen the development of 31 miles of trails in Port
Townsend; many of those are through parks, adjacent to parks, or connecting parks and
neighborhoods.
Stormwater Management Plan
The goals of the City’s Stormwater Management Plan are "to provide adequate drainage for the
area under ultimate planned development conditions and to minimize the potential impact of
urban runoff pollutants to designated receiving waters”. The City’s Stormwater Management
Plan, originally adopted in 1987, notes that increased urban development can alter existing
stormwater drainage patterns which can lead to new drainage problems in areas that previously
were unaffected and to increased water quality issues. The retention of open spaces including
City park lands has a moderating effect on the quantity and quality of stormwater run-off. Kah
Tai Lagoon Nature Park and Bishop Park are essential elements of the City’s stormwater
system while the Golf Course and 35th Street Park also play a considerable role in stormwater
management. However, all designated open space tends to reduce drainage impacts.
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1. Introduction.
Gateway Development Plan
The Port Townsend Gateway Development Plan, adopted by Council in August 1993, provides
a comprehensive blueprint for actions to improve traffic safety along the Sims Way/State Route
Corridor, make the City’s entrance more visually inviting, and promote the economic vitality of
district businesses. The 1999 Parks, Recreation & Open Space Functional Plan identified the
importance of additional open space designation and park development in commercial zones,
especially along this corridor.
Quimper Wildlife Corridor Management Plan
The Quimper Wildlife Corridor Management (QWC) Plan identifies a series of wetlands and
forested open space along a 3.5 mile corridor in the northwest area of the city. Spearheaded by
the Jefferson Land Trust, the intent of the Plan is to preserve an undeveloped wildlife corridor of
native vegetation connecting important wildlife habitat areas between Fort Worden and the
Middlepoint Land Conservancy.
The QWC Plan includes stewardship recommendations and information on public trails, signage
and interpretive/education opportunities. City Council adopted the Quimper Wildlife Corridor
Management Plan by Ordinance 2976 in May 2008 and sponsored the successful applications
for two IAC grants for the Corridor.
Jefferson County Non-Motorized Transportation Plan - Larry Scott Memorial Trail
Though the majority of the County Plan addresses facilities beyond the city limits, one key
facility, the Larry Scott Memorial Trail, will ultimately connect Port Townsend with the Olympic
Discovery Trail providing non-motorized access from Port Townsend to the Pacific Ocean
through Sequim and Port Angeles.
Located on the former Seattle & North Coast Railroad grade, the Trail realizes a plan envisioned
by community member Larry Scott, who first sought funding for a community trail. Port
Townsend owns and manages 7.07 acres at the trailhead in the Boat Haven. Jefferson County
owns and manages the 7.3-mile non-motorized, multi-use Larry Scott Memorial Trail from Port
Townsend Boat Haven to Milo Curry Road in the Four Corners Area of Discovery Bay. The
City’s Non-Motorized Transportation Plan and this Park Plan recognize the linear park as an
important transportation and recreation link to Jefferson County.
Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park
Over the years, a number of plans and studies have been completed relating to Kah Tai Lagoon
Nature Park. The 1986, 1991 and 1999 Parks Plans contain references to a “master plan” for
the park. However, this reference appears to be to a collection of documents rather than to a
singular, stand-alone plan as one would expect today. Many of these past documents were
developed with the assistance of grant funding.A 1980-81 Land and Water Conservation Fund
(LWCF) acquisition grant allowed purchase of private parcels at Kah Tai to create a nature park,
and a 1983 IAC grant partially funded park development.
The 1983 grant was to be funded in two phases focused on the southern uplands resulting from
dredge spoils emplacement. Seattle architectural firm Bassetti/Norton/Metler/Rekevics, Seattle
landscape architectural firm MacLeod Reckord, and landscape architect Jestena Boughton
developed plans for site development, landscape furniture, and park construction specifications.
In 1985, City Council approved the 'Shoreline Substantial Development Permit Application'
request to dig the small lagoon as a part of park development. Ornithologist Dr. Dennis Paulson
favorably reviewed the development plan at the request of the Jefferson/Port Townsend
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1. Introduction.
Shoreline Management Advisory Commission and it was approved by WA Department of
Ecology. Permitted plans finalized by the Army Corps of Engineers stated the designated
purpose as: 'Restore Wildlife Habitat'. Funding for the second phase did not materialize and
completion of the recommended landscape design was inhibited by ownership disputes
resolved in 2013. Community volunteers continue to care for the park and implement
landscaping as envisioned by these early efforts.
1.4. The Planning Process
The planning process comprised four basic steps. The first step involved an inventory and
assessment of the condition of the current park and recreation facilities and properties. The
assessment was done by the parks and recreation staff and was discussed at weekly staff
meetings. In these meetings the staff identified, prioritized and provided cost estimates for
repairs and improvements. This information, in addition to public input, was used as a guide in
the development of the capital improvement program.
The second step involved a comprehensive public survey delivered to a random sample of city
utility customers (2,250) along with their bills. The 2010 Parks and Recreation survey quantified
impressions citizens have of their community, identified areas for improvement and reinforced
the conclusions of more than three decades of community surveys. Public input was also
collected at public meetings and at the Parks, Recreation and Trees Advisory Board meetings.
The third step in the process was to assess the parks and recreation services currently being
provided by the city and to determine what modifications to the levels of service are needed.
This determination was based on public meetings, the city wide survey, input from the Parks,
Recreation and Trees Advisory Board, ongoing community input and contributions from city
staff.
The fourth and final step in the process was to establish priorities and a timeline for the
implementation of this Functional Plan. This includes recommendations for improving and
expanding park and recreation services in the city in addition to identifying a series of strategies
for funding and managing the Parks and Recreation Division for the next six years.
1.5 Past Planning and Implementation
The City completed its last Parks Functional Plan in 1999. Since that time, much progress has
been made including:
● Preservation of significant open space areas including the Winona Wetland and the Levinski
property.
● Construction of trails for new residential and commercial developments and paths along San
Juan Avenue.
● Addition of property to the 35th Street Park inventory and consideration of appropriate
recreational facilities in concert with neighborhood preferences.
● Design and construction of several stormwater treatment/detention facilities that will
enhance passive recreation, provide urban open space, and restore wildlife habitat.
● Construction of the Skateboard Facility.
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1. Introduction.
● Complete redesign and installation in and around Pope Marine Park and the Jackson
Bequest.
● Acquisition of a public walkway in connection with the Northwest Maritime Center.
● Lease of the entire Mountain View School property, now known as Mountain View
Commons, with efforts underway to develop a long-term trust management relationship with
the property's owner, the Port Townsend School District.
● Completion of City Dock replacement, Pope Marine Building rehabilitation, and Union Wharf
reconstruction funded substantially by grants. Union Wharf and City Dock were transferred
to Port of Port Townsend ownership on 24 July 2013 in exchange for Port-owned land at
Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park.
● Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park’s 6(f)(3) boundary map was finalized in 2013. (Follow-up
actions will include recording with the County Auditor copies of the 6(f)(3) map, Project
Agreement and Amendments as well as additional relevant historical records and
documentation.)
● Purchase of property for a neighborhood park in southwest Port Townsend and initiation of
park development adjacent to Bishop Park at Parkside Drive in September 2013.
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Section 2. Community Profile.
SECTION 2: COMMUNITY PROFILE
2.1. Geographic Setting
The City of Port Townsend is located on the northeast tip of the Quimper Peninsula (the
northeastern portion of the Olympic Peninsula) in eastern Jefferson County, Washington State.
The Strait of Juan de Fuca forms the northern boundary of the City, with Admiralty Inlet adjacent
to the east and Port Townsend Bay on the southeast. Unincorporated portions of Jefferson
County border the City on the southwest and west.
The City is in the Olympic rain shadow, a climatologically unique phenomenon characterized by
relatively low levels of precipitation, with approximately 18 inches of rain annually. With water on
three sides, maritime climate prevails; winters are mild and summers cool. The combination of
maritime climate and the rain shadow result in one of the most comfortable climates in the
Pacific Northwest.
The natural setting of this "Key City" of the Peninsula is accentuated with buildings and green
spaces that combine with the Olympic Mountains, the Cascade Mountains and marine vistas to
create a dramatic backdrop for an appealing and memorable place. By ferry and car, the city is
the gateway to the Olympic Peninsula's natural wonders. With the exception of several shoreline
cliffs, the topography is not severe. Elevation ranges from sea level to 300 feet. The City
encompasses approximately 7.3 square miles or about 4,652 acres.
2.2. Historic Character
Port Townsend has a semi-rural, small town character and an impressive Victorian architectural
and maritime heritage. Founded in 1851, the city harbors a wealth of superb Victorian era homes
recognized on the National Historic Register. These historic buildings provide a magnificent
backdrop and preserve a tangible link to Port Townsend's vanished dreams of being the
preeminent city of the Puget Sound region. In 1980, the Heritage Conservation and Recreation
Service granted Port Townsend National Historic Landmark status, the highest possible level of
distinction and protection. The greatest concentration of historically significant commercial
buildings is in the Central Business District on Port Townsend Bay, although most of the
architecturally interesting residential structures are located on the hill above the downtown area.
A wide choice of housing types and prices is available for a diversity of lifestyles and incomes.
Residential developments are centered in distinct neighborhoods that are safe, secure, and have
identities and characters of their own. Opportunities for socializing, recreation, quiet and solitude
are all close at hand, as are facilities and events that enrich the body, mind, and spirit.
Fort Worden State Park and Conference Center occupies the northeast tip of the Peninsula
within Port Townsend city limits. The 434-acre fort was built in the late 1890s and contains a
fascinating collection of Victorian houses, barracks, theater, parade grounds and a labyrinth of
concrete artillery batteries. The Fort was converted to a State Park in 1971 and has been
developed into a conference and recreation center. The State Park is also designated as a
Historic District and National Historic Landmark. The Centrum Foundation, located in the Park
and established in 1974, provides creative workshops and hosts a wide variety of programs in
the arts which attract visitors from around the country on a year-round basis. In August 2013 the
Fort Worden Public Development Authority signed an operating agreement and 50-year lease
with the State of Washington via Washington State Parks for 90 acres of the Fort property
described as 'the Campus' and defined as the 'built area' or the historic buildings within the Park,
devoted to cultural, artistic, educational, and historic programs and activities. The Fort Worden
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Section 2. Community Profile.
Public Development Authority's (FWPDA) mission is to facilitate the implementation of a Lifelong
Learning Center consistent with the Washington State Arts Commission's 2008 plan for the
facilities. The PDA is charged with renovating the structures and populating them with tenants
that support the goal of lifelong learning. This agreement will not change the use of the Park's
natural areas and does not include the LWCF features within the Park.
Port Townsend's historic commercial buildings, long established residential areas, parks, town
squares, and tree lined streets give Port Townsend an atmosphere of relaxed permanence.
Parks, gateways, and walkways focus on special places including historic structures and natural
features of the area. Buses provide useful transportation options for workers, shoppers, and
visitors. The City has developed a system of trails and bikeways. A mature urban forest provides
shade and habitat and reinforces Port Townsend's existing network of green spaces.
City park development traces a similar historic timeline. The Bell Tower was built in 1890 for fire
calls, and now shelters a tiny park with benches overlooking the historic downtown and the bay.
The original Galatea statue was donated in 1903 and replaced in 1993 with a replica that is now
the centerpiece of Terrace Steps/Haller Fountain downtown. Chetzemoka Park was established
overlooking Admiralty Inlet in 1904 by the Civic Club, an offshoot of the Native Daughters of
Washington(Simpson 1986). Sather Park is the location of a now-vanished, half-constructed
hotel started in 1886. The abandoned site became a City park in 1925 when Mayor Sather
arranged the land purchase from the County and dedicated it to park use. Bishop Park was
deeded to the City in 1966 as a part of the Bishop family's plat. Bobby McGarraugh Park has
grown up around a retired gravel pit with City park development beginning in earnest in 1973.
Citizen effort leading to an LWCF grant proposal in 1980 began the development of Kah Tai
Lagoon Nature Park. The Skate Park was built with Interagency Committee for Outdoor
Recreation (IAC) and City matching funds in 2006 and a small neighborhood park at Parkside
Drive is underway at the end of 2013. As neighborhoods have been created and needs made
manifest, parks have grown in concert if not always in perfect harmony. (See Appendix A for
additional history on the City’s individual parks).
2.3. Population Characteristics
Demand for park facilities is directly related to the makeup of the community including
population, age, health, and household composition. A look at Port Townsend’s demographics is
one measure that can help determine how much and what kind of park land is needed to serve
the specific needs of the community. The demographic information below is a broad overview
based on information developed from U.S. Census data and the Washington State Department
of Health (DOH).
2.3.1. Population Growth
Under the Growth Management Act, all cities must designate sufficient land with appropriate
densities to accommodate the next 20 years of projected population growth. Both the Port
Townsend 1996 Comprehensive Plan and the 1999 Parks, Recreation & Open Space Functional
Plan were developed during a period of rapid population growth and assumed a compound
annual growth rate of 2.66%. For the period 1996-2002, the actual rate was just 0.93%.
In 2003, the County and City adjusted the Joint Population Forecast and Allocation by mutual
agreement. As of 2003, Port Townsend's Comprehensive Plan is designed to accommodate a
population of 13,329, or 4,985 additional residents between 2000 and 2024. This projection
anticipates that the City's population will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 1.97% over
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 11
Section 2. Community Profile.
the course of the planning period. The 2010 Census confirms that growth is slower than the
1.97% projected (Table 2.1.).
Table 2.1. Port Townsend and Jefferson County population, US Census 1980-2010.
1980
Census
1990
Census
2000
Census
2010
Census
Change
2000-2010
Port
Townsend
6,067 7,001 8,334 9,113 779
Jefferson
County
15,965 20,406 26,299 29,872 3,573
The City is currently in discussion with the County on proposed revisions to the Joint Population
Forecast and Allocation. Revisions will be based on the Office of Financial Management's (OFM)
mid-range forecast. Based on the State’s medium growth rate of 1.01% compounded annual
growth for Jefferson County with a starting population for the City of 9,113 from the 2010 Census
yields Table 2.2. This updated forecast and allocation anticipates a slower growth rate than was
projected under the city’s initial GMA Comprehensive Plan in 1996. Jefferson County has agreed
in principle with this approach. This 2014 Parks, Recreation & Open Space Functional Plan is
based on the population forecast assumed in Table 2.2.
Table: 2.2. Population projections for Port Townsend 2015-2040 using OFM forecast.
Population
Projections
2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 Average
annual growth
Port
Townsend
9,578 10,066 10,580 11,120 11,687 12,283 1.01%
2.3.2. Community Health and Well-being
Recreational programs and convenient access to safe and attractive parks and open space
areas promote physical activity. Research evidence (http://www.tpchd.org/page.php?id=2597)
affirms that making changes to built environments can ultimately improve the health of the
community. Open space and park areas, wildlife and trees, solitary and sociable activities play
an integral role in living a healthy life-style.
When the 1999 Parks, Recreation & Open Space Functional Plan was written, the notion of
'screen time' described hours spent in front of the family television set. Today, all age groups find
their hours monopolized by screens of all sizes, from iPods and smartphones to e-readers and
computers at school, work and home; streaming 24/7 content that disconnects us all from the
reality outside our doors. As a culture, we have become ever more sedentary and distracted.
One well-documented consequence of increased screen time is the health impact of decreased
physical exercise.
• Approximately 32% of Jefferson County adults don't get enough exercise
• Nearly 60% of our 10th graders don't get enough exercise
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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Section 2. Community Profile.
While Jefferson County is the second lowest county in the state for age-adjusted prevalence for
obesity, there still is a 20-25% rate of obesity in the county (Figure 2.1; WA DOH 345-291) and
adult obesity is increasing at just under 1% per year in the state. Obesity comes with higher risk
factors for high blood pressure,
heart disease, stroke, diabetes and
asthma. Although our county adult
obesity rate is below the state
average, our adult high blood
pressure and high cholesterol rates
are significantly above the state
averages (WA DOH 345-271).
Recent studies have shown a
positive association between access
to parks and physical activity levels
(Blanck et al. 2012 and references
therein). The percentage of youth
with parks or playground areas,
community centers, and sidewalks
or walking paths and the percentage of
census blocks with a park within a half-
mile boundary are two measures of
access to places for physical activity
reported by the Centers for Disease
Control (ibid.). The Trust For Public Land evaluates cities with their 'ParkScore' - a measure for
which a full one-third of the rating is determined by the percentage of citizens who have park
access within a half-mile walk (http://parkscore.tpl.org/methodology.php).
A second consequence of the distractions inherent in our electronic age, less visible but perhaps
more pervasive, is the loss of connection with the outdoor world. Spending time in nature has
been linked to reduction in attentional fatigue and stress (Blanck et al. 2012).
An analysis of on-site interviews with 312 park users in Sheffield, UK concludes:
" …People choose to visit urban green space for many reasons, including both their own
personal motivators and ones related to the space itself; healthful physical activity is but
one of these motivators. Green space has the potential to provide several types of holistic
health benefits including relaxation, positive emotions about self and environment,
tranquility, revitalization, and satisfaction." (Irvine et al. 2013)
The cost of creating and preserving parks and open space proves to be quite small, when
compared to investments in medical care or construction and maintenance of roadways.
Figure 2.1. Obesity among adults in Washington,
1990-2009. Redrafted from DOH 345-291: Nutrition,
Physical Activity, & Obesity Prevention Program,
Washington State Department of Health.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 13
Section 3. Inventory, classification and management.
3. WHAT WE HAVE - INVENTORY
Overview
This section provides an overview of the City’s recreation programs, including relevant history,
and the city’s park and open space inventory. Also included is a brief overview of public
facilities owned and operated by others.
3.1. Port Townsend Recreation
3.1.1. Recreation History: 20th Century
There have been many attempts in Port Townsend's recent history to create and maintain active
recreation opportunities for youth, adults, and seniors. In 1973 a recreation department was
established by the Port Townsend School District in cooperation with the City of Port Townsend
and Jefferson County. In 1978, Jefferson County assumed leadership of the recreation program
and created a recreation division. An intergovernmental agreement existed between the City
and the County to operate the recreation program including the Mountain View Swimming Pool
until 1994, when the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners decided to discontinue
operation of the swimming pool and other recreation programs.
The City of Port Townsend opted to provide its own recreation program in 1995 to address
diverse community needs. In response to the number one priority in the 1991 City Park Plan
community survey, a dedicated effort provided opportunities for youth and included after-school
and summer enrichment camp programs. Recreation and pool operations were combined into a
single division of the Public Works Department under the direction of the Public Works Director.
Because of the previous involvement of other jurisdictions, recreational facilities in the City are
in large part owned by either Jefferson County or the Port Townsend School District.
Recreational programs were therefore offered in partnerships negotiated between the City and
the facility owners. Examples included:
• City management of the Mountain View Swimming Pool
• City management of the swimming program as an element of the elementary school
curriculum
• City provision of an after school program and use of school facilities for recreation
programs
The recreation and pool programs were supported through a collaborative effort by the Port
Townsend School District, community organizations, area businesses, grants, and fundraisers
as well as the City budget. Many businesses contributed to the effort. The recreation program
received the 1997 Association of Washington Cities Municipal Achievement Award.
3.1.2. Recreation History: 21st Century
Much has changed since the late 1990s due to fiscal realities associated with public funding and
shifting priorities. The City funded a professional evaluation of the Mountain View Pool in 2001
to determine what life cycle repairs were necessary and what upgrades were recommended for
continued use. In 2003, the City encumbered general obligation bonds (Ordinance 2844)
intended in part to upgrade and repair the pool but the inability to secure a long-term lease from
the School District made amortization of 20-year bonds untenable. The School District
considered briefly the idea of surplusing the property in 2008 and decided to consolidate
elementary students onto one campus at Grant Street in 2009, at which time the City began to
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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Section 3. Inventory, classification and management.
manage the whole Mountain View campus, but without a long-term lease that would be
necessary for grant or loan acquisition for major repairs or renovations.
Local pool proponents, organized as the private nonprofit group Make Waves in 2008,
expended time and personal resources to have the Mountain View Pool maintained for the long
term but eventually set their sights instead on fundraising to build a new aquatic center. The site
chosen for construction in Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park was demonstrated to be protected by
the 6(f) (3) servitudes of a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant received to create
the park in 1981. No such building could take place without formal US Department of the
Interior conversion and the procurement of replacement land of comparable accessibility,
habitat and recreational value. The Make Waves group was unable to secure a viable site and
their efforts generally terminated in 2012. No privately funded alternative has arisen. The City
and County collaborated so that the City could fund nearly $200,000 in critically needed pool
repairs and improvements in early 2013.
3.1.3. Recreation: Current Operations
The City continues to serve a dual role as primary provider of recreation services (e.g.,
Mountain View Pool) as well as coordinator of facility use and activity schedules in cooperation
with other agencies and organizations. Through these combined efforts, a range of programs
are offered encouraging life-long development of skills and interests for all age groups. The
future of recreation programs is, however, threatened by diminishing resources as discussed
further in Section 5.
The Port Townsend Community Recreation Program is now managed through a partnership
with the Jefferson County Family YMCA, with programs offered primarily at Mountain View
Commons. YMCA offers a variety of programs including:
After school care, day camps, enrichment classes, and mentorship programs - The
benefits of the YMCA youth programs are immediate and concrete as well as long term
and subtle. Over time we may be able to measure improved test scores and examine
youth crime statistics to reinforce the positive role these services provide.
Exercise programs - Including yoga and a post cancer treatment wellness program.
These programs recognize the needs of an aging demographic.
Mountain View Swimming Pool: The City continues to staff, support and maintain the only
public pool in Jefferson County on its own with only rare exceptions. The pool continues to be
used extensively by schools for elementary school swimming lessons and middle and high
school competitive swim teams and synchronous swim groups, city and masters swim teams
and medically prescribed aqua therapy. It also provides water babies classes, public lessons,
several varieties of aquatic fitness classes, lap swimming and open recreational swimming. The
Jefferson County Family YMCA provides four types of aquatic classes twice a week at this time.
In a community surrounded on three sides by water, water safety classes are essential.
The City manages the entirety of the Mountain View Commons. At this writing, the City and
School District are again in negotiations about Mountain View Pool, but this time the negotiation
includes the future of the whole campus and all the non-profit partners in residence at the
location. The City and School District are negotiating a 30-year lease with a 15-year extension.
Such terms would allow sufficient ownership interest that the City would qualify for grants and
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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Section 3. Inventory, classification and management.
loans to fund pool and campus repairs that have not been possible under the short-term leases
of previous efforts.
Port Townsend Golf Course: The City’s 9-hole, 55.87-acre golf course has been leased by the
City to a private operator since 1987. The existing lease was transferred to a new vendor in
2013 by Council Resolution 13-033. The facility includes a driving range and clubhouse that
houses the pro shop, restaurant facilities and public conference room. Because the golf course
represents a large acreage that serves a specific population for a fee under a lease agreement,
it is a unique recreational facility. It is not listed as a park nor included in the level of service
calculations of Section 5. More information about the golf course and associated features is
included in Appendix A.
3.2. Port Townsend Parks
3.2.1. Defining City Parks
Port Townsend's first Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Plan was written in 1975 and
updates occurred in 1980, 1986, 1991, 1996 (in concert with the Comprehensive Plan) and
1999. Although National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) standards provide a matrix
for identification of parks and recreational assets, no community's resources fit neatly into any
such rigid classification. Port Townsend fits perhaps even less well than most communities, as it
is in the unique situation of having the 433.6 acres of Fort Worden State Park within the City
limits. The City also hosts Jefferson County's physical footprint of the Port Townsend
Community/Recreation Center and the only lighted stadium in the County, Memorial Field. As
well, Port of Port Townsend facilities along the waterfront and the current Little League fields at
the Jefferson County Fairgrounds are within the City footprint. As mentioned above, none of
these facilities are owned by the City. Although the City contains a wealth of open space and
recreational facilities, it does not maintain or control these assets. It is not cost effective or good
management of limited resources to provide redundancy for these existing assets but it is
prudent to consider their future and plan for the possibility of loss and prioritize the necessity of
replacement for those assets deemed critical.
City parks can range from street end retreats to extensive open spaces that serve much larger
areas (Figure 3.1. Park Facilities). Recent applications of NRPA and other established
standards are less likely to base park designation on size and more logically on park function.
The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office includes a level of service (LOS)
exercise in its most recent iteration of park grant planning documents (Manual 2, Planning
Policies and Guidelines, January 2011) that recommends using a community's own guidelines
for acreage LOS (in Port Townsend's case, 7.6 acres/1,000 population from the 1996
Comprehensive Plan). Additionally, RCO evaluates recreational assets by relative support for
active recreation, by population distance from parks and trails within neighborhoods,
communities and regions, and by accessibility with various modes of transport, most particularly
nonmotorized transport and public modes of transport.
This Parks Plan establishes an inventory of parks based on three types of park facilities
currently existing in the City of Port Townsend. These park types were used in the 1999
Functional Plan; specifically, they are urban pocket parks, neighborhood parks and community
parks (Table 3.1). The definitions are based broadly on the type of amenity, size and function in
the landscape that is provided and have been tailored to meet the needs of this community.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 16
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Section 3. Inventory, classification and management.
The level of service (LOS) analysis in
Chapter 5 factors in these conventional park
types and refines the analysis by identifying
three key level of service indicators (i.e.
function, accessibility, and service area).
Table 3.2 provides an overview of the
amenities provided by the City’s park system.
(Note that, because the golf course serves a
specific population for a fee, it is not included
in the LOS analysis in Section 5). All City
parks and other City assets are described in
greater detail in Appendix A. Descriptions of
open space and the regional partners’ assets
are provided in Appendix B.
3.2.2. Urban Pocket Parks
‘Urban', pocket or mini parks are designed to
provide visual relief and physical respite from
the indoor urban environment. Pocket parks
are defined as facilities that provide an open
area where people can rest, watch and eat in
pleasant surroundings with a few simple
amenities. These areas typically offer some
landscaping or vegetated natural areas, trash
cans, benches with access to beaches,
views or vistas where possible. Target users
are a wide variety of visitors, employees,
customers, and youth. These parks are
primarily located in the downtown/uptown
urban core and in outlying commercial and
industrial areas (Figure 3.1).
Ten parks totaling 3.39 acres currently exist
in this category (Table 3.1). Several are
maintained by volunteer groups (e.g., Rotary
Park by Rotarians, Triangle Mini Park
I/Dahlia Park by Master Gardeners and
Triangle Mini Park 2/Gateway by
Soroptomists; Haller/Terrace by Friends of
Steve Corra).
Table 3.1. Port Townsend Park Inventory1.
Urban Pocket Parks
region
size,
acres
Adams E 0.08
Bell Tower E 0.07
City Entrance SW 0.59
Haller/Terrace E 0.37
Pope Marine /Jackson E 1.33
Rotary E 0.34
T1/Dahlia2. SW 0.13
T2/Gateway E 0.21
T3/Intersection SW 0.19
Tyler Street Stairs E 0.08
Total 3.39
Neighborhood Parks
13th/Hancock SW 1.00
35th Street NW 13.96
Baker View SW 0.22
Bishop/Parkside SW 4.20
Bobby McGarraugh E 2.03
Dog Park3. E 0.60
Elmira NW 0.54
Golden Age E 0.21
Sather E 6.72
Total 23.17
Community Parks
Chetzemoka E 6.53
Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park SW 75.86
Larry Scott SW 7.07
Skateboard Park E 0.33
Total4. 90.79
1.At the time of the preparation of this plan, a long term lease for Mountain View has not been perfected. As such, it is
excluded from the City's inventory and level of service at this time. If included, it would add 7.63 acres to the City inventory.
2. T1, 2 and 3 indicate reference to Triangle Parks 1, 2 and 3 in prior functional plans. Park names 'Dahlia' and 'Gateway'
are from City records.
3. The Dog Park has been included in Neighborhood Park rather than Community Park as its relatively small size tends to
limit its service area.
4. Because the golf course serves a specific population for a fee under a lease agreement, it represents a unique
recreational facility. It is not listed as a park nor included in the level of service calculations of Section 5.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 18
Table 3.2. Port Townsend Park Type and Function1.
1. Because the golf course serves a specific population for a fee under a lease agreement, it represents a unique recreational
facility. It is not listed as a park nor included in the level of service calculations of Section 5.
PA
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Adams Street M 0.08 PT Y OS
Bell Tower H 0.07 B A H 5
City Entrance M 0.59 1,000 A
Haller /Terrace H 0.37 B 6,315 A OS
Pope/Jackson H 1.33 ADA Y PT, B 7,125 A Y S 8
Rotary M 0.34 PT 300 A Y OS
T1/Dahlia H 0.13 OS
T2/Gateway M 0.21 B M OS
T3/Intersection L 0.19
Tyler St. Stairs L 0.08 B OS
Neighborhood Parks [23.17 acres total]
13th & Hancock L 1.00
35th Street L 13.96
Baker View L 0.22 PT,B
Bishop/Parkside L 4.20 Y* PT,B* A* S* OS
Bobby McGarraugh H 2.03 ADA Y PT 13,400 M 15
Dog Park M 0.60
Elmira Street L 0.54 2
Golden Age L 0.21 6,534 H
Sather M 6.72 PT, B 21,780 OS
Community Parks [90.79 acres total]
Chetzemoka H 6.53 ADA Y PT 3 acre A Y K 25
Kah Tai Lagoon L 75.86 P PT, B 1 acre A S 20
Larry Scott L 7.07 ADA Y 9
Skateboard Park M 0.33 P P
Maintenance: H,M,L=high, medium, low maintenance intensity
Restrooms: P=portable; ADA=handicapped-accessible
Picnic Facilities: PT=picnic table; B=bench
Mowed area: in square feet unless noted
Irrigation: A=automatic; M=manual
Other amenities: K=kitchen; H=historic building; S=shelter
Parking: OS=on street; P=shared public lot
*= in progress, 2014
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 19
Section 3. Inventory, classification and management.
3.2.3. Neighborhood Parks
Neighborhood parks serve the needs of an immediate residential neighborhood. As per the
1999 functional plan, they are generally considered to include parks an acre or more in size,
with some exceptions. This is relatively small when compared with criteria in other cities within
the region. However, it reflects an adequate standard for Port Townsend that is consistent with
the high satisfaction level regarding neighborhood parks in the 1996 and 2010 surveys.
Neighborhood parks may be developed with highly landscaped areas and amenities (e.g.,
restrooms, picnic tables, play equipment/fields); maintained in near natural state with primitive
public trails as the primary amenity; or a combination of the two.
Nine neighborhood parks totaling 23.17 acres currently exist. Bobby McGarraugh Park (formerly
Cherry Street) is one example of a conventional neighborhood park providing family-oriented
amenities including picnic tables and playground equipment. Others, including Elmira and 35th
Street Parks currently provide only primitive trails but may be further developed as the
neighborhoods around them are built out. Hancock and 13th is undeveloped. Parkside Park is
currently under development as a landscaped extension of Bishop Park into the surrounding
neighborhood. Its acreage has been included in the Bishop Park acreage and inventory.
Neighborhood parks that have been adopted by volunteers include Sather Park, Baker View
Park and Parkside at Bishop.
3.2.4. Community Parks
Community parks tend to be larger than neighborhood parks and draw residents from a wider
distance than do neighborhood parks. Their features are generally unique for the area (e.g.,
Kah Tai Lagoon) or they provide a unique function (e.g. skatepark). Again, they can be highly
developed, near-natural or some combination, depending on their function and purpose. There
are four community parks totaling 90.79 acres (Table 3.1). Community parks that have been
adopted by volunteers include Chetzemoka Park (butterfly garden), Kah Tai Lagoon Nature
Park (Admiralty Audubon and Friends of Kah Tai) and the Skate Park (user group),
3.3. Open Space
Undeveloped space in Port Townsend including parks, cemeteries, sports fields, farms, forests,
undeveloped lots, add to the sense of small town character valued by the community. The
community highly values wildlife, wildlife habitat, and open space and considers parks as a
major source of these amenities (as indicated in the 2010 Community Survey, see Appendix C).
Figure 3.3 summarizes the primary functions and values of open space as described in Goal 3
of the 1996 Comprehensive Plan (Section 4 of this plan). Although the community values all of
these assets, most are not controlled by the City.
Based on the Community Direction Statement, the City Land Use Map includes a “Potential
Park and Open Space (overlay)” (P/OS(A). This overlay includes areas that may have the
potential to be included within a comprehensive and interconnected system of open spaces and
trails. Much of the land within the overlay is environmentally sensitive such as frequently
flooded areas, wetlands, or drainage corridors. Areas of “potential open space” as designated in
the Comprehensive Plan, reflect an initial evaluation done through the comprehensive planning
process to identify areas that may be valuable for a variety of functions in their current state.
“Essential habitat”, “significant open spaces” and “significant cultural resources” are referred to
in the Comprehensive Plan goals but have yet to be applied to specific areas.
The Comprehensive Plan identifies three primary approaches for consideration in developing
this network: outright purchase of key properties; incentives for landowners to cluster new
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 20
49
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Table 3.3. Additional Park Facilities Owned by Other Public Entities
Park/ Facility Description1
Jefferson County
Jefferson
County
Fairgrounds
public use buildings, campground, Little League ball fields;
administered by the Fair Board Association; 32 acres area
North Beach
County Park
waterfront, adjoining Fort Worden State Park. Includes
mowed grass, restrooms, picnic shelter, water, and parking.
Popular for beachcombers, birders and hikers; 1.0 acre area
Memorial Field only lighted playfield in county; bleachers, restrooms,
historic; 4.9 acres
Port Townsend
Community
Center
former public school now used for senior center, meetings,
rec center, indoor basketball court, playground, landscaped
grounds; 1.0 acre total area
Courthouse
Park
Informal playfield, new basketball court, one tennis court; 1.0
acre area
Washington State
Fort Worden
State Park
90 acre-campus managed by PDA; beach access, trails, gun
batteries; prime birding location; tennis court, campground,
picnic shelter, natural history museum and marine science
center, total park area 433.6 acres
Rothschild
House
National Register; managed by Jefferson County Historical
Society
Port Townsend School District
Port Townsend
High School
regulation size gym, track, sport fields, tennis courts
Blue Heron
Middle School
full-size gym, track, sport fields, public meeting space
Grant Street
Elementary
School
playground, informal playfield, play equipment, small
gymnasium; auditorium used for public events
Mountain View
Commons
only public swimming pool in county; police department, food
bank, Red Cross, YMCA, gymnasium, playground, play
equipment, playfields Currently managed by the City of Port
Townsend; Lease expires in 2014, City and School District
are negotiating a 30-year lease with a 15-year extension .
Port of Port Townsend
Point Hudson historic buildings; shoreline trail, picnic tables, RV camping,
moorage and small boat launch
City Dock floating dock used by visitors and citizens for temporary
moorage
Union Wharf floating dock accomodates large vessels for commercial and
transient boaters
1 See Appendix B for greater detail.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 22
Section 3. Inventory, classification and management.
development in areas outside,
or on the margins, of open
space areas; and reductions in
allowable density. Clustering
new development is
encouraged through the City’s
Planned Unit Development
(PUD) ordinance (Ordinance
2571). The City and Jefferson
Land Trust have successfully
partnered to purchase key
properties in the Quimper
Wildlife Corridor. The inventory
shown in Figure 3.2 is
described in more detail in
Appendix A.
The City Comprehensive Plan
overall goals and policies
related to open space are in
Section 4. An important
component of the
Comprehensive Plan is the role
that open space plays in providing buffers,
preserving view corridors, providing links
between neighborhoods, providing wildlife corridors, and generally serving multi-purpose
functions such as stormwater treatment and conveyance. All these factors contribute to the
health, safety and welfare as well as quality of life that Port Townsend residents presently enjoy
(Figure 3.3.).
3.4. Additional Facilities
As noted throughout this Parks Plan, no one entity is expected to meet the needs of the entire
community. In a time of diminishing resources, multi-agency coordination will be crucial in order
to meet the community’s growing needs. There are several facilities owned and maintained by
other public entities that provide important and diverse recreational services to the community.
They are summarized in Table 3.3 and Figure 3.4 because of the unique management and
ownership considerations they entail. These additional public facilities are an essential
consideration in assessing the community’s need for parks and recreation.
Recently, State parks shifted management of the main developed campus of Fort Worden State
Park to a Public Development Authority (PDA). However, this will not alter the natural and
recreational facilities located in the Park. Jefferson County has struggled to maintain facilities
within the City limits. Through a cooperative agreement with the Port Townsend School District,
the City’s recreation programs are able to use the school’s athletic fields and gymnasiums. The
City should continue dialog with these agencies regarding change of ownership and
management responsibilities to ensure current level of access to park facilities is maintained.
OPEN SPACE
PASSIVERECREATION
STORMWATER
CULTURAL
RESOURCES
BUFFERS
HABITAT
FUNCTIONS
VALUES
economic social aesthetic
economic
educational
wildlife:
flora
fauna
aesthetic
views
wildlife
flora, fauna
minimizes noise,visual impacts
economic
protects air qualitywater quality
scientific
aesthetic
corridors trails
wildlife
agricultural
sacred
water-oriented
architectural
economic
protection of property, natural drainage systems
trail corridors
flora fauna
economic
aesthetics
Figure 3.3. Open space values and functions.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 23
49
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Section 3. Inventory, classification and management.
3.5. Management and Collaborations
3.5.1. Parks and Recreation Management Structure
Figure 3.5 describes the City’s administrative organization for decisions and responsibilities
related to parks, recreation, and open space. Coordination and planning for parks, trails, and
open space is provided between the Public Services and Public Works Departments through the
development review process
and through implementation
of this and other functional
plans.
The Parks, Recreation and
Trees Advisory Board is
nominated by the Mayor and
subject to approval by
Council. The seven Board
members serve three-year
terms and operate under rules
of order. The Advisory Board
guides policy of the City and
provides management and
development
recommendations to the
Public Services Director and
the Parks and Recreation Division
(Fig. 3.5).
3.5.2. Volunteers and Adopt A Park
A recurring theme in citizen surveys and public comments about parks is that there is a strong
interest in volunteering. However, inadequate information regarding volunteer opportunities
presents a challenge. Port Townsend has had in place since 2001 an Adopt A Park program
and volunteerism is encouraged. Adopt A Park and Volunteer forms are available online as pdfs
but are not interactive. The capacity for volunteers to log their own hours electronically would
provide a major improvement in volunteer programs and the Advisory Board is actively pursuing
options to accomplish electronic volunteer access and management.
3.5.3 Non-Motorized Transportation Advisory Board
The 1996 Comprehensive Plan recommended that the City develop a transportation plan to
identify a network of pedestrian walkways and bikeways to connect neighborhoods with parks,
schools, commercial areas and other destinations, with enhancement of recreational
opportunities a secondary benefit accruing from the plan's development (Non-Motorized
Transportation Plan, 2011). The plan, completed in 1998 and adopted by City Council, 'provided
the impetus to build a system of non-motorized transportation facilities that serve residents' and
visitors' needs both for transportation and recreation.' The NMT Plan was updated and
supplemented in 2011 to account for new and emerging issues and new information about
existing concerns. The NMTAB maintains an active volunteer effort for trail building and Port
Townsend now has 31 miles of trails and paths that connect many of the City’s parks (Figure
3.6). The trails system makes it problematic whether to describe Port Townsend as a city of
parks connecting trails, or a city of trails connecting parks. A lack of funding leaves some
important connectors undeveloped at this time.
Figure 3.5. Management structure of Parks and
Recreation Division.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 25
49
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Section 3. Inventory, classification and management.
3.5.4. Combining Parks, Recreation and Trees
In 2001, Port Townsend City Council replaced the Parks and Recreation Commission with a
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (Resolution 01-015). In 2003, the Port Townsend
Municipal Code was amended to establish a landmark tree program with a Tree Ordinance
(2837) and established a Tree Committee in accordance with attaining Tree City USA status. In
2009 (Resolution 09-029), Council elected to combine the responsibilities of the Parks and
Recreation Advisory Board and the Tree Committee into one board which advises the Public
Services Director (Figure 3.5) about street and park trees and urban forestry in addition to parks
and recreation issues and concerns. Tree City USA, a DNR Arbor Day program, recommends
that a certified arborist be a member of the advisory board. In 2013, the Parks, Recreation and
Tree Advisory Board initiated an Arbor Day Tree walk with development of a brochure
highlighting four walking tours within city limits to include significant trees in Port Townsend.
The community direction statement adopted in the 1996 Comprehensive Plan repeatedly
mentions the City’s trees and tree-lined streets. The volunteer effort that funded the extensive
street tree plantings lasted almost twenty years. As those trees reach maturity, it has become
the responsibility of the Parks and Street Departments to manage the care and maintenance of
these assets for the community.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 27
4. Goals and Policies
SECTION 4. WHERE WE WANT TO GO: GOALS AND POLICIES
The Land Use Element of the Port Townsend Comprehensive Plan declares that future patterns
of land use in Port Townsend "will be influenced significantly by the City's development history.
The land use element builds upon the City's history while looking to its future. It acknowledges
that Port Townsend's 'special places' include its historical structures and natural features, and
that there is community support to protect these resources from incompatible development."
The Land Use Element also provides "for a comprehensive and interconnected system of parks,
open spaces and trails."
Goals are aims or objectives, the desired outcome of an effort or design, while policies are the
course or principles of action proposed to achieve goals. The following Goals and Policies are
those Port Townsend Comprehensive Plan Goals and Policies in the Land Use Element which
are most relevant to this Parks Plan.
Comprehensive Plan - Land Use Element
Open Spaces & Trails
Goal 3: To develop a comprehensive open space and trails plan and implementation program
which protects the natural environment and significant cultural resources, provides passive
recreation opportunities, is integrated with the nonmotorized component of the Transportation
Element, and is designed to link neighborhoods with parks, significant open spaces, schools,
shoreline access areas, mixed use centers and employment centers.
Policy 3.1: Acquire and develop public open space and trails within the financial capabilities and
level of service standards of the Capital Facilities Element.
Policy 3.2: Develop and implement nonregulatory and regulatory means for acquiring and
developing the open space and trails network.
3.2.1 During development review, encourage applicants to dedicate land for future open
space and trails.
3.2.2 Amend the zoning and subdivision codes to provide incentives for open space
including, but not limited to clustered developments and planned unit developments
(PUDs).
3.2.3 Acquire land for open spaces and trails through municipal or state programs, such
as stormwater management and wildlife/wetland protection.
3.2.4 Apply for grants from public agencies and private foundations to acquire land for
open spaces and trails.
3.2.5 Work with nonprofit groups, such as the Jefferson Land Trust, to obtain
conservation easements and create incentives for open space and trails system
development.
3.2.6 Use property tax deferral programs to promote the retention of valuable open
space land in an undeveloped state (i.e., the Open Space Taxation Act, Chapter 84.34
RCW).
3.2.7 Explore other techniques for acquisition and development of the open space and
trails network (e.g., Inter-Agency Commission on Outdoor Recreation (IAC) funding:
utility bill donations, a community or regional bond issue, etc.).
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 28
4. Goals and Policies
Policy 3.3: Locate trails in areas that are important to preserve as open spaces, such as
wooded areas, drainage corridors, shorelines, scenic vistas, and others. Locate trails along
drainage corridors when possible to do so without degrading the environmental functions and
values of the area.
Policy 3.4: Designate and retain wetlands, drainage corridors and other areas that provide
essential habitat for priority plant or wildlife species as passive open space. Sites which the City
should consider acquiring include, but are not limited to:
a. Winona Wetlands;
b. Howard Street Wetlands and Drainage Corridor;
c. 50th Street Wetlands and Drainage Corridor; and
d. Hastings/25th Street Wetlands and Drainage Corridor.
Policy 3.5: Where possible, accommodate multiple functions within the open space and trails
system, including: stormwater management; viewpoints; protection of cultural resources; wildlife
habitat; and passive recreation.
Policy 3.6: Coordinate with Jefferson County to identify and designate open space corridors and
trails within and between urban growth areas, as required under the GMA.
3.6.1 Integrate the open space and trails network with the proposed Olympic Discovery
Trail.
3.6.2 Support the establishment of a Quimper Peninsula wildlife and open space
corridor.
Policy 3.7: Identify existing unopened rights of way, utility corridors and drainage corridors for
use in developing the trails system. Design trails in a manner which allows the corridors to
function as urban wildlife corridors.
Policy 3.8: Preserve and enhance shoreline access areas consistent with the City's Shoreline
Master Program. [Ord. No. 2945, § 1.3, (April 16, 2007)].
Policy 3.9: Design the trails system to link neighborhoods with parks, significant open spaces,
schools, cultural resources, shoreline access areas, mixed use centers and employment
centers. Abutting or nearby larger scale developments should be encouraged to provide trail
connectors to the larger trails and open space network.
Policy 3.10: Design trails to be accessible to people with disabilities as much as the natural
characteristics (e.g., topography) of the region will allow.
Policy 3.11: Develop a coordinated sign program which provides a user friendly guide to the
location of trails.
Policy 3.12: Consider trail linkages in the development of new government facilities, including
new parks and open spaces.
Policy 3.13: Prohibit the use of off-road vehicles on public trails designated in the
Comprehensive Open Space and Trails Plan.
Policy 3.14: Develop and adopt standards regarding trail uses that minimize conflicts between
different types of trail users (e.g., pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians).
Policy 3.15: Provide adequate funding for open space and trails network operation and
maintenance.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 29
4. Goals and Policies
Parks & Recreation
Goal 4: To develop park and recreation facilities, programs and opportunities which are
responsive to the needs and interests of Port Townsend residents.
Policy 4.1: Develop a parks and recreation plan and implementation strategy which addresses
the community's needs for active and passive recreation opportunities.
4.1.1 Provide recreation programs that are comprehensive, enriching, and affordable for
all citizens.
4.1.2 Provide a wide range of athletic facilities such as: tennis courts; baseball and
softball fields; gymnasiums; swimming pools; multi-purpose fields for soccer and general
outdoor play; volleyball courts; and a golf course.
4.1.3 Provide a wide range of passive recreation opportunities within the parks system
(e.g., nature walks, picnic areas, bird-watching, observation areas).
Policy 4.2: Acquire and develop public park and recreational lands to serve the future population
of the City.
Policy 4.3: Pursue a variety of options for park and recreation facility acquisition and
development.
4.3.1 During development review, encourage developers to dedicate land for future park
and recreation facilities.
4.3.2 Apply for grants from public agencies and private foundations to acquire land and
develop the City's park and recreation facilities.
4.3.3 When revising the Port Townsend Municipal Code (PTMC) to implement this Plan,
provide incentives that encourage developers to provide neighborhood parks which
serve the residents of new developments (e.g., density bonuses, mitigation land
banking, creative right-of-way use).
4.3.4 When revising the PTMC to implement this Plan, provide incentives that encourage
developers in commercial districts to provide pocket parks, plazas, courtyards, arcades,
atriums, pedestrian corridors, and through block corridors.
Policy 4.4: Locate, design, construct and manage park and recreation facilities to be compatible
with natural features (e.g., soils, geology, topography, and shoreline resources) and cultural
resources.
4.4.1 Preserve natural features which are conducive to park and recreation functions.
4.4.2 Incorporate habitat considerations in the design and development of new park and
recreation facilities.
4.4.3 Encourage the use of native plants which attract wildlife.
4.4.4 Incorporate significant cultural resources in the design and development of new
park and recreation facilities, and provide interpretive opportunities where appropriate.
Policy 4.5: Design and manage park and recreation facilities to maximize environmental
protection and provide interpretive opportunities for ecological systems and features, and
cultural resources.
Policy 4.6: Design park and recreation facilities to accommodate a citizenry diverse in age,
interests, income levels and abilities.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 30
4. Goals and Policies
Policy 4.7: Where adverse impacts could occur, screen and buffer park and recreation facilities
to protect adjacent or nearby private properties.
Policy 4.8: Consider acquiring inholdings and adjacent parcels that would increase the long-
term integrity and viability of the City's park and recreational lands.
Policy 4.9: Broaden the use of school buildings and grounds as places for public use after
school and on evenings.
4.9.1 Increase cooperative management with the Port Townsend School District through
joint use agreements.
4.9.2 Joint use agreements should seek to renovate, schedule, and manage facilities for
greater public use and enjoyment.
Policy 4.10: Support, encourage, and provide technical assistance to neighborhood associations
seeking to acquire or develop property for neighborhood parks, recreation, and open space.
Policy 4.11: Work with Jefferson County to identify future park and recreational facility needs
within Port Townsend and facilities within Jefferson County which will serve Port Townsend
residents.
Policy 4.12: Assure that maintenance and operation costs are considered in the development of
City park and recreation facilities. Ensure that City park and recreation facilities incorporate
design and construction features that minimize long-term operation and maintenance costs
(e.g., design park restrooms to include energy efficient light fixtures and skylights).
Policy 4.13: Set City-wide standards for park and recreational facility maintenance, and the unit
costs to achieve those standards. [Ord. No. 2825, § 3.3, (January 6, 2003)].
Administration & Operations
Goal 5: Provide the support and leadership to respond effectively to the community’s evolving
priorities and needs. Respond and be accessible to the community by creating new policies,
procedures and technologies to meet the diverse current and future needs.
Policy 5.1: Deliver measurable economic benefit to the community by providing or supporting
programs, special events and facilities.
Policy 5.2: Incorporate sustainable standards and best management practices into planning and
design of new parks and rehabilitation of existing facilities.
Policy 5.3: Keep clean and well-maintained parks and facilities, retaining a high level of
appearance of landscaped sites.
Policy 5.4: Identify, preserve and interpret Port Townsend’s heritage, traditions, historic,
environmental and cultural features.
Policy 5.5: Master Plan major parks and facilities through a public input process to modernize
and update sites.
Policy 5.6: Develop staff growth through educational classes, certification and training. [Ord. No.
3075, § 3.5, (June 18, 2012)].
Budget & Funding
Goal 6: Strive to adequately fund ongoing parks and recreation programming and maintenance
through proactive well-planned budgeting practices, the pursuit of partnerships and the securing
of grants.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 31
4. Goals and Policies
Policy 6.1: Prepare and anticipate for future staffing needs that may arise due to budget and
other financial circumstances.
Policy 6.2: Establish an ongoing six-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for parks and
recreation facilities.
Policy 6.3: Pursue local, regional, State and Federal grant sources for park maintenance and
development.
Policy 6.4: Develop new and additional partnership/volunteer stewardship programs utilizing
local service clubs and organizations.
Policy 6.5: Investigate establishing a set of impact and/or mitigation fees that fairly contribute to
the construction and upgrading of parks. [Ord. No. 3075, § 3.5, (June 18, 2012)].
Conclusion
Overall, the goals and policies from the Comprehensive Plan are well developed and provide
adequate guidance for parks and recreation planning.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 32
5. Needs Analysis
5. WHAT WE NEED: DEMAND AND NEED ANALYSIS
5.1. Order of Analysis
Assessing the community’s needs and demands involves one of the most important elements of
the planning process. Evaluation requires a variety of methods and must take into account a
number of factors. This section assesses need in the following order:
1) Future demand for park and recreation facilities is based on comparing projected
populations with the city’s adopted level of service standard (LOS) of 7.6 acres/1000
population.
2) The adopted LOS standard is recognized as a minimum standard. Greater accuracy is
achieved through the development of standards based on local goals and priorities,
specifically residential and commercial standards which consider function, equitable
distribution and access of parks.
3) Need is related directly to the demographic and use characteristics of the city’s
population.
4) Community goals and priorities are reviewed as expressed through surveys, meetings,
and adopted plans. Ultimately, “the level of customer satisfaction” (Krohe, 1990) is the
true measure of a good standard.
5) Consider the impacts of tourism, which places an increasing seasonal demand on the
City’s facilities.
6) Finally, parks staff and resources must be factored into the mix.
In developing this Needs Assessment, it is crucial to recognize that:
• No one agency is expected to supply everything for everyone; this is where
partnerships and cooperation must come into play. The City’s service area
reaches into unincorporated Jefferson County. Also, a number of Jefferson
County and State facilities are located within the city limits. These agency
overlaps are not always known to the citizens, nor are citizens typically aware of
who is supplying specific recreation programs, facilities or parks for the
community. The citizens are keenly aware though when there is a deficiency in a
system.
• Ultimately, needs are affected by a variety of issues and priorities, based on
population forecasts and characteristics, available land, obtainable grants, future
funding and city policies. In an era of diminishing resources, needs and demands
must be balanced with available resources.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 33
5. Needs Analysis
5.2. Development of Local Standards - What Constitutes 'Need'?
Under the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA), communities are responsible for
providing public facilities without decreasing levels of service (LOS) below locally established
minima (RCW 36.70A.020(12)). Measuring the adequacy of Port Townsend’s parks, recreation,
open spaces and trails requires an established set of standards. LOS standards are measures
of the amount of a public facility which must be provided to meet the community’s basic needs.
The GMA allows flexibility in establishing the level of service standards to meet local needs and
expectations.
This Parks Plan assesses park demand based on three level of service standards: acres per
1000 capita, function, and accessibility.
5.2.1. Acres per Capita
Over the past 30 years, the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) has developed
guidelines and standards for parks, recreation and open space. In 1983, NRPA published the
Recreation, Park, and Open Space Standards and Guidelines which recommended “that a park
system, at minimum, be composed of a core system of parklands, with a total of 6.25 to 10.5
acres of developed open space per 1000 population.” Since that time, various publications
have updated and expanded upon possible “standards,” several of which have also been
published by NRPA. Rather than a one-size-fits-all acres/population standard, the NRPA now
recommends that each community develop its own standards based on local goals, priorities,
and conditions.
LOS standards expressed as park acres/1000 population are, nevertheless, used throughout
the United States, and Port Townsend’s 1996 Comprehensive Plan level of service standard
was developed with these standards. This ratio standard reflects the fact that demand is directly
linked to the number of users. The LOS standards established in the 1996 Comprehensive Plan
have been standard practice for decades and remain an appropriate starting point for assessing
community need.
Per the City’s Comprehensive Plan, the adopted LOS for park facilities is 7.6 acres/1,000 capita.
This ratio reflects the LOS based on the 1993 population of 7,755 and ownership of 59 acres of
park land. The vast majority of City park acreage is open for public use, with only a single
property undeveloped (13th and Hancock). Population increases projected through the years
2015-2035 were used to assess the surplus and deficiencies of park land based on the adopted
LOS (Table 5.1).
The LOS for park land focused on City-owned park land only. It is important to repeat that there
are several other parks within the city limits that are owned by the state and county (see
Appendix B and Table 3.3). This abundance of acreage owned by other public entities should
be considered when determining the future of the City park system; however, none of this
acreage has been included in the tables and projections because the City does not have any
control over the management of this land in terms of types of facilities available and access to
them, nor does the City have capital expenditures for State and County parkland and recreation
facilities. It should be considered, however, when outlining the City's Capital Facilities
projections for parks, that these facilities are at the present time, and for the foreseeable future,
available to City residents.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 34
5. Needs Analysis
Table 5.1. Need Analysis - Conventional LOS as Acres per 1,000 People
Year City of Port
Townsend
Population
Acres
needed @
7.6 per 1000
people
Acres
Available/
Projected
Existing
LOS
Net Reserve
[deficiency]
in Acres
1993 7,755 59 59 7.6/1000 0
2010 9,113 69.3 Total 74.6 8.2/1000 5.3
2015
9,578 72.8 Total 117.35
[Tot-water* 72.61]
12.3/1000
[7.5/1000]
44.6
[-0.2]
2025
10,580 80.4 Total 117.35
[Tot-water* 72.61]
11.6/1000
[7.3/1000]
37.0
[-7.8]
2035 11,687 88.8 Total 117.35
[Tot-water* 72.61]
10.5/1000
[6.6/1000]
28.5
[-16.2]
* Tot-water is total park acreage excluding lagoon water acreage.
Table 5.1 reports historical acreage data for 1993 from the 1999 Functional Plan, which
excludes the golf course. Since all acreage in Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park was transferred to
the City in 2013, the total shown for 2015 is inclusive of all acreage. However, since 44.74 acres
of KTLNP are lagoon and wetlands, totals in brackets show acreage excluding water for
comparison. Although it is the integrity of the entire nature park that provides the functioning
habitat and experiential benefit, it is relevant to note that water-inclusive acreage totals may
over-represent access and distribution of parks throughout Port Townsend. The Table indicates
that by historical NRPA standards and the City's own Comprehensive Plan LOS estimates, a
deficit begins to show as early as 2015. In order to maintain the current level of service of 7.6
acres/1000 population, development of a 1.0 acre parcel in inventory and acquisition of a 5-acre
neighborhood park is anticipated by 2025.
5.2.2. Local Service Standards - Park Function and Accessibility
While the gross acreage level of service is a reasonable overall standard, the type of park and
ease of access holds much more significance than the total park acreage. A quality park
system should contain a good balance of property types and should be located geographically
throughout the city. Resources must be allocated equitably throughout the community while
reflecting changes in the level of demand for parks and recreation resources.
Three types of developed City park facilities currently exist in the City of Port Townsend,
community parks, neighborhood parks, and urban pocket parks (Section 3, Inventory). The
definitions are based broadly on type of amenity, size, and function in the landscape that
existing facilities provide in Port Townsend and on the 1995 NRPA Guidelines. The city’s
existing park system provides a variety of parks as summarized in Table 5.2 and detailed further
in Section 3, Inventory and Appendix A.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 35
5. Needs Analysis
Table 5.2 Park Type and Function
Type Number/Acres Function
Urban Pocket Parks:
Ten parks totaling 3.39
acres
Provides open area where people
can rest, watch and eat in pleasant
surroundings with a few simple
amenities. These areas typically
offer some landscaping or
vegetated natural areas, trash
cans, benches with access to
beaches, views or vistas where
possible.
Neighborhood Parks Nine neighborhood parks
totaling 23.17 acres
Serve the needs of an immediate
residential neighborhood; may be
developed with highly landscaped
areas and amenities (e.g.,
restrooms, picnic tables, play
equipment/fields); maintained in
near natural state with primitive
public trails as the primary amenity;
or a combination of the two.
Community Parks1 Four community parks
totaling 90.79 acres
Provide a unique function (e.g.
skate park and dog park). Again,
they can be highly developed,
near-natural or some combination1
1 Because the golf course serves a specific population for a fee under a lease agreement, it represents a unique
recreational facility. It is not listed as a park nor included in the level of service calculations of Section 5.
A service radius is recommended in planning a logical distribution of parks and open space.
Park users will generally walk a limited distance to access a park. Based on NPRA's 1995
classification system and the city’s 1999 functional plan, this 2014 Parks Plan uses a service
radius of <1/4 mile for pocket-parks and <1/2 mile for neighborhood parks. Though streets
designated as “minor arterial” in the City of Port Townsend are not considered boundaries to
access, Sims Way, State Route 20, is recognized here by configuration and traffic load as a
boundary for pedestrian park access.
5.2.3. Residential Level of Service
Neighborhood park service areas as well as existing city, county and school facilities are
identified on Figure 5.1. As shown on the figure, two types of deficiencies have been defined in
Port Townsend.
1) No access - The areas of Port Townsend that are not within one half mile of an
existing neighborhood facility are indicated in gray or in orange if they are within a
school facility access area only. There is a need for an additional neighborhood
park on the northwest side of the city.
2) Access limited to school facilities - Each of the three schools are shown in dashed
circles on the Neighborhood Park Service Areas Map with a one half-mile radius
because these facilities provide specific opportunities for recreation to some
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 36
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5. Needs Analysis
neighborhoods not served by city parks. However public access to school facilities is
limited to non-school hours.
For both of these types of service deficiency, the City should develop criteria by ordinance that
could require dedication of some amount of usable open space as a condition of new
development. An alternative to dedication should be an allowance for new development to pay
fees in lieu of dedication to the City. The City would then either purchase land or provide
recreational amenities that service the particular development to the level of service standard
listed above, i.e., one half-mile radius of all residences.
Also shown in Figure 5.1 is the zoning designation. The zoning adopted in the Comprehensive
Plan dedicates large areas of the western portion of the City for multi-family residential clusters
and neighborhood commercial use. These areas zoned for multi-family development are only
partially served by existing or proposed neighborhood facilities.
Additional facilities are needed to serve planned development in the multi-family residential
zones. Recognizing the importance of on-site private open space in new residential complexes,
as a separate and additional requirement from the neighborhood park level of service as
recommended by the NRPA Guidelines, the City’s zoning code requires new development in the
mixed-use zoning districts to set aside a minimum percent of open space and the City’s multi-
family design standards include a requirement for useable open space.
For any residential development within the City where a PUD, multi-family or subdivision is
proposed, or where the development is subject to SEPA, the City should develop criteria by
ordinance that will require some amount of usable open space. As an alternative, the
recommended action is to provide an allowance for development to pay fees in lieu of
dedication to the City to either purchase land or to provide recreational amenities that service
the particular development. This fee or dedication would be in addition to the existing
neighborhood park service area within which the new development is located.
5.2.4. Commercial Level of Service
Pocket parks are often associated with commercial zones in the City. Port Townsend’s pocket
parks provide urban open space along the Waterwalk, in the downtown Historic District and in
outlying commercial and industrial areas. The target users are a wide variety of employees,
customers, visitors, and youth.
Figure 5.2 shows the major employment centers, areas of commercial multi-family zoning and
existing facilities that serve these urban centers. Analysis of the figure shows that the Sims Way
commercial district and the Sheridan Street - Hospital Zone area do not have the same density
of public open space as does the Downtown or Uptown Historic Districts. The City has
identified or purchased properties along the Sims Way Corridor that may be developed in the
future as City pocket parks.
Figure 5.2 also shows multi-family and neighborhood commercial zoning. Many of these as yet
undeveloped areas are not served by public pocket parks.
New neighborhood commercial and manufacturing developments are encouraged through
Comprehensive Plan Goals to provide on-site parks and open space for recreational use. The
City should recognize the importance of on-site private open space in
commercial/manufacturing complexes as a separate and additional requirement from the
neighborhood park level of service as recommended by the NRPA Guidelines.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 39
5. Needs Analysis
The NRPA recommends a set-aside of 25% of the development area of multi-family and
commercial development for recreational use as a minimum standard. The City has adopted
standard percentage set asides for new development in the Mixed Use zoning districts (CI-MU
and CII-MU) and should consider similar standard percentage set aside for other commercial
and light industrial zoning districts.
Private open spaces can include but should not be limited to children’s play areas. Where
children’s play areas are included in development proposals, these areas should meet safety
standards in design and construction.
5.3. Demographic Trends - Then and Now
In the first decade of this century, the City’s population increased at less than 1% per year (Table
5.3.). Although the adjusted population forecast may appear less demanding, demographic
trends can shift priorities.
Port Townsend now has a significantly older population. While home ownership rates have
decreased only slightly, the average household size is smaller. The percentage of citizens living
below the poverty level increased significantly. And while the median per capita income has
increased by 22%, because household size is smaller, there is less income to support each
household. Since the median house value has doubled, those smaller households are less able
to make ends meet.
Percent decreases in all age groups of children and young adults occurred in the last decade
with the most dramatic decreases in the 5-14 year age group (Figure 5.3.). The population age
group most likely to be raising children and actively pursuing careers (ages 35-54) declined
substantially while older age group percentages (ages 55-74) increased significantly.
The OlyCAP Community Needs Assessment report (2013) indicates that the numbers of child
care centers in Jefferson County have decreased to a far greater percentage during the same
period where the numbers of children in age groups needing daycare remained relatively
constant. Households with children have a lower median income than those without children and
increased numbers of children are living in poverty. Concurrently, numbers of children diagnosed
with disabilities are increasing and nearly half of live births are now to single mothers. As median
Table 5.3. Port Townsend demographic changes, 2000-2010, from US Census
parameter 2000 2010 percent change
population 8334 9113 +9.3%
median age, yrs. 46.6 53.0 +13.7%
home ownership rate 65.2% 64.4% -1.2%
persons/household 2.09 1.94 -7.2%
% below poverty 14.0 17.2 +23%
median per capita income $22,395 $27,356 +22%
median house value $150,300 $302,700 +101%
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 40
5. Needs Analysis
wages have increased only modestly while other household costs are much higher, more than
50% of Port Townsend's children are now reliant on free and reduced lunch programs in school.
Free summer lunches and activities were provided to all children who attended YMCA programs
in 2013.
As parents have fewer options to
provide for children's access to
recreation and play spaces, public
parks and playgrounds become
ever more important.
Fewer day-care programs and more
single-parent households indicate a
greater need for after-school
programs.
Dramatic increases in Jefferson
County food bank usage were reported
for fiscal 2012 over prior years, in
particular among people over age 55.
In 2013, the Port Townsend Food
Bank opened an additional day each
week, exclusively for senior citizens in
need of food bank services.
As low-income seniors find themselves in smaller living spaces with fewer resources,
safe access to public parks with ADA features is critical to maintaining quality of life.
Although our definitions and accessibility standards represent the recommended level of service
standard for parks for the City of Port Townsend, level of service definitions should now
recognize and include consideration of NRPA's 2014 guidelines for conservation, health and
wellness, and social equity.
5.4. Community Input
The building of a city’s parks, open space and recreation system is largely directed by
community values, priorities, and resources. Clearly parks and recreation play an integral role
in the community’s identity as expressed in the community direction statement from the
Comprehensive Plan (Section 1.1.). Local community goals and priorities in Section 4 further
refine this vision. But preferences change over time (Figure 5.4.). Open and ongoing
communication with the public is crucial to the development of this Parks, Recreation & Open
Space Functional Plan. Measuring and monitoring of public needs, perceptions and satisfaction
levels was done in several ways as described below.
In the spring of 2010, a community survey about parks and recreation was mailed to a semi-
random group of residents. Since the survey was distributed to 2500 of those residents who
receive billing for water and sewer service, condominium owners, renters and those living in
group quarters were not surveyed. Response rate was approximately 25% and respondents
were divided into the same three geographical distributions used (NW, SW, E) for surveys
supporting the 1999 Parks Functional Plan development.
Figure 5.3. Port Townsend population age
distribution, 2000 and 2010, US Census.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 41
5. Needs Analysis
Also in the spring of 2010, a survey of youth
programs and services was distributed to
1100 middle and high school students in
public and private schools. Response rate
was approximately 40% with equivalent levels
of response among grades 6-11 but very low
response from 12th grade students.
In the summer of 2010, a community meeting
was attended by more than 60 residents to
discuss what had changed since the 1999
Parks Functional Plan was written and what is
needed for the future.
The first draft of this Parks Plan was released
in spring 2011. Notice was published
announcing a 14-day public comment period.
Extensive written comments and suggestions
were received from the public. A second draft
was released in October 2011.A series of
public meetings before the Parks, Recreation
and Tree Advisory Board, the Planning
Commission and City Council provided
citizens considerable opportunity to critique
and offer recommendations for improvement
of the second draft. In total, more than one
hundred pages of written comments and
suggestions were received from numerous
individuals. In response, a third draft was
developed combining draft 2 and the existing
1999 Functional Plan with necessary updates
and input from the public. Draft 3 was
released prior to a public open house hosted
by the Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory
Board on January 28, 2014.
During the same interval as the first two drafts of
this Parks Plan were underway, an East Jefferson
County effort (inclusive of Port Townsend) was
focused on the feasibility of developing a Parks and Recreation District or a Metropolitan Parks
District. As a part of this exploration, an online survey collected information for one month (19
September - 19 October 2011) and received 1473 responses, with approximately half the
responses reporting in from the Port Townsend zip code.
After a year of deliberations, the exploratory committee recommended that an MPD effort be
pursued. Port Townsend City Council and Jefferson County Board of Commissioners voted to
go forward with a more directed effort which continued until it was ultimately deemed unfeasible
by both elected bodies in October 2013. While the effort to study the feasibility of an MPD was
underway, no further progress was possible to complete this Parks Plan, due to staffing
limitations and the uncertainty of future direction.
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Figure 5.4. Relative importance of top five
activities common to all community surveys
about parks and recreation conducted from
1975 - 2010, with highest being most important.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 42
5. Needs Analysis
The conclusions of the 2010 and 2011 mail and internet surveys were consistent with historical
information. Respondents:
• valued parks for quiet places to walk and enjoy nature
• prioritized the addition of more nature trails and wildlife corridors over other amenities
• used nature paths and trails more than other city park facilities
• wanted more opportunities for youth activities and development
The 2010 youth survey found that of all the possible activities listed, visiting parks was the most
consistent activity of youth. Thirty to 45% of all grades reported visiting parks 'often' and another
30% or more visited 'some'. Almost no youth indicated that they never went to parks. At the time
of the youth survey, the Community Recreation Center had been closed for lack of funding and
there was considerable support to re-open it. The most desired amenity was a 24/7 internet
café.
The 2010 community meeting participants identified significant changes since the 1999 Plan,
which included:
• Mountain View School closed, then re-opened as Mountain View Commons
• YMCA established a partnership with the city
• Northwest Maritime Center built
• Skateboard Park built
• Quimper Wildlife Corridor and Cappy's Woods and Trails supported with IAC funding
• Parkside Park property purchased
• New subdivisions developed on Castle Hill (southwest side of town)
• Bobby McGarraugh Park play equipment replaced
• County parks budget cuts closed North Beach, Memorial Field and the Community
Recreation Center
For the future, participants prioritized:
• protection of existing open space and passive recreation areas
• securing Mountain View Commons for long term community use
• completion of the property transfer at Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park
• development of an additional dog park and pocket parks at street ends
• development of a larger neighborhood or community park on the west side
• planting of more native tree and shrub species
• long term community access to a swimming pool
• more adult classes and spaces for adult enrichment classes
5.5. Tourism
Residential growth is not the only foreseeable impact to park services. The City’s ability to
provide adequate tourist facilities such as restrooms, transient parking, interpretive services,
and shoreline access for pedestrians and boaters is experiencing increasing seasonal demand.
Extensive promotion through the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (formerly the Tourism
Advisory Group) has been effective in increasing the length of the visitor season beyond the
traditional summer months. Increases in tourist visits to Port Townsend will continue to increase
demand on City park facilities and services. These demands are likely to center along the
Waterwalk, along the Gateway Corridor, and in relation to the Golf Course and Fort Worden
State Park and Conference Center. This increase in demand for service should be analyzed and
included in future park planning.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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5. Needs Analysis
Use by visitors of City facilities is not well documented although the impacts are evident in the
increased maintenance hours needed by park crews for cleanup. Future analysis of impacts on
the Parks Department operations and maintenance should account for increase in use by non-
residents. Tourists are attracted to a well maintained system of parks and trails and thus, wise
investment in the Parks Department contributes to a healthy tourist economy.
5.6. Maintenance and Operations
Another key consideration in future facilities planning is the community’s ability to maintain
parks. Maintenance and operations costs vary widely depending on the type of facility (e.g.,
natural open space parks with limited trails are likely to require significantly less maintenance
than an athletic field with associated restrooms). Table 3.2. provides a relative ranking of high,
medium and low (H, M, L) for all City parks. In the 1991 Parks Plan, an analysis of other
similarly sized parks departments in the region found that staff ranged from 2 - 8 FTEs with 3 -
10 seasonal staff and most reported that level of staffing to be marginal. City parks staff is
currently 2 FTEs with no seasonal staff. Staff relies on volunteers for help leaf raking, weeding,
and picking up litter. Routine maintenance efforts are falling behind. An analysis by the Trust
For Public Land (tpl.org/cityparkfacts) indicates that the national median FTEs is more than five
per 10,000 citizens; it also indicates that the median national spending on parks per resident is
twice the City's expenditure. The City should strive to maintain staff levels proportionate to the
City's population.
5.7. Conclusions
Although the current number of acres of park property meets the city’s adopted level of service,
throughout the development of this Parks, Recreation, & Open Space Functional Plan a number
of deficiencies in the current citywide park system were identified:
• Additional park acreage will be needed by 2025
• Residents in the northwest side of the city lack adequate access to a neighborhood
park
• Pocket parks are lacking in the Upper Sims Way Commercial Corridor
• Demographic indicators point to a greater need for after-school programs as well as
safe access to public parks with ADA features
• It has also been identified that the community would like to see a dedicated
(sufficiently sized) dog park as well as improvement and expansion of
interconnected, signed and accessible trails and paths and an expanded community
recreation program that engages the city’s youth
• Many of the current park facilities need improvements and renovations
• Staffing and funding levels are disproportionate to the city’s population.
The determined conclusions are based on citizen input at public meetings, through the City-wide
survey, input from the Parks, Recreation & Trees Advisory Board, as well as ongoing
community input and contributions from City staff. Section 6 (Implementation) describes how the
Parks Plan will address these identified deficiencies in more detail.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 44
6. Implementation: Recommendations
SECTION 6. IMPLEMENTATION
6.1. Overview
The following recommendations for implementing the Parks, Recreation & Open Space
Functional Plan focus on park acquisition, development and repair. Implementing the
recommendations contained in this Parks Plan will depend on both opportunity and funding
availability. As competing demands escalate for increasingly limited City resources, creative
solutions are needed to fund park-related projects. Realization of the Parks Plan will take time
and will require a sound and realistic financing strategy.
This section contains both long-term recommendations and a six-year capital improvement
program (CIP) based on current assumptions. As noted throughout this Parks Plan, facilities
owned by other entities supplement the City’s system. A closure of a County/State/School/Port
facility could result in a need to revisit the recommendations provided herein.
The projects identified in this Parks Plan are intended to meet the current and future needs of
the community and are written generally to facilitate flexibility over time to allow the City to adapt
to changing desires, needs and development patterns. Projects are divided into three
categories; Acquisition (AQ), Park Development (PD), and Major Repairs and Site
Improvements (MR).
Acquisition (AQ): Property that if acquired would serve as a park or open space asset to
the City of Port Townsend. In some cases these are specific sites and in certain cases
they are more general in nature to meet a need over time.
The following priorities should guide future acquisition for Port Townsend’s parks,
recreation and open space:
• Where possible, preserve the integrity of existing parks with adjacent parcel
acquisitions. Purchase new park land in order to anticipate and meet deficiencies in
neighborhood park service.
• Acquire park and open space land through
1. Direct acquisition
2. Joint funding with stormwater or other utilities (where possible) and
3. Where legally permissible, require dedication of park land or fees in lieu of
dedication to mitigate direct impacts of development
Park Development (PD): Generally these projects occur on City-owned property or within
easement areas. The project description includes a basic scope of the project and
location. The details of the development project are anticipated to be refined (with public
input) as the projects move forward in the planning and funding process. Development of
new facilities and/or redevelopment of existing park facilities must be balanced in a way
that maintains existing investments while also providing new opportunities and facilities to
meet demand and changing needs.
The following priorities should guide future development of Port Townsend’s parks,
recreation and open space:
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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6. Implementation: Recommendations
• The City should take a phased approach to implementation based on projected
growth patterns and specific types of funding available over the next five to ten
years.
• Develop recreational facilities in partnership with other entities.
• Develop additional neighborhood parks in a phased manner as growth increases
demands in areas not currently served by park facilities.
• Develop properties and areas identified in the CIP.
Major Repairs & Site Improvements (MR): Renovation of facilities plays a role in
ensuring a safe, functional and well-maintained park system by addressing the
replacement and improvement of existing facilities. Generally these projects are identified
based on the anticipated lifespan of a particular amenity or existing structure. Such efforts
also address improvements to facilities required to meet the growing needs of the
community or to address deficiencies in accessibility.
The City should use the following policies to develop neighborhood parks:
• Parks should develop in accordance with a master site plan in consideration of the
specific site conditions, neighborhood characteristics, and recreational goals.
• Park amenities should be provided in a phased manner that is linked with the build
out of the neighborhood and as the facility use increases. To accommodate a broad
use of the facility while preserving and protecting neighborhood characteristics, the
City should evaluate the effectiveness of current off street parking standards.
6.2. Core Themes
The Park Department proposes to focus attention on five core themes in order to meet the
needs of the community.
1. Maintain Existing Facilities & Manage Demands Associated with Growth: Port
Townsend has developed an established network of parks, open spaces and recreation
facilities totaling more than 140 acres. A key component of the Park Plan is to
recognize and re-invest in existing facilities. Continued maintenance and re-investment
will ensure that existing facilities continue to provide recreational benefits for years to
come.
New development will increase demand on the City’s park system. The City should
consider developing criteria that would require dedication of some amount of usable
open space as a condition of new development. An alternative to dedication should be
an allowance for new development to pay fees in lieu of dedication to the City.
2. Seek Sustainable Funding/Multi-agency Approach:
As further described in Section 5.6. Maintenance and Operations, the City's capacity to
fund and staff parks and recreation programs has diminshed in recent years. Both
funding and staffing are below the national median. Fiscal constraints have forced the
City to become more creative in the maintenance, redevelopment and programming of
existing parks as well as in the acquisition of future parks and open spaces.
Establishing partnerships with other organizations will become increasingly important if
the City is to continue to provide and maintain quality parks, open space and recreation
programs. Coordination with the Port Townsend School District’s long-range planning is
essential to maximize land acquisition opportunities. Combined usage of recreational
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 46
6. Implementation: Recommendations
facilities should be recognized as good public stewardship and these partnerships
continued.
3. Green Port Townsend - Tree City USA - There is a substantial interest in and public
concern about trees including their quantifiable impact on carbon cycling and climate
change mitigation. As noted in Section 3.5.4, the City participates in the Tree City USA
program, a national program that provides the framework for community forestry
management for cities and towns across America. To qualify, the City must meet four
core standards demonstrating a viable tree management plan and program. Funding
for a tree program and a tree inventory is warranted. Community-member expertise
would be of great benefit to such a program. Currently, these needs are being met
through the Main Street Program and the Public Works Department, but the functions,
benefits, and beauty of all trees may warrant a higher priority. Port Townsend is filled
with spectacular specimens and varieties of native and landscape trees. Recently, the
Parks, Recreation and Trees Advisory Board's has placed a greater focus on urban
forests as an important attribute of the City’s parks and open spaces and contributors to
the health and well-being of the community.
4. Parks & Programs serving all ages and abilities – As identified in Section 5, there is
an identified need for retaining and expanding recreation programs/opportunities for all
ages and abilities. Young families need after-school programs, teens need a safe place
to gather, seniors need to stay active and special needs populations require ADA
accessibility.
The City currently partners with the Jefferson County YMCA to provide recreation
services to the community. In addition to this partnership, there are other agencies that
provide recreation services for the community. It is recommended that the City create
an inventory of the programs currently being offered to the community and invite
community members (specifically youth) to discuss program wants/needs. This process
will allow a better understanding of where recreation program needs exist and will be
helpful for the City to develop strategy for future recreation program design, delivery
and funding.
5. Connectivity – Recent studies have shown a positive association between access to
parks and physical activity levels (Section 2). Port Townsend residents enjoy walking on
the numerous miles of nature trails and paths found throughout the City (Section 5).
This Parks Plan works in concert with the City’s Non-Motorized Transportation Plan,
emphasizing the need for connectivity between parks, schools, neighborhoods and
other areas of public interest to create easy access to the outdoors and recreation. A
connected system can become a part of the community fabric, weaving together
elements of citizens’ daily lives. Open space management plans and development
proposals need to identify areas where trails would be compatible with development
and open space functions. The City intends to accommodate trails in unopened rights-
of-way, future park development, and through City owned parcels.
6.3. Long-Term Capital Recommendations
Acquisitions:
1. Acquire a site for a Neighborhood Park in the underserved Northwest area of the City -
As this area experiences development and population expansions the need for
additional developed park space in this section of the City will increase.
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6. Implementation: Recommendations
2. Establish Pocket Parks in the underserved Sims Way commercial district, along
Sheridan Street fronting the Hospital Zone, and in multi-family and neighborhood
commercial zoning (CII-MU) as identified in Figure 5.2. Consider existing street ends
and other opportunities and explore the possibility of developing additional pocket/mini
parks where needed and feasible and where neighbors or adjacent businesses are
willing to adopt for maintenance.
3. Where possible, preserve the integrity of existing parks with adjacent parcel acquisition
for Kah Tai and Bobby McGarraugh Parks. Purchase new park land in order to anticipate
and meet deficiencies in neighborhood park service.
6.4. Six-Year Capital Recommendations/Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
The capital improvement program (CIP) section of the Parks Plan identifies a number of specific
park and open space projects and/or acquisitions to meet the needs of the community over the
next six years and beyond. This list was developed based on the data collected through the
public process, ongoing community input, staff input and the Level of Service (LOS) analysis.
It should be noted that some of the projects are likely to be addressed in an incremental manner
over a number of years. While timelines are indicated, it is possible that the City may determine
that a particular project should be put off to a later date based on funding feasibility. It is
anticipated that the City will review the CIP on an annual basis and determine any necessary
changes to the time frame as part of that process.
Acquisitions:
1. Explore the possibilities, costs and benefits of a pedestrian tunnel under Sims Way to
connect Bishop Park with the southern continuation of the same geological feature. This
is currently a dead end. Accessibility to the rest of the ravine on the southwest side of
Sims Way would encourage greater use and connect the area north of Sims with access
all the way to the Larry Scott Trail. It would also improve safety for pedestrians and
bicyclists.
2. Acquire property (5+ acres) on the west side of the City (West of Sheridan, South of
Hastings & North of Sims Way) and develop the property as a neighborhood park.
4. Acquire and develop an off leash dog park on the west side.
5. Work with the City’s Non-Motorized Transportation Board to identify possible locations
for trail connector development in the future as funding opportunities are available.
Park Development
1. The development of a dedicated dog park facility is a pressing need. The only current off
leash dog facility (Chetzemoka Dog Park) is too small for its use rate.
2. Explore the benefit of improving trails and adding of benches in the 35th Street Park in
keeping with preservation of the natural area.
3. Build a park maintenance shop in Chetzemoka Park to store Parks Department
equipment and tools.
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6. Implementation: Recommendations
4. In keeping with the basic principles of past PRTAB work plans, improve habitat at Kah
Tai Lagoon Nature Park by removing invasive species and planting native species in the
southern uplands; restore the southeastern wetland.
5. Develop a Golf Course Master Plan with the current leaseholder to provide long-term
guidance for the maintenance and improvement of the facility. (Funding for the Golf
Course is separate from parks and recreation and therefore it has not been included in
Table 6.1).
Major Repairs and Site Improvements
1. Replace/repair the roof structure of the Golden Age Club to help maintain this historic
structure.
2. Upgrade the restroom facility at Bobby McGarraugh Park to meet ADA accessibility
standards.
3. Replace or renovate the kitchen shelter, picnic shelter and restroom facility at
Chetzemoka Park to better serve the high amount of public use and to better
accommodate family gatherings and events at the park.
4. Repair and upgrade Kah Tai restrooms. Work with the owner/operator to provide
accessible public restrooms (which were a condition of approval for the Park and Ride
facility) at the transit hub adjacent to Kah Tai to relieve pressure on the nature park
facilities.
5. Continue to replace the Skateboard Park fence section by section as funds become
available.
6. Continue with renovations at Mountain View Pool as funds become available.
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6. Implementation: Recommendations
Table 6.1. Capital Improvement Projects
Project Description Type Cost
Estimate
Timeline Possible Funding
Sources
11 Develop Parkside Drive (Bishop) Park
Property
PD $30,000-
$50,000
2013-
2014
General Fund /
Civic/ Volunteers
2 Develop a dedicated sufficient sized
dog park on current City property or
new purchase
PD/
AQ
$50,000-
$75,000
2014-
2016
Private / Non-Profit /
General Fund
3 Develop connector trails with ADA
accessible amenities
PD $25,000-
$75,000
2014-
2016+
Ecology - LID;
WWRP; RTP
4 Replace Skateboard Park Fence MR $16,000-
$20,000
2014-
2016
General Fund
5 Repair/replace roof of Golden Age
Club
MR $18,000-
$20,000
2014-
2016
General Fund
6 Continue planting and wetland
restoration at Kah Tai
PD 2014-
2020+
PCJV, Private/Non-
profit, Civic
Organizations
7 Upgrade/repair restrooms at Kah Tai
Lagoon Nature Park
MR $25,000-
30,000
2015-
2017
CDBG - HUD;
WWRP
8 Upgrade restroom facility (ADA
standards) at Bobby McGarraugh
Park
MR $8,000-
$12,000
2015-
2017
CDBG - HUD;
WWRP
9 Renovate Mountain View Pool MR $100,000-
$1M+
2015-
2018+
Private / Non-
Profit/General Fund
10 Acquire property on W side for
Neighborhood Park (5 acre min.)
AQ $200,000-
$250,000
2016-
2018
WWRP -LP
11 Develop W side Neighborhood Park
property
PD $500,000-
$850,000
2016-
2018+
WWRP -LP
12 Construct a parks maintenance shop
at Chetzemoka Park
PD $25,000-
40,000
2016-
2018
General Fund
13 Replace or renovate the kitchen
shelter, restrooms and picnic shelter at
Chetzemoka Park
MR $150,000-
200,000
2018-
2020
Civic Organization,
Donations, Grants,
HUD
14 Acquire property on NW side for
Neighborhood Park (5 acre min.)
AQ $200,000-
250,000
2018-
2020+
WWRP -LP or LWCF
15 Establish pocket parks in underserved
Sims Way commercial,
Sheridan/Hospital zone and other CII-
MU
AQ
16 Explore pedestrian tunnel under Sims
to connect Bishop Park to southern
continuation
AQ TAP
17 Explore improvement of trails and
benches at 35th Street Park
PD
1 numerical list does not imply any order of priority. Dates for WWRP, LWCF and RTP listings are limited to the RCO
2-year funding cycle and are suggested as one proposal per cycle
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6. Implementation: Recommendations
6.5. Funding Resources
Jefferson County citizens approved a County-wide ballot measure in November 2010 to
increase the sales and use tax. The County's 60% share goes entirely to public safety and
justice while the City Council agreed to provide one-half of its 40% share to support the two
County-owned and run recreational facilities and programs within the City limits. An interlocal
agreement transfers those funds to the County to be used exclusively for the operations and
maintenance of the Port Townsend Community Center and Memorial Field. The interlocal
agreement expires May of 2015 and the future of the County facilities beyond that time is
uncertain.
A multi-year process was undertaken as a result of the County-wide 2010 ballot measure to
examine funding and management options for long term sustainability for City and County parks
and recreational assets. The process concluded that a Metropolitan Parks District is not a viable
option at this time. County recreational programs are at risk due to lack of funding and County
staff are considering a partnership with the Jefferson County Family YMCA to provide their
recreational programs, much like the City has done. City and County staff continue to explore
the possibilities of cost savings and efficiencies via interlocal agreements.
Based on the Capital Improvement Plan, budget revenues and expense projections
indicate a need to develop new funding sources for parks and recreation. The following
funding options should be considered:
City Funding
General Fund: This source comes from taxes, fees and other charges. It provides money for
general operations and maintenance. Capital projects are occasionally funded from these
sources when the capacity exists, usually via a transfer of funds to the Capital Improvement
Program Fund (CIP). Seeking creative solutions to fund parks, in 2008, voters approved the
Special Purpose Levy which was predicated largely upon a premise to segregate the Library
finances and free up general funding for parks.
Real Estate Excise Tax (REET): Tax imposed at the time of a real estate sale. There are two
component options of the tax. The first is the option of one quarter (1/4) of one percent (1%) of
the selling price of the real estate sold. There is an additional option of imposing a second one
quarter (1/4) of one percent (1%) of the property’s sale price. Many cities dedicate the revenue
portions or 100% derived from each of these components through City Council action to be
used for park and recreation capital purposes. Revenue from this fund should be estimated
conservatively, as the real estate market can be volatile.
Special Excise Tax: Cities can levy special excise tax of 2% on lodging as allowed under RCW
Chapter 82.08. The funds collected can be used solely for tourist promotion, acquisition and
operation of tourism-related facilities or all other uses authorized under RCW Chapter 67.28.
General Obligation Bonds: These are voter-approved or Councilmanic bonds with the
assessment placed on real property. The money can only be used for capital improvements and
not maintenance. This property tax is levied for a specified period of time (usually 20 to 30
years). Passage of a voter-ratified bond requires a 60% majority vote, while Councilmanic
bonds require only a majority of the City Council. One disadvantage of using this type of levy
may be the interest costs.
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6. Implementation: Recommendations
Voter approved Utility Tax Increase: Citizen voted increases in utility taxes are an option as a
Parks and Recreation Facilities Funding Measure. The funds can provide an on-going funding
source of dollars dedicated to specific capital funding projects, e.g. City of Olympia measure of
3% provides $2,000,000 annually for park capital projects which includes trails.
Growth Impact Fees: Park Growth Impact Fees are fees imposed on new development to
mitigate the impact of new development on the City’s park system. Impact fees can be used
only for parkland acquisition and/or development. Cities planning under the Growth
Management Act, in title RCW 82.02.050(2) can impose, collect and use impact fees.
Life Estates: This is an agreement between a landowner and the City where the city buys or
receives, through donation, a piece of land and the City gives the owner the right to live on the
site after it is sold for the lifetime of the owner.
County Funding/Legislative Options
Conservation Futures: Conservation Futures funds are a useful tool for counties to preserve
lands of public interest for future generations in both the unincorporated and incorporated areas
of the County. RCW 84.34.230 allows a property tax levy to provide a reliable and predictable
source of funds to help acquire interests in open space, habitat areas, wetlands, farm,
agricultural, and timberlands for conservation and for maintaining and operating (O & M) any
property acquired with these funds. Enactment of Conservation Futures by Jefferson County
provides the opportunity to secure vital waterfront and habitat lands and would have the
maintenance costs funded through the levy.
Sales and Use Tax: Sales and Use Tax: In November 2010, Jefferson County voters approved
Proposition 1 to increase sales and use tax. In support of the ballot measure the City and
County entered into an interlocal agreement whereby half of the City's prescribed 40% of total
revenues from the increase was committed to the County for temporary support of two County
owned facilities within the city, the Community/Recreation Center and Memorial Field, while the
City and County collaborated in an effort to secure long-term solutions for sustaining those
facilities and their programs. Absent further negotiations/agreements that arrangement is set to
expire in May of 2015 whereupon the City will recover direct control over the allocation of those
funds.
State Funding
Washington State provides various grants for public recreation acquisition and development
through the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO), the Department of Natural Resources
(DNR) and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Department (WDFW) and
Washington State Department of Ecology (ECY) programs.
Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO): Recreation and Conservation Funding Board
(RCFB) administers several grant programs for recreation and habitat conservation purposes.
Depending on the program, eligible project applicants can include municipal subdivisions of the
state (cities, towns, and counties, or port, utility, park and recreation, and school districts),
Native American tribes, state agencies, and in some cases, federal agencies and nonprofit
organizations. To be considered for funding assistance, most grant programs require that the
proposed project will be operated and maintained in perpetuity for the purposes for which
funding is sought. Most grant programs also require that sponsors complete a systematic
planning process prior to seeking RCFB funding. Grants are awarded by the RCFB Board
based on a public, competitive process which weighs the merits of proposed projects against
established program criteria. http://www.rco.wa.gov/
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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6. Implementation: Recommendations
RCO state grant categories include:
Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP): Funds the acquisition and development
of conservation and recreation lands. The Outdoor Recreation Account of the WWRP provides
matching grant funds for local and state parks, water access sites, trails, critical habitat, natural
areas, riparian and urban wildlife habitat, and farmland preservation. The newest categories
include the Farmland Preservation Program and the Riparian Protection Account. The RCO
accepts grant applications by May 1st of each even year. The successfully scored projects are
presented to the Governor, who recommends them to the legislature for capital funding the
following year. Most recently with the budget crisis the WWRP funding category has been in
jeopardy. Funding for this program was not recommended in the Governor’s 2011-2013 budget
but in the 2013 Legislative session $65 million was appropriated through the adoption of the
approved capital construction budget.
Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account (ALEA) Grant Program: This grant-in-aid supports the
purchase, improvement, or protection of aquatic lands for public purposes, and for providing and
improving access to such lands. It is guided by concepts originally developed by Department of
Natural Resources, including re-establishment of naturally self-sustaining ecological functions
related to aquatic lands, providing or restoring public access to the water, and increasing public
awareness of aquatic lands as a finite natural resource and irreplaceable public heritage.
Youth Athletic Facilities (YAF): The program was approved by Washington voters as part of
Referendum 48, which provides funding for the Seattle Seahawks stadium. The purpose is for
acquiring, developing, equipping, maintaining, and improving youth and community athletic
facilities. Eligible Grant Recipients: Cities, counties, and qualified non-profit organizations. Grant
recipients must provide at least 50% matching funds in either cash or in-kind contributions. An
initial $10 million was contributed by the Seattle Seahawks "team affiliate" in December 1998.
Anticipated revenues from non-expended Seahawks stadium bond monies and other sources
are not expected in the next several years.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
WDFW funds an Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account and Volunteer Cooperative Grant
Program.
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
WA DNR funds Community Forestry Assistance, Community Forestry Tree Inventory and Urban
Forestry Restoration (Tree Planting) grant opportunities via their Tree City program.
Transportation Alternative Program (TAP):
Washington State funds allocated to the Regional Transportation Planning Organizations
(RTPOs). Each RTPO maintains their own TAP application process, deadlines, criteria, etc.
The RTPO responsible for the Port Townsend area is the Peninsula RTPO.
(http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/partners/prtpo/). Contact the Peninsula RTPO for specific information
regarding their TAP application process.
Federal Funding
On the Federal level, Congress appropriates funds through a variety of programs that may
provide potential funding sources for various capital projects. These include the Environmental
Protection Act, Land and Water Conservation Fund Account, Rivers, Trails, and Conservation
Assistance Program (RTCA), Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Economic Development
Funding (EDI), Community Block Grant HUD, Environmental Protection Act with Brownfield’s
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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6. Implementation: Recommendations
clean-up funding, United States Department of Agriculture low interest loans and through direct
Congressional Appropriation. Links to government grant sources can be found at firstgov.com
and grants.gov. Congressional Grants for Neighborhood Initiatives are received annually and
are by invitation only through your congressional representative or senator. The FY 2011
invitations will come out in the spring and are administered under the Homes and Communities
Division of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
HUD Block Grants: Grants from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development
are available for a wide variety of park projects (5% of total). The Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) access projects for parks and playgrounds are eligible for this funding.
Congressional Appropriation: Annually, U.S. Senators and House Members accept letters of
proposals and applications for appropriation requests. Project descriptions and letters of request
for appropriation are due March 1st.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF): Funding through Congressional appropriation
in the annual budget assists in preserving, developing, and assuring accessibility to outdoor
recreation resources including, but not limited to, parks, trails, wildlife lands, and other lands and
facilities desirable for individual active participation. Grant recipients must provide at least 50%
matching funds in either cash or in-kind contributions. A portion of Federal revenue derived
from sale or lease of off-shore oil and gas resources is re-appropriated to projects through the
US Congress to the Department of the Interior to the National Park Service (NPS). The program
is administered in Washington State by the RCO. Sites purchased or developed with LWCF
funds are deed protected for outdoor recreation purposes in perpetuity and are defined through
the use of“6(f)(3)” federal map delineation.
Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA): RTCA is a technical assistance
program of the National Park Service (NPS) that implements the natural resource conservation
and outdoor recreation mission of the NPS in cooperation with local communities and the states.
RTCA provides planning assistance and project coordination to local governments and state
agencies for trail planning, greenways, water trails, and special recreation projects. The
President’s FY 2014 budget sustains funding for RTCA at 2012 levels. Through the RTCA
program, the National Park Service has launched a nationwide initiative to encourage healthful
outdoor physical activity in National Parks and in local communities to demonstrate practical
approaches for public land managers and community leaders who want to encourage active
lifestyles. National Park Service provides benefit support information through the NPS’s
Pathways to Healthy Living; Promoting Physical Activity in Parks and Communities. The data
and support documentation reiterates the close-to-home value of recreation on neighborhood
trails and greenways that is vital for improving America's public health. Working with the
National Park Service, grant seekers will realize the value of the current work and understand
that as a value to local communities, the NPS is ideally positioned to respond to this urgent
need to increase Americans' level of physical activity.
National Recreational Trails Program (RTP): The National Recreational Trails Program (RTP)
provides funds to rehabilitate and maintain recreational trails and facilities that provide a
backcountry experience. Eligible Projects: Maintenance of recreational trails, development of
trail-side and trail-head facilities, construction of new trails, operation of environmental
education and trail safety programs. Revenue Source: Federal gasoline taxes attributed to
recreational non-highway uses. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of
Transportation through the Federal Highway Administration and in Washington State by the
RCO.
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6. Implementation: Recommendations
National Tree Trust: National Tree Trust provides trees through two programs: America’s Tree
Ways and Community Tree Planting. These programs require trees to be planted by volunteers
on public lands. Additionally, the America’s Tree Way program requires a minimum of 100
seedlings be planted along public highways.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA offers Low Impact Development Storm
water Management Grants (LID) providing financial assistance through the Washington State
Department of Ecology Water Quality Program (http:www.ecy.wa.gov). One of the most
effective ways to manage storm water-runoff pollution is to minimize how much runoff occurs in
the first place. LID-designed sites have fewer impervious surfaces and use vegetation, healthy
soils, small-scale storage and dispersion / infiltration techniques to manage storm water. This
grant program began as a pilot in 2006 with grants awarded over the past two years. If
successful and federal funds continue to support the program, park improvements such as
shoreline enhancements, parking, roadway and walkway replacement with pervious surfaces
would all meet the criteria of the LID grant goals. An example of a successful LID waterfront
park grant recipient is Lions Field Park located in the City of Bremerton which was an original
LWCF federally funded development project. Contact: www.epa.gov/swerosps/bf/rlflst.htm
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) Economic Development Funding (EDI)
http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/economicdevelopment /programs/bedi/index.dfm program
administers the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) which provides block
grants to eligible cities and urban areas. Approximately $100 million of CDBG funds are utilized
annually for park and recreation projects which often are initiated along with more
comprehensive community redevelopment initiatives.
US Fish and Wildlife
USFW supports the Pacific Coast Joint Venture (PCJV), which funds small North American
Wetland Conservation Act grants for the acquisition, restoration and enhancement of wetlands.
Private Funding
Donations: The donation of labor, land or cash by service agencies, private groups,
corporations or individuals is a popular way to raise small amounts of money for specific
projects. The private funds are critical to show commitment of non-government dollars and as a
positive result can elevate the standing of the grant proposal. Such service agencies as the
Kiwanis and Rotary often fund small project improvements in partnership or provide the donated
labor match to bring the project to fruition. Environmental groups such as the Trust for Public
Lands or Cascade Land Conservancy organize and in partnership provide volunteer labor for
habitat restoration which can serve as a value for consideration toward the local match
requirement on specific grants. Principal property tax payers in the area such as major grocery
stores are sources of local contributions for civic and environmental benefits. As a partnership
opportunity they should be contacted, provided with collateral project information and
approached with regard to an initial request for partnership support funding. As with all grant
programs, grant agencies are looking to local communities to work with local advocates,
sponsors and private partners to bring the project to a funding level. Community advocates can
elevate the level of project scores in a competitive funding cycle. In some grant programs,
grants require private partnerships as a condition of application.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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6. Implementation: Recommendations
Foundations & Grants
Private grants and foundations: Many private foundations provide money for a wide range of
projects. Grants are available for children, cultural enrichment and heritage preservation. In
many cases, foundations require grant requests from non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations. On all
phases of park projects, staff should work with or create a partnership with private non-profit
organizations and seek opportunities to secure grant funds from private non-profit foundations.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 56
Appendices
Appendix A. Description of City Assets
Urban Pocket Parks 1
Neighborhood Parks 12
Community Parks and Golf Course 22
Appendix B. Open Space and Other Regional Assets
Open Space Inventory 29
Other Regional Assets
Jefferson County 34
State of Washington
Port Townsend School District 35
Port of Port Townsend 36
Areas Crossing Categories 37
Appendix C. Public Involvement: 2010 Community Survey and Youth Survey
Public Survey Results 42
Community Survey Questions 47
Youth Survey 51
Appendix D. Acronyms and Glossary 112
Appendix E. References 116
Appendix F. Adopting Ordinance (Ordinance 3105) 117
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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Appendix A. Description of City Assets
This section provides location, description and other information as well as a more extensive
history of each of Port Townsend’s city parks and other assets, as it is available from park and
City Council records. Figure 3.1 (Park Map) is repeated here for reference.
Urban Pocket Parks
Urban Pocket Parks
The urban pocket or mini parks are those parks which aren’t in areas that are dominantly resi-
dential and therefore do not serve defined neighborhoods. The 1999 Plan described these
assets to be primarily in commercial or manufacturing areas. The park spaces in this category
are in or near the uptown/downtown historic district or business/commercial district. In the 1975
Parks Plan, only one of these, then called Marine Park, was identified as a potential park; other
areas, including Haller Fountain, Bell Tower and what was then called the Taylor Street Stair-
way on the Taylor Street right of way, were regarded as ‘landscaped areas maintained by parks
staff’. The 1980 Parks Plan added Triangle Mini-Park I, Entrance Sign Park and Rotary Park
in the City parks inventory as landscaped areas but did not mention the Taylor Street Stairway.
The 1986 Parks Plan added no new landscaped areas or mini-parks. In the 1991 Parks Plan,
the Jackson Bequest was added; Haller Fountain was mentioned in conjunction with what were
now called the ‘Terrace Steps’; there were three Triangle Mini-Parks; and the Tyler Street Stairs
were included in the inventory. The 1999 Parks Plan divided Port Townsend Parks into the three
categories used today in keeping with NRPA, no longer referring to some of the urban pocket
parks as landscaped areas. Adams Street Park was added to the inventory in the 1999 Plan.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 2
General Location: Located on the corner of Adams and Water Streets.
General Description: Adams Street Park offers a convenient respite for visitors and resi-
dents as a tiny pocket park in downtown Port Townsend.
History: Adams Street Park provides a backdrop of manicured flower beds and comfortable
seating to enjoy the view of Port Townsend Bay. The downtown waterfront parcel located at the
corner of Adams and Water Streets augments street end beach access. The 0.08 acre lot was
purchased in 1993.
Opportunities: Shoreline Access/Shoreline Views
ParkingPlay
Equipment
Play FieldsShelterPicnic
Tables
/Benches
Restrooms
on streetNoNoNoYesNo
Adams Street Park
Classification:
urban pocket park
Zoning:
P/OS
Maintained Acreage:
all
Total Acreage:
0.08 acres
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 3
General Location: Located on the corner of Mill Road and Sims Way.
General Description: The official ‘welcome sign’ at the City limits identifies Port Townsend
as ‘A Victorian Seaport & Arts Community’. The new official logo for Port Townsend follows de-
sign features on the historic City Hall and is carried throughout the City in official signage.
History: This 0.59-acre, partially landscaped site welcomes residents and visitors to Port
Townsend. In 1988, the City added land to the original parcel. The site is adjacent to the pro-
posed forest corridor along the north side of Sims Way. It consists of landscaping, natural area
and the City’s welcome sign replaced in September 2013 as part of a National Park Service
wayfinding grant.
ParkingPlay
Equipment
Play FieldsShelterPicnic
Tables
/Benches
Restrooms
NoNoNoNoNoNo
City Entrance Park
Classification:
urban pocket park
Zoning:
P/OS
Maintained Acreage:
around sign
Total Acreage:
0.59 acres
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 4
General Location: The park on the Taylor Street right of way provides a welcoming route for
foot traffic between uptown Jefferson Street and the downtown intersection of Washington and
Taylor Streets.
General Description: The Fountain and Steps provide a connection between Port
Townsend’s uptown and downtown historic districts. The fountain is surrounded by low concrete
benches that encourage relaxing and people-watching. Midway up the stairs is a convenient
landing for resting.
History: The landscaped staircase on the Taylor Street right of way provides a welcoming
route for foot traffic between uptown Jefferson Street and the downtown intersection of Wash-
ington and Taylor Streets. The 1993 bronze replica of the original 1903 Galatea Fountain do-
nated by Theodore N. Haller stands at the foot of the steps. Two lots to the west of the fountain
were protected by the Westerman conservation easement from the Jefferson Land Trust in 1993
in order to prevent tree removal or building near the park. In 2010, a memorial in honor of Steve
Corra (longtime City Parks foreman) was added at the landing. The flag pole was replaced in
2011.
Special Restrictions/Challenges: The park and fountain require a very high level of main-
tenance. Mowing the steep slopes is difficult. The park is surrounded by a dense canopy of de-
ciduous trees that often require the fountain to be turned off during autumn leaf drop. The flower
beds require considerable effort.
Opportunities: The fountain is a focal point for winter festivities and decorations. The park
has been adopted by the Friends of Steve Corra.
ParkingPlay
Equipment
Play FieldsShelterPicnic
Tables
/Benches
Restrooms
on streetNoNoNoYesNo
Haller Fountain/Terrace Steps
Classification:
urban pocket park
Zoning:
P/OS
Maintained Acreage:
all
Total Acreage:
0.37 acres
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 5
General Location: Corner of Madison and Water Streets
General Description: The park provides an outdoor focal point and gathering place for
downtown visitors and residents. It serves as a venue for summer concerts and public space for
events at the Northwest Maritime Center, the American Legion and other downtown facilities.
History: Port Townsend’s first waterfront park in the downtown historic district, originally called
Marine Park, was renamed in honor of retired Park Superintendent John B. Pope. The 1.33 acre
waterfront park fronts the city’s main street across from City Hall. It comprises grass lawn area,
picnic tables, play equipment, the Pope Marine Building and City Dock. The park was renovated
as part of the $4 million Madison Street Streetscape Project that included remodeling of the Cot-
ton Building (the relocated and historic quarantine station) and adding new public restrooms.
The historic Pope Marine Building was completely refurbished with hotel/motel tax revenue and
is used for community meetings, conferences and other rentals. City Dock was torn down and
replaced with 50% of the funding provided by a Washington State Interagency Commission For
Outdoor Recreation (IAC) grant. It was deeded to the Port of Port Townsend in 2013 as part of
the exchange for Port property in Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park.
The Jackson Bequest park property adjoins Pope Marine Park. It was built in 1987 with a be-
quest from Mrs. Ruth Jackson and featured a concrete sculpture referred to as the ‘tidal clock’.
The park includes a wave viewing gallery and sand beds with native beach grasses and beach
peas. In 2010 the foundation of the wave viewing gallery was replaced and in 2011-12 the tidal
clock was removed as part of the downtown boardwalk/esplanade project.
Special Restrictions/Challenges: Beach is subject to shoreline erosion.
Opportunities: Shoreline Access/Shoreline Views
ParkingPlay
Equipment
Play FieldsShelterPicnic
Tables
/Benches
Restrooms
8YesYesNoYesADA
Pope Marine Park/
Jackson Bequest
Classification:
urban pocket park
Zoning:
P/OS
Maintained Acreage:
1.33 acres
Total Acreage:
1.33 acres
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 6
General Location: Adjacent to the ferry terminal on Water Street.
General Description: Rotary Park provides a comfortable location for ferry users and resi-
dents to take a break and relax while frequenting commercial businesses around the ferry termi-
nal. The park has picnic tables, benches and a drinking fountain.
History: When Port Townsend decided to move its ferry terminal from the downtown Quincy
Street Dock to its current location at the foot of Harrison, the City was required to deed the prop-
erty to Washington State (City Council Resolutions 82-2 and 82-3) so that Washington State
Ferries could build the terminal. The property ownership reverted to the City as soon as the
building was complete.
After the terminal was complete, the local Rotary Club decided to adopt the facility referred to
as ‘Ferry Terminal Park’ in 1984. It was built by the Rotary Club and is used principally by ferry
patrons. The landscaping was designed and installed by the parks staff and is maintained by the
parks staff and the Rotary.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Trees Advisory Board members joined parks staff, Ro-
tarians and others to celebrate Earth Day on April 27, 2012, with the planting of flowers and a
specimen of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (Port Orford Cedar).
Special Restrictions/Challenges: The site is exposed to high winds and salt spray and
receives heavy pedestrian traffic, presenting a serious landscaping challenge.
Opportunities: Focal point for visitors arriving by ferry.
ParkingPlay
Equipment
Play FieldsShelterPicnic
Tables
/Benches
Restrooms
on streetNoNoNoYesNo
Rotary Park
Classification:
urban pocket park
Zoning:
P/OS
Maintained Acreage:
all
Total Acreage:
0.34 acres
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 7
General Location: Located at the intersection between Sims Way and 10th Avenue
General Description: A beautifully maintained pocket or mini park referred to variously as
Triangle I, Dahlia Demonstration Garden and Master Gardener’s Park.
History: The 1980 Port Townsend Parks Plan added the property called Triangle MiniPark I to
park inventory.The property was maintained as a dahlia demonstration garden in the 1980s and
1990s by two dedicated citizens, Herb Heinle and Art Tickner, and various proposals were made
to name the park after both of them or either of them.
In early 2005, the Master Gardeners indicated by letter to the City Manager that they had ‘been
maintaining the Dahlia Garden on Sims Way...for several years’ and asked the City for permis-
sion to renovate the garden and improve the irrigation system. The City entered into an agree-
ment in August 2005 with Washington State University, the Jefferson County Extension Program
of Washington State University and the Master Gardeners Foundation of Jefferson County ‘for
establishing and maintaining the Port Townsend Sims Way Master Gardener Demonstration
Garden’. City provides the water and Master Gardeners maintain the garden according to a
design provided with the agreement.
ParkingPlay
Equipment
Play FieldsShelterPicnic
Tables
/Benches
Restrooms
on streetNoNoNoNoNo
T1/Dahlia
Classification:
urban pocket park
Zoning:
P/OS(B)
Maintained Acreage:
all
Total Acreage:
0.13 acres
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 8
General Location: Kearney Street between Sims Way and Water Street.
General Description: Gateway Park is anchored by a large Corkscrew Willow - Salix matsu-
dana.
History: While under threat of development, the mature Corkscrew Willow tree and 0.21 acres
of surrounding land on Kearney Street between Sims Way and Water Street were protected by a
conservation easement from the Jefferson Land Trust (the second easement undertaken by the
brand new Trust) and then purchased in 1990 with private funding and deeded to the City. The
Land Trust history calls it Willow Tree Park. It was referred to in City Council minutes as Triangle
Mini Park II until Council agreed by consensus (6 July 1992) to rename it Gateway Park, likely in
deference to the Gateway Plan developed for the City between 1987 and 1993.
Landscaped in 1992 around the existing willow, the park demonstrates the use of drought toler-
ant plantings for placement in a difficult microclimate. The use of low-maintenance plant species
requiring no irrigation formed the concept for this passive-use park. Intended as a demonstra-
tion garden for the community, this mini-park illustrates the idea of an aesthetically pleasing
design requiring little maintenance and few dollars to create an appealing place to visit. Parking
for the adjacent commercial area was included in the design. It has been adopted by the Port
Townsend Soroptimists and is maintained primarily by that organization.
Special Restrictions/Challenges: Conservation easement. Park zoned CII.
ParkingPlay
Equipment
Play FieldsShelterPicnic
Tables
/Benches
Restrooms
on streetNoNoNoYesNo
T2/Gateway Park
Classification:
urban pocket park
Zoning:
CII
Maintained Acreage:
all
Total Acreage:
0.21 acres
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 9
General Location: Located at the signalled intersection of Kearney Street and Sims Way.
General Description: Several young Pin Oaks shade the grass-covered triangle park which
serves as a pedestrian island at the signaled intersection of Kearney Street and Sims Way. It
also serves as an occasional gathering space for local protests, political campaign sign-waving,
demonstrations, celebrations and other spontaneous outdoor events.
History: This pocket park first appeared in the parks inventory in the 1991 Parks Functional
Plan. The park is the only one of the three so-called Triangle Parks in the 1991 Plan which has
not gained a different name in common usage. It is still referred to in City records as Triangle III.
Special Restrictions/Challenges: Property is zoned CII. High traffic limits access.
Opportunities: Visual focal point for visitors arriving by car.
ParkingPlay
Equipment
Play FieldsShelterPicnic
Tables
/Benches
Restrooms
NoNoNoNoNoNo
T3/Intersection
Classification:
urban pocket park
Zoning:
CII
Maintained Acreage:
all mowed
Total Acreage:
0.19 acres
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 10
General Location: Located in the Tyler Street right of way that connects Washington Street
with downtown Tyler Street.
General Description: It is a steeply sloping site that features a stairway with landings,
benches and low maintenance landscaping.
History: According to City Council minutes (21 January 1986), a group called ‘Trees for Port
Townsend’ intended “to give the stairs constructed on Tyler Street and the street trees down-
town” to the City of Port Townsend.The Tyler Street Stairs were first included in the 1986 Park
Plan inventory.
ParkingPlay
Equipment
Play FieldsShelterPicnic
Tables
/Benches
Restrooms
NoNoNoNoYesNo
Tyler Street Stairs
Classification:
urban pocket park
Zoning:
P/OS
Maintained Acreage:
minimal
Total Acreage:
0.08 acres
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 11
Neighborhood Parks
Neighborhood Parks
Neighborhood parks serve generally defined residential areas in the City. RCO describes the
service area of neighborhood parks as ‘a reasonable distance, up to one mile’, but recommends
that a majority of users usually live within a half-mile radius of a neighborhood park entrance.
The Trust For Public Land recommends a ten-minute walk (also described as a half mile) with-
out barriers such as highways as a standard for park access. Neighborhood parks may be de-
veloped with highly landscaped areas; maintained in near natural state with primitive public trails
the primary amenity; or they may be a combination of the two.
Sather, Bishop and Bobby McGarraugh (formerly Cherry Street) Parks all predate the 1975
Parks Plan. Elmira Park, 35th Street Park and the Golden Age Club adjacent to Chetzemoka
were added in the 1999 Plan. Although none of these 1999 additions is a conventional neighbor-
hood park, they are included in this category for discussion as their use is primarily within the
immediate neighborhood. In this update we add what is now nominally called Parkside Park,
currently under development as a landscaped extension of Bishop Park into the surrounding
neighborhood. Its acreage has been included in the Bishop Park acreage and inventory. Also
added here is Baker View Park.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 12
General Location: Located on the corner of 13th and Hancock Streets.
General Description: A 1.00 acre parcel of mature forest with a robust exterior buffer of na-
tive and introduced shrubs.
History: As a part of the development of Seaport Landing, Mountain West LLC deeded the
property to the City of Port Townsend as passive open space in partial fulfillment of PUD ap-
proval criteria.
Special Restrictions/Challenges: No restrictions were placed on potential future uses of
the park to allow for flexibility in future planning, so long as any planned use or development is
consistent with the City’s Hearings Examiner’s decision.
Opportunities: Passive park.
ParkingPlay
Equipment
Play FieldsShelterPicnic
Tables
/Benches
Restrooms
on streetNoNoNoNoNo
13th and Hancock Park
Classification:
neighborhood park
Zoning:
RIII
Maintained Acreage:
none
Total Acreage:
1.00 acres
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 13
General Location: Corner of Rosecrans and 35th Streets
General Description: An urban forest of mature native trees with wetlands and a few primi-
tive trails.
History: Jefferson County deeded 6 acres of the park to the city in 1995, designated for de-
velopment into an active use park with a playfield, parking, restrooms, basketball court and
children’s play structure. The property is currently mostly natural open space with trails. Existing
wetlands, storm water management and neighboring property owner disapproval have delayed
the development of this property. In 2002, the City purchased additional acres adjacent to the
original parcel but less complicated by wetlands than the original parcel.
Special Restrictions/Challenges: Neighbors have been reluctant about any further devel-
opment into an active use park as originally intended and preference appears to be maintaining
the park as natural open space for habitat and buffer. There is no plan to develop at this time.
Opportunities: Improvement of trails for wildlife observation, with a few benches and bicycle
racks.
ParkingPlay
Equipment
Play FieldsShelterPicnic
Tables
/Benches
Restrooms
on streetNoNoNoNoNo
35th Street Park
Classification:
neighborhood park
Zoning:
P/OS
Maintained Acreage:
primitive trails
Total Acreage:
13.96 acres
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 14
General Location: Corner of 22nd and Wilson Streets
General Description: More the size of pocket parks in the urban core, this small jewel of a
neighborhood park is entirely residential and is enjoyed by the immediate neighborhood.
History: Landscaped property includes grass lawn area, manicured flower beds, maturing
shrubbery and landscaping, a picnic table and bench. The ‘pocket’ park serves the immediate
neighborhood as a casual outdoor gathering space and has been adopted by the neighborhood.
It was deeded to the City in 2002.
ParkingPlay
Equipment
Play FieldsShelterPicnic
Tables
/Benches
Restrooms
on streetNoNoNoYesNo
Baker View Park
Classification:
neighborhood park
Zoning:
P/OS
Maintained Acreage:
0.22 acres
Total Acreage:
0.22 acres
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 15
General Location: Between Sims Way and Parkside Drive with a landscaped addition be-
tween Hancock Street and Memory Lane
General Description: Bishop Park proper will remain primarily open space with trails; no ad-
ditional facilities are planned in the interior. Adjacent property at Parkside Drive is under devel-
opment as a small neighborhood park in 2014.
History: In April 1966, William and Astrid Bishop recorded their intention to “dedicate to the use
of the public forever all streets, avenues, places and parks...” in their plat of Bishop’s Park Addi-
tion. The William Bishop Park and its trails are clearly delineated on the plat map. In 1990, two
adjoining 40 x 100 foot lots (lots 45 and 46) on the western perimeter were added to the park
through the considerable efforts of private citizens and council members. A third lot was added
in 1993 (lot 47) as well as easements for water management across other lots in the area. A
final lot (44) was purchased in 1999 to complete the western boundary of the park (as described
in Resolution 99-003). Bishop Park is the northern expression of a ravine that drains into Port
Townsend Bay. The importance of Bishop Park to storm drainage can be readily observed in the
City’s stormwater basin map, where Basin #11 is called ‘Bishop Park’ and includes nearly 200
acres.
Foot paths wind along the ravine through the understory of salal, sword ferns and Oregon grape
under mature native trees including Big-leaf Maple, Red Alder and Douglas Fir. Adjacent to Sims
Way, this has been the only City parkland in the rapidly developing southwest portion of town.
Landscaped property north of Parkside Drive will bring play equipment for small children, bench-
es, picnic tables, bicycle rack and other amenities to an underserved neighborhood.
Special Restrictions/Challenges: Sims Way/SR20 creates a barrier to access. Parkside
property is zoned RII.
Opportunities: Proximity to Larry Scott Memorial Trail offers potential for connections.
ParkingPlay
Equipment
Play FieldsShelterPicnic
Tables
/Benches
Restrooms
on streetYes*YesYes*Yes*No
Bishop/Parkside Park
Classification:
neighborhood park
Zoning:
P/OS
Maintained Acreage:
0.61 acres
Total Acreage:
4.20 acres
* in progress, 2014
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 16
General Location: Cherry Street between S and P Streets
General Description: Bobby McGarraugh Park sits in a south facing depression that shel-
ters users from the wind and provides an intimacy to the location. It now includes a grass play
area, picnic shelter, young children’s play structures and a restroom. New play equipment was
installed in 2010 and a new picnic shelter was built in 2011. In October 2013, the Park Board
scheduled ‘Bulbfest at Bobby’s’, a community event to plant 3000 spring flowering bulbs at the
park.
History: The 2.03-acre park site, formerly called Cherry Street Park, was renamed in 1996 to
honor the late City Parks employee Bobby McGarraugh. It was once a city-owned gravel pit.
Council minutes report on grading, topsoil distribution and playground equipment on 16 October
1973 and note an area planned for tennis courts. The 1975 Parks Plan recommended develop-
ment and a grant proposal was submitted to IAC in 1976 for development funding. Council min-
utes (17 August 1976) note that IAC required that unopened street rights of way for Q between
Cherry and Willow Streets and Rose between P and R Streets be vacated within the month for
the proposal to be considered. Although this was done promptly by Council, there is no record
that an IAC grant was received for the park. The 1991 Parks Plan mentions a grass volleyball
court, picnic shelter and children’s play equipment.
ParkingPlay
Equipment
Play FieldsShelterPicnic
Tables
/Benches
Restrooms
15YesYesYesYesADA
Bobby McGarraugh
Classification:
neighborhood park
Zoning:
P/OS
Maintained Acreage:
2.03 acres
Total Acreage:
2.03 acres
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 17
General Location: Corner of Hudson and Taft Streets
General Description: A fully fenced dog park with sand and bark-chipped open areas.
History: The Dog Park is the only one of its kind in Port Townsend at this time, although there
is considerable public interest in development of other similar facilities and an additional facility
is listed in the CIP. Other parks which are ill equipped to accommodate dogs offleash are used
for that purpose in lieu of sufficient offleash areas. Formerly used by the Golden Age Club for
outdoor activites, this 0.6 acre property adjoins Chetzemoka Park and has been converted to
an offleash dog park. It is located on the corner of Hudson and Taft Streets, is fully fenced and
offers sand and bark chipped open areas, a picnic table, park bench and water faucet.
Special Restrictions/Challenges: The park isn’t large enough to accomodate the needs of
the dog-owning public.
Opportunities: Water and mountain views.
ParkingPlay
Equipment
Play FieldsShelterPicnic
Tables
/Benches
Restrooms
on streetNofor dogsNoYesNo
Dog Park at Chetzemoka
Classification:
neighborhood park
Zoning:
P/OS
Maintained Acreage:
0.6 acres
Total Acreage:
0.6 acres
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 18
General Location: northern end of Elmira Street
General Description: The property is natural open space with a walking trail and a small
abandoned observation post.
History: The property was acquired in 1994 as a trade with the adjoining property owners on
the northern coast of the Quimper Peninsula. The property offers breathtaking views from a high
wave-cut bluff across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It is accessible for foot traffic only. No further
development is planned due to instability of the undercut bluff. The area is known among local
youth as ‘The End of the World’.
Special Restrictions/Challenges: The bluff was dramatically undercut in winter storms of
2013-14 and a major portion collapsed down onto North Beach. At this writing the park is closed
to the public and its future is undetermined.
Opportunities: Water and mountain views.
ParkingPlay
Equipment
Play FieldsShelterPicnic
Tables
/Benches
Restrooms
2NoNoNoNoNo
Elmira Street Park
Classification:
neighborhood park
Zoning:
P/OS
Maintained Acreage:
trail
Total Acreage:
0.54 acres
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 19
General Location: Corner of Hudson and Roosevelt Streets
General Description: Historic facility fallen on hard times
History: Golden Age Club building formerly served as part of the coastal defense system and
as a recreation facility for senior citizens, but it is deteriorated and no longer usable.
Special Restrictions/Challenges: The building has failed to the point that it is no longer
safe for public use.
Opportunities: Water and mountain views.
ParkingPlay
Equipment
Play FieldsShelterPicnic
Tables
/Benches
Restrooms
on streetNoNoNoNoNo
Golden Age Club
Classification:
neighborhood park
Zoning:
P/OS
Maintained Acreage:
0 acres
Total Acreage:
0.21 acres
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 20
General Location: Corner of Foster and Adams Streets
General Description: An urban forest of mature native trees including Douglas Fir and Ma-
drona that provide a green buffer in the midst of a densely populated neighborhood.
History: The 6.72 acres now known as Sather Park on Morgan Hill include the site of a failed
vision of grandeur started during Port Townsend’s 19th century boom years. An elegant three-
story hotel called the Mountain View was begun in 1886 by Captain H.E. Morgan as a part of the
platted Mountain View Addition but it was never finished. The building was abandoned and blew
down in a windstorm in 1916. The site became Sather Park when Jefferson County sold it to the
City for $50 in 1925. The park was named after Mayor Floyd Sather, who arranged the sale and
dedicated the land for park use. The area where the hotel stood is now a clearing in the center
of the park.
In 1974, Park Board discussions considered development of nature trails and ponds fed from
the (then) nearby City reservoir. In the 1975 Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Plan, Sather
was still described as a ‘proposed’ park and recommended for development with volunteer effort
into a nature park with a defined budget and timeline. Recommendations included planting only
native species and retaining the natural character. In 1994, Jefferson County deeded a block
of property to the east of Sather Park’s entrance to the City on condition that it be used for an
informal play field for the immediate neighborhood.
A lack of communication in 2006 led to an effort to turn the informal play field into a dog park
without adequate public process. After neighborhood protest, the designation as a dog park was
suspended by unanimous City Council vote on 7 August 2006. On 4 February 2008, Council
unanimously tasked the Park Board to consider appropriate places for additional off-leash dog
parks in the work plan. See more information with regard to this task in the Implementation sec-
tion.
Opportunities: Mix of open field and forest.
ParkingPlay
Equipment
Play FieldsShelterPicnic
Tables
/Benches
Restrooms
on streetNoYesNoYesNo
Sather Park
Classification:
neighborhood park
Zoning:
P/OS
Maintained Acreage:
1.41 acres
Total Acreage:
6.72 acres
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 21
Community Parks and Golf Course
Community Parks
Community parks serve the entire city. Their features are generally unique for the area and draw
residents from a wider distance than do neighborhood parks. Again, they can be highly devel-
oped, near-natural or some combination, depending on their function and purpose. The Munici-
pal Golf Course and Chetzemoka Park were fully developed prior to our earliest Parks Plan in
1975. Also included in 1975 was the potential Kah Tai Lagoon Park. The 1980 Parks Plan was
focused on extensive plans to develop Kah Tai Lagoon into a fully functioning wildlife habitat
and nature park, and the successes and frustrations of that effort are described in the 1986,
1991 and 1999 plans. The Larry Scott Memorial Trail was added in the 1999 Parks Plan. In this
update we add the Port Townsend Skate Park, opened in 2006.
Port Townsend Golf Course
The Port Townsend Golf Course is a large, publicly-owned asset that serves a specific popula-
tion for a fee under a lease agreement. It is therefore considered a unique recreational facility.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 22
General Location: Intersection of Blaine and Jackson Streets
General Description: Chetzemoka Park sits on a gently sloped hillside overlooking Admiralty
Inlet with a commanding view of the Cascade Mountains. This highly developed and intricately
manicured park is considered by many to be the crown jewel of the city park system; its care
and maintenance consume a major fraction of the park budget and staff time. It includes flower
gardens, a bandstand, picnic areas, play structures, a kitchen shelter, and ADA accessible rest-
rooms. Excellent access to the beach and tidelands is provided.
A caretaker house is currently being used as the park shop and office space. In 1987 the park
beach was severely damaged by storms and high tides and an IAC grant funded repairs to the
beach access. An irrigation system was installed in 1990 and the restrooms were improved. The
gazebo/bandstand was completely reconstructed in 1991. In 1993 the play equipment in the
park was upgraded and replaced while in 1995 an ADA restroom was installed. Repair work was
done to the kitchen shelter in 1998. In 2002 a new play structure was erected at the north side
of the park.
History:Port Townsend’s first community park was established in 1904 as the first project of
the newly formed Civic Club. Nearly 200 volunteers showed up to help carve the 6.53-acre park
out of forested land that had been donated for the purpose by City Council (Simpson 1986).
Special Features: Bandstand, kitchen shelter, mature trees, access to the tidelands, views of
Admiralty Inlet and the Cascades.
Special Restrictions/Challenges: Maintenance for this highly manicured and intensively
used park is a challenge which consumes a substantial fraction of the parks budget. Kitchen
shelter and park office need repair.
Opportunities: Shoreline Access/Shoreline and mountain views, gazebo and kitchen shelter
make this park popular for events. Park attracts dedicated volunteers.
ParkingPlay
Equipment
Play FieldsShelterPicnic
Tables
/Benches
Restrooms
25YesYesYesYesADA
Chetzemoka Park
Classification:
community park
Zoning:
P/OS
Maintained Acreage:
6.53 acres
Total Acreage:
6.53 acres
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 23
General Location: bounded by Sims, 12th, Landes, 19th and Kearney Streets
General Description: Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park belongs in its entirety to the City of Port
Townsend as of 2013. As a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) park, perpetual 6(f)(3)
protections prohibit its use for any purpose other than that described in the grant which funded
its creation: a passive nature park supporting activities that are in keeping with protection of
wildlife habitat.
History: Kah Tai was a tidally flushed estuary until 1930, when Port Townsend built Sims Way
across the mouth of the lagoon. In 1963, the Port of Port Townsend decided to expand its boat
haven with the assistance of the Army Corps of Engineers. At the time, the ecological value of
estuaries wasn’t readily understood and Kah Tai’s value as an inexpensive dumping location for
dredge spoils was considered a better purpose. The transfer of 231,000 cubic yards of marine
sand and mud decreased the lagoon area by more than half and completely altered its physics,
biology and chemistry. Subsequent attempts to build a planned unit development on the dredge
spoils mobilized citizens to save what remained.
Volunteers did all the legwork, and a 1980-81 IAC grant proposal for federal LWCF support
(grant no. 53-00486/81-043A) to purchase the private parcels in the park received funding from
the Secretary of the Interior’s contingency funds. The expectation upon purchase of all private
parcels (from a total of 19 owners) was that the publicly-owned parcels (County, PUD and Port)
would all be transferred to the City.
A second grant funded in 1983 by IAC (grant no. 83-018) provided funds to match private dona-
tions and sweat equity to develop a nature park primarily on the recovering dredge spoils of the
Port-owned southern uplands, with Port agreement (minutes of 16 August 1982). The final plan
was unanimously approved by City Council (minutes of 6 August 1985). The small lagoon was
dug and connected to the bay, with approval of the Army Corps of Engineers (now better versed
on the importance of wetlands and estuaries). Trails were established and volunteers built the
bridge, picnic shelter and restroom. However, the full realization of a detailed plan to re-establish
wetlands in the southeastern uplands and develop 12 zones of native plant species was halted
and planting was forbidden when the transfer of Port lands stalled and then was forgotten. Other
plans developed and disappeared for the uplands while nature took her course and replanted
without permission from anyone. What should have been the most straightforward part of the
transaction, transfer of public lands, took 30 years to complete in 2013.
Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park
Classification:
community park
Zoning:
P/OS
Maintained Acreage:
1 acre + 0.5 mi. trails mowed
Total Acreage:
75.86 acres
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 24
Today Kah Tai serves as the second largest drainage basin in Port Townsend; drainage basin
#9 serves more than 700 acres of the City. The 1960s dredge spoils have matured into thriving
uplands. Kah Tai became Port Townsend’s first Adopt-A-Park in 2001, when a consortium called
the Kah Tai Alliance adopted the Park. More recently, the park has had its adoption renewed by
Admiralty Audubon and the Friends of Kah Tai. In spite of intermittent prohibitions on planting
native species in the uplands until the recent transfer to City ownership, volunteer efforts to re-
move invasives and robust natural succession have produced a beloved nature park. The Park
is on the Olympic Loop of the Great Washington State Birding Trail. Admiralty Audubon docu-
mented 62 land-associated and 36 water-associated species in a twice-monthly, two-year study
completed in 2011. More than 150 species of birds have been sighted at Kah Tai since the first
thorough documentation in 1978.
Special Restrictions/Challenges: Proximity to public transit and commercial areas results
in homeless populations making use of the urban forest. Original restrooms are three decades
old and in need of repair so are closed and a portable toilet is in place. As a 6(f)(3)-protected
Land and Water Conservation Fund park, development possibilities are limited by federal re-
strictions and public sentiment. Initial concerns about heavy metal contamination of the dredge
spoils were proved unfounded in 2001 when studies by the Washington State Departments of
Health and Ecology found the lagoon and uplands to ‘not pose a threat to human health or envi-
ronment’.
Special Features: Birding is a favorite pastime at the park. Kah Tai’s southern uplands have
walking and bicycle trails that are heavily used since the park provides access between east
and west Port Townsend. The trails are handicapped-accessible and are used by citizens with
strollers, walkers and wheelchairs. The open meadow and trail edges are the only areas that are
mowed. The meadow is used as a play area for children and teens and also sees significant,
unauthorized and occasionally problematic use as an offleash area to exercise neighborhood
dogs. Off-leash dog use is generally incompatible with wildlife habitat and is discouraged.
Opportunities: Proximity to Golf Course and Mountain View Commons.
ParkingPlay
Equipment
Play FieldsShelterPicnic
Tables
/Benches
Restrooms
YesNoYesYesYesPortable
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 25
General Location: Trailhead is on the western edge of the Port of Port Townsend Boat Haven
General Description: A multiuse trail system along wetlands and shoreline of Port Townsend
Bay.
History: A section of abandoned railway grade was deeded to the City in 1997 by the Port
Townsend Paper Company. The strip of waterfront along the railroad grade was converted to
a trail with a terminus at the Port of Port Townsend Boat Haven and dedicated in September
1998 as the Larry Scott Memorial Trail. It will eventually extend all the way to Port Angeles as
part of the Olympic Discovery Trail System, providing one of the most scenic routes for alterna-
tive travel on the Olympic Peninsula. The entire system inside the City limits is over 7 acres of
designated open space along wetlands and shoreline of Port Townsend Bay. The City is respon-
sible for maintenance of the trail head. Jefferson County maintains the restrooms, benches,
bike racks, interpretive signs and kiosk, lighting, and garbage cans. The Urban Waterfront Plan
identified the railroad transfer span that extended into the bay as a desirable feature for public
access. The span was accessed from the Larry Scott Memorial Trail. In 2010, Department of
Natural Resources money was acquired and the span was removed because of concerns about
creosote contamination.
Special Restrictions/Challenges: Occasional conflicts between different user groups. Bluff
and shoreline erosion.
Opportunities: Future expansion of the trail will extend to Port Angeles. The trail serves as an
excellent example of intergovernmental cooperation.
ParkingPlay
Equipment
Play FieldsShelterPicnic
Tables
/Benches
Restrooms
9NoNoNoYesADA
Larry Scott Trail
Classification:
community park
Zoning:
P/OS
Maintained Acreage:
7.07 acres
Total Acreage:
7.07 acres
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 26
General Location: Monroe and Jefferson Streets
General Description: The state-of-the-art skateboard park, designed and built by Dreamland
Skateparks, opened in May of 2006. The facility provides advanced deep bowls, rails, a begin-
ner section, drinking fountain. It is maintained in large part by its user group.
History: In Council minutes from 16 October 1987, Port Townsend youth asked for assistance
to find places to skateboard and were advised to ‘try Fort Worden’. In the 1991 Parks Plan, a
skateboard area was identified as a community need, and highlighted with a quote from a youth
survey: “These should not be ruled out as ‘dangerous’ or ‘difficult to insure’ or ‘faddish’. Youth
have been skateboarding for decades. They are getting better at it. If they don’t have places to
do it, they will do it in dangerous places”. Council Resolution 96-53 allowed the parking lot at
Monroe between Washington and Jefferson Streets to continue to be used as a skate park. The
lot had become a de facto skate park built by volunteers of all ages with City assistance and
Boiler Room guidance and fundraising.
The discussion of a location for a permanent skateboard park continued into the 21st century.
Mountain View School, Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park, and Lincoln School grounds were all
considered as possibilities in 2000 and 2001, with substantial public protest against the Kah Tai
location. Finally, in July 2001, Council instructed the City Manager and the Parks Board to come
up with a location that did NOT include Kah Tai. In July 2002, Council passed Resolution 02-035
to submit a grant proposal to IAC for funds. The proposal was ranked 7th of 44 and $200,000
were received, requiring the City to match the funds. City Council approved matching council-
manic bonds (December 2003, Ordinance 2844) to construct a permanent skateboard park at
the Monroe Street site.
ParkingPlay
Equipment
Play FieldsShelterPicnic
Tables
/Benches
Restrooms
sharedYesNoNoNoportable
Skateboard Park
Classification:
community park
Zoning:
P/OS
Maintained Acreage:
0.33 acres
Total Acreage:
0.33 acres
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 27
General Location: 1948 Blaine Street
General Description: A 9-hole, 55.87-acre public golf course is leased by the city to a pri-
vate operator. It includes a driving range and clubhouse. The clubhouse consists of a pro-shop,
restaurant and a public conference room.
History: The Golf Course Conference Center, built in 1988, was partially financed with Tran-
sient Accommodations Tax receipts. This conference center, operated by the tenant, is available
to the public by scheduling with the golf course operator. There is no charge for use by City de-
partments, officials, committees and other official uses. The City paved the apron to the parking
lot and the gravel areas around the clubhouse in 1995 as part of the lease agreement. During
1997, additional capital improvements were provided by the City including a new heat pump and
financial contribution to the clubhouse interior remodel.
Special Restrictions/Challenges: Two environmentally sensitive areas are located on the
grounds: a three-acre native prairie preserve and a four-acre (spring fed) freshwater pond and
associated wetland and buffers. The native plant preserve is a small remnant of the ancient native
prairie plants and foliage that once covered large portions of the north Olympic Peninsula. The
public has access to these areas so long as they do not interfere with or obstruct the operation
of the golf course. Since the City designated the preserve and pond as “critical areas”, no distur-
bance is allowed by the operation of the golf course or actions of others. Except for the operator’s
responsibility to remove trash, no maintenance is to be performed in these areas without the
written consent or direction of the Public Works Director. Planting of trees or tall shrubs or other
obstructions that might shade the areas from the south are not allowed. No herbicides, pesticides,
fertilizers, or irrigation are used on these areas. The reserve areas are maintained and remain
under the exclusive control of the City. The City maintains the golf course pond with the right to
design and construct mitigation and storm drainage facilities in the general area of the pond as
needed. Encroachment on the pond or its buffers is not allowed in any manner unless authorized
by the City and Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) except for trash re-
moval.
Opportunities: Proximity to Kah Tai and Mountain View Commons.
ParkingPlay
Equipment
Play FieldsShelterPicnic
Tables
/Benches
Restrooms
66Nogolf courseN/AN/AADA
Golf Course
Classification:
recreational facility
Zoning:
P/OS
Maintained Acreage:
golf course
Total Acreage:
55.87 acres
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 28
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9
Appendix B.
AAPPENDIX B. OPEN SPACE AND OTHER REGIONAL ASSETS
OPEN SPACE
OPEN SPACE PROPERTIES as illustrated on Figure 3.2.
1. FOREST CORRIDOR - A forested buffer 100 feet wide along the south side of Highway 20
from Howard Street almost to the City edge was deeded to the City to preserve the parkway
entrance to the City in 1994. Property along the north side of the highway is recommended for
similar protection in the Gateway plan.
2. HOWARD’S END WETLAND - Acquired by the City to mitigate impacts of the CT-Pipeline; the
area includes restored buffers and wildlife habitat in an urbanizing area.
3. BUSINESS PARK’S ENFIELD GARDENS - Located at the junction of Cliff Street and East Park
Avenue, Enfield Gardens is owned and maintained by the Port Townsend Business Park. This
3.8-acre park includes open green space with trees, a pond, informal trails, barbecues, and
picnic tables.This area was set aside as part of the stormwater plan.
4, 6. BISHOP PARK and HOWARD STREET WETLANDS - 3.59 acres of wooded ravine with trails
is included in the park land analysis. However while neighboring Parkside Park is under
development, Bishop Park is likely to remain primarily open space. Several parcels have been
purchased by the City in the general vicinity of Howard Street and Discovery Road and 14th and
McPherson to allow drainage to flow from a series of wetlands toward Bishop Park. These
parcels will allow for natural constructed wetland treatment, detention, and conveyance while
maintaining open space in this neighborhood.
5. KILHAM CORNER - A 15-acre working farm protected by a Jefferson Land Trust
conservation easement recorded in 1992. The property is adjacent to the Port Townsend
Business Park and several recently developed residential neighborhoods. The Kilhams wanted
to assure the land would remain intact and be reserved for agricultural uses into the future. The
conservation easement restricts further residential development, and limits the property to
agricultural use.
7. LARRY SCOTT MEMORIAL TRAIL – The City has acquired 7.07 acres of wetland, shoreline
and railroad grade that is now the trailhead for a regional multi-modal trail.
8. PORT WETLANDS – This area of freshwater wetlands at the base of a marine bluff has been
protected from further industrial development with biofiltration swales and dedicated buffer
areas.
9. HAMILTON HEIGHTS PUD- Community commons and stormwater detention areas provide
significant dedicated open space (approximately 8.5 acres, 34% of site).
10. LAUREL HEIGHTS PUD - A Planned Unit Development with 75-foot treed buffers, walking
trails, and open space.
11, 23. LAUREL GROVE, REDMAN’S AND SAINT MARY'S CATHOLIC CEMETERIES – These areas
provide open space in a developing residential area. These privately owned cemeteries in Port
Townsend with limited public access, provide a variety of landscaped and naturalized open
space. Redmen’s, Laurel Grove, and Saint Mary’s Catholic Cemeteries provide buffers
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 30
Appendix B.
between differing land uses and a variety of habitat. These sacred places function as significant
cultural resources for the community.
12. DOWNTOWN POCKET PARKS – The Urban Waterfront District contains several pocket
parks and street ends that provide access to the water and function as urban open space.
These areas are described in Section 3.2.2. Urban Pocket Parks, and are fully detailed in
Appendix A.
13. POINT HUDSON – The former Coast Guard Station, now owned by the Port of Port
Townsend, provides significant shoreline access in the Urban Waterfront District, is included in
Table 3.3. and under Port of Port Townsend assets under Other Assets in Appendix B.
14, 16, 18, 21, 27. STREET ENDS – Surrounded on three sides by high bluffs and shoreline,
several street ends remain undeveloped, providing significant views and beach access. Of
particular note are Taft, Hudson, Walnut, W and Reed Streets. These rights-of-way are not yet
clearly marked for public access. In some neighborhoods, landscaping from adjacent properties
obscures access. In addition to street ends specified on the Figure 3.2, a number of street ends
in the shoreline jurisdiction may be appropriate for shoreline access/viewpoints (per the City’s
adopted Shoreline Master Program Policy 7.3.12): these include but are not limited to:
a. South shore: Thayer, Decatur, Kearney, Gaines, Scott, Walker, Calhoun, Tyler,
Adams, Quincy, and Monroe Streets;
b. East shore: Clay, Taft, Reed, W Street;
c. North shore: Gise Street and Cook Avenue;
d. Kah Tai Lagoon: Garfield Street.
15. PORT TOWNSEND GOLF COURSE - Described in detail in Section 3 and Appendix A, the Golf
Course is a full service recreational facility. Special consideration is given to the two natural
features on the property, the pond/wetland complex and the native prairie preserve. These two
areas provide multiple open space functions and values including habitat, buffers, stormwater
and passive recreation opportunities.
17. WHITAKER WETLAND - The intersection of C and Beech Streets was excavated to provide
open space, stormwater retention and open water habitat.
19. ROSEWIND PUD - This planned unit development includes street vacations and wetland set
asides of permanent open space, trails and common ground for residents (approximately 4
acres).
20. FROGGY BOTTOMS - This three-acre piece of property was purchased by the City in 1992
with additions in 1997. It historically existed as a wetland, but had been filled over the course of
several years, prior to 1990. The City purchased the area in a contained drainage basin, with
this property as the low point. The improvements to the parcel restore the wetland and provide
stormwater treatment and detention for San Juan Avenue. The restoration provides habitat
appropriate for birds and other wildlife.
22. BLUE HERON MIDDLE SCHOOL WETLAND - Preserved and protected by the Port Townsend
School District in conjunction with the construction of new school facilities, approximately 11
acres of pasture have been restored to a natural wetland condition used for multi-disciplinary
studies by a variety of grades and classes of students. Ongoing monitoring as required in the
ESA permit include water fluctuations and viability of plant restoration.
24. LYNN(SFIELD PUD - Community commons, trails, and stormwater detention areas provide
significant dedicated open space (approximately 6 acres, 25% of the site). The LynnHsfield
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Appendix B.
detention pond combines with wetlands at Blue Heron School (#22) to provide a popular birding
area listed on the Admiralty Audubon 'Where to Find Birds' brochure.
25. NORTH BEACH DRAINAGE CORRIDOR - Drainage from Stormwater Basin #4 flows between
Hendricks and Jackman Streets along the north side of 49th Street, which is largely
undeveloped. Numerous lots have been purchased, which support keeping this area natural for
storm drainage and as a wildlife corridor. A Department of Ecology loan has been used to
purchase much of this section of the northern corridor drainage.
26. HENDRICK'S POND - This project is a neighborhood-City partnership project allowing for the
use of a street right-of-way between 30th and 31st Streets to be used as a stormwater pond.
28. LEVINSKI WETLAND - This 50 acre piece of property, located in Fowler’s Park off the corner
of 49th Street, Cook Avenue, and Hendricks Street serves multiple purposes. The Seaview
Sewer crosses the site, providing an access trail across the property. Several wetlands and a
drainage corridor are on site, including an Aspen wetland complex. The site was purchased
with wastewater and stormwater funds as a possible site for future Wastewater Treatment and
stormwater drainage needs . Vegetation is varied throughout, though the property was logged
years ago. This project began a partnership between the Jefferson Land Trust to provide an
open space corridor from Middle Point to Fort Worden. This and other City property purchases
are important elements of the North Quimper Peninsula Wildlife Corridor Protection Project
described below. In 2005 a deed of right for conservation of the 11-acre portion in the lower
southwest corner of the parcel was granted by the City in return for state funding for acquisition
of additional drainage/open space property in the vicinity.
29. WINONA WETLAND - This is a large wetland (approximately 6.5 acres) located in the
northwest area of town in the middle of Fowler’s Park. The entire area was platted back in 1890
and consists of dozens of 50 x 100 foot lots. The City has purchased most of the area,
including the buffer and major portions of the drainage corridor to the east of the Levinski
property. The Seaview Sewer encroaches into the wetland, but there are plans for rerouting it
out of the wetland. The overall area is important for wildlife and as a natural stormwater
detention area. A Department of Ecology loan has been used in purchasing much of this
section of the North Quimper Peninsula Wildlife Corridor.
30. DEERING WETLANDS - North Deering Wetland is located generally along 31st Street
between Rosecrans and Thomas Street. As part of a Lot Line Adjustment (LLA) approved in
1998, Mr. Deering dedicated 1.5 acres within Blocks 3 and 6 of the Monogram Addition to the
City for preservation in open space. Much of the land contains identified wetlands, critical
drainage corridors, and frequently flooded areas. All of Blocks 3 and 6 of the Monogram
Addition also lie within the P/OS(A) - Potential Park & Open Space overlay as defined by the
City’s Comprehensive Plan.
31. NORTH QUIMPER PENINSULA WILDLIFE CORRIDOR - The goal of the Jefferson Land Trust
North Quimper Peninsula Wildlife Corridor (NQPWC) project is preservation of a green space
wildlife corridor across the northern portion of the Quimper Peninsula. This corridor connects
important wildlife habitat areas between Fort Worden State Park and the Middlepoint Land
Conservancy on the west side of McCurdy Point. Completion of the project will provide a
protected pathway along which native wildlife species can move in relative security between the
high quality habitats of the area. Whenever possible, the corridor follows natural drainage
corridors that have higher habitat value and are important for stormwater management. Habitat
works best when it is connected to other high quality habitat. Much of the proposed corridor is
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Appendix B.
relatively wild and sparsely developed, though a number of development proposals are under
review.
Wildlife species such as bobcat, fox, small mammals, tree frogs, rough-skinned newts, and
others need continuous habitat in order to prevent isolation and species decline. With the
NQPWC, the chance exists to shape development appropriately so as to preserve the habitat
values and wildlife of the area while protecting wetlands, forests, and meadows for future
generations of wildlife and humans alike. The Land Trust efforts are creating opportunities to
preserve these biologically rich, varied habitats from fragmentation. This preservation and
connection of habitat is the goal of the NQPWC.
Portions of the corridor are already protected by conservation easements or held in public
ownership. The City of Port Townsend has purchased the 50 acre Levinski Wetland property
and portions of Winona Wetland (see below) as part of its stormwater management plan.
Chinese Gardens and Fort Worden State Park are also in state ownership. Beyond the City
limits, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources holds 80 acres of forested school
trust land located in the corridor. The Middlepoint Land Conservancy is protected by a
conservation easement with the Jefferson Land Trust.
Protection of the proposed connector lands will be through cooperative agreements with city,
county, and state agencies overseeing the public portions and through voluntary conservation
easements or donations from private landowners. The ultimate path of the corridor connecting
portions will be determined by those corridor neighbors that choose to participate through
conservation easements or land donations and through landscaping for wildlife, habitat creation,
and wetland restoration efforts.
In May 2008, The Quimper Wildlife Corridor Management Plan was adopted by the City
(Ordinance 2976). The purpose of this plan is to re-examine and refine the vision of the
Quimper Wildlife Corridor Project (QWCP) and to provide recommendations for long-term
management strategies for Jefferson Land Trust and its partners. Protection of the corridor in
cooperation with the City and the Jefferson Land Trust has significant benefits to adjacent
landowners as well as to the community as a whole. Participation in the project can:
• Enhance property values by providing adjacent open space
• Reduce the risk of flooding by maintaining the integrity of the drainage corridor
• Assist landowners in native planting and habitat restoration efforts
• Provide potential tax savings through donation of conservation easements or land
• Preserve a contiguous greenbelt of native vegetation for safe passage of wildlife species
• Preserve green space and habitat permanently for the benefit of future generations
• Protect existing habitat and water quality
• Provide interpretive signs, observation areas, and pathways in public portions of the corridor
• Maintain natural stormwater management, reducing the need for costly stormwater facilities
PUBLIC TRAILS AND PATHS: An extensive network of trails (as shown on Figure 3.6) comprising
approximately 31 linear miles and 188 acres (assuming that trails in large part occur in 50-foot
rights of way) can be found throughout the City and the network has been highlighted
throughout this Plan. A more detailed inventory and maps are available in the City of Port
Townsend’s Non-Motorized Transportation Plan, 2011 update.
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Appendix B.
OOTHER REGIONAL ASSETS
JEFFERSON COUNTY
PORT TOWNSEND COMMUNITY CENTER
Located at 620 Tyler Street, the 17,708 square foot facility sits on one city block of land. The
center offers space for dance lessons and performances for all ages and is used regularly for
public meetings. Formerly the site of the Port Townsend High School, the gymnasium, often
used by the community, needs repair. The building provides a recreation room for youth and is
used for a variety of recreational activities. The center provides space for a day care and senior
programs. There are landscaped grounds, maintained by Jefferson County, with several picnic
tables and a recently remodeled playground.
COUNTY COURT HOUSE PARK
A 1-acre park spans a city block seaward of the County Court House. It consists of an informal
playfield, one tennis court and a new basketball court built with private donations. The location
offers stunning views of Port Townsend Bay and the Olympic Mountains.
MEMORIAL FIELD
The 4.9-acre historic athletic facility has bleachers, restrooms and the only lighted playfields in
Jefferson County. The facility is used for school league soccer, football, softball and baseball as
well as special events. It is located in the heart of downtown at the intersection of Madison and
Washington Streets.
NORTH BEACH PARK
This 1-acre waterfront park is one of the few public access beaches on the north end of the
Quimper Peninsula. It is a popular summer gathering place for wading and lounging and year-
round for beachcombing, walking and birding. It is on the Great Washington State Birding Trail
Olympic Loop. The park adjoins Fort Worden State Park and is located at the intersection of
Kuhn and 58th Streets. In addition to the beach access, the park includes a grass area,
restrooms, a picnic shelter and parking.
JEFFERSON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
The fairgrounds complex encompasses 32 acres at the intersection of Landes and 49th Streets
and includes sport fields, camp grounds, multi-use buildings, a very large meeting room with a
stage and commercial kitchen facilities, barns, a go cart track, restrooms, grandstands and large
grass areas.The Port Townsend Little League constructed three softball fields at the
fairgrounds.This facility has buildings used regularly for theater and music productions. The
complex is managed by the Jefferson County Fair Board Association.
STATE OF WASHINGTON
FORT WORDEN STATE PARK
The 433.5 acre Fort Worden, built at the turn of the last century, originally functioned as a
military complex. The park grounds include the fort complex and parade grounds, over two
miles of beautiful beach on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, trails through forests to labyrinths in the
gun batteries, a pier and boat launch, moorage facilities, many scenic picnic sites and numerous
full-service campsites. Fort Worden is a prime birding location and is on the Great Washington
State Birding Trail Olympic Loop.
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Designated a National Historic District and a National Historic Landmark, the Washington State
Parks and Recreation Commission restored the facilities for recreational and educational use as
a conference center for arts, business, and family groups. Thirty-three units of housing, most in
renovated officers quarters, are available for conferences and vacation rentals. Fort Worden
offers various types of overnight accommodations, numerous meeting and class rooms, and a
theater. In 1988, the City secured sufficient leasehold from Washington State Parks to qualify
for an FHA loan toward the renovation of the historic military blimp hangar into a performing arts
pavilion. Ribbon-cutting for the McCurdy Pavilion occurred in August, 1990. More recently, the
cafeteria was replaced with a $10 million dollar commons building with multipurpose dining
rooms and a state of the art kitchen that provides on-site dining as well as catering.
Both Goddard College and Peninsula College offer classes at Fort Worden. The park houses
several for-profit and not-for-profit agencies in its campus-like setting including Madrona
MindBody Institute which operates in the historic gymnasium and offers workshops, retreats,
massage, and classes in yoga, Soul Motion, Nia, and meditation. Centrum, in partnership with
Fort Worden State Park, offers many leisure activities to the community since it functions as a
gathering place for artists and creative thinkers from around the world, students of all ages and
backgrounds, and audiences seeking extraordinary cultural enrichment. The marine-life touch-
tanks and exhibits at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center add to the park’s interpretive
experiences. The science center offers summer camp sessions, conducts informative programs,
and educational beach walks. The Olympic Rhododendron Society planted the demonstration
garden in 1989 for the State Centennial celebration. The park also houses the Commanding
Officer’s House Museum and the Coast Artillery Museum.
The State and the Fort Worden Public Development Authority signed a joint agreement in 2013
to establish a viable partnership for the future development of Fort Worden State Park.
PORT TOWNSEND SCHOOL DISTRICT
GRANT STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The Grant Street Elementary Campus (1637 Grant Street) houses a small gym, playground
equipment and an informal play field. In 1994, new play equipment and surfacing were installed
at Mountain View and Grant Street.
BLUE HERON MIDDLE SCHOOL
The Blue Heron Middle School Campus (3939 San Juan Avenue) includes a full-size gym with
bleachers, lockers, and shower rooms, all weather track, football field, softball/baseball field and
soccer field. There is an irrigation system and an electronic scoreboard. Built in 1995, the long-
range plans for the track and field are to add lighting and bleachers so the high school can use
the field for games. Blue Heron contains a public meeting space to be made available for
community use. It offers a public address system, theater-style lighting, and a room for food
service. OlyCAP Gleaners' organization planted a fruit tree orchard on the grounds in 2012. See
Blue Heron's wetland contribution in Open Space, above.
PORT TOWNSEND HIGH SCHOOL
The Port Townsend High School Campus (1500 Van Ness Street) includes a regulation-size
gym, all weather track, football field, softball/baseball field and soccer field. In 1983-84,
extensive improvements were made by adding a warm-up gym and replacing the gym floor. In
1994, the high school added dugouts and reconditioned a regulation-size baseball field and a
minor league practice field and constructed four tennis courts. In years past, the gym has been
open for adult league sports. The citizens of Port Townsend and Jefferson County make use of
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Appendix B.
the Port Townsend High School auditorium for social, dramatic and musical events several
times a year. Food Bank volunteers maintain a community garden on the school property.
MOUNTAIN VIEW COMMONS
Constructed originally as a junior high school and subsequently used as an elementary school,
The Commons are located at 1925 Blaine Street. The property is leased by the City from the
Port Townsend School District. The current 5 year lease expires in 2014 but negotiations begun
in 2013 are intended to establish a 30-year lease with a 15-year extension. The facility houses
the Port Townsend Police Department and a variety of community organizations including the
YMCA, Community Radio, Port Townsend Food Bank, the Red Cross and Working Image. The
facility includes office space, community meeting space, a gym, grass lawn area, a playground,
play fields, outdoor basketball court and the Recyclery, a nonprofit that promotes bicycle use.
The Port Townsend Public Library moved temporarily into space at the Commons while their
Carnegie building was FEMA retrofitted in 2012-13.
Mountain View Pool is an indoor swimming pool used by City and County residents, the school,
and the Port Townsend Swim Team, all under the management of the City’s Parks and
Recreation Division. The facility consists of male and female locker rooms, restrooms, a sauna
and a public viewing area. The pool was originally built by the Port Townsend School District as
an outdoor pool in 1963. Over the years it has been managed by the Port Townsend School
District and then Jefferson County; currently, the City of Port Townsend funds and manages it.
Improvements to the pool’s heating system and shower rooms were made in 1984. In early
1995, the tile in the pool and the gutters around the pool were replaced. The area around the
pool was repainted and the decking outside was painted. A filtration system was added and the
chlorination system was upgraded. A pH balance system was installed. These improvements
were made by the school district using the district building bond for funding. The City also made
various additional improvements to the pool including construction of a small sauna.
In 2013, the City redirected funds from other projects in order to make emergency repairs to the
pool, including a new liner and deck surfacing. The County allocated Public Infrastructure Funds
to the City for other qualified projects to recover the shortfall.
PORT OF PORT TOWNSEND
BOAT HAVEN
The Boat Haven, owned by the Port of Port Townsend, provides moorage and haul-outs for
boats, ship building and repair, and an extensive system of docks for boat access. The south
end of the Boat Haven provides community access to the Larry Scott Trail. City-owned rights of
way including parts of the former railroad right of way along Jefferson Street in the Boat Haven
were transferred from City to Port ownership in 2013 as a part of the land swap agreement that
placed former Port land in Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park into City ownership and under LWCF
6(f)(3) protections.
POINT HUDSON
Originally built as a Coast Guard Training Center, Point Hudson is now owned by the Port of
Port Townsend. This facility has a number of amenities in a unique historic setting, including 59
RV sites. Point Hudson provides moorage and a boat launch facility for small craft. In 2010,
after an extensive renovation, the marina now sports attractive and safe walking docks and
access to view points and beaches fronting on Port Townsend Bay and Admiralty Inlet. The City
supported development of Point Hudson, in conjunction with the proposed Maritime Heritage
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Appendix B.
Center as a component of the Point Hudson Master Plan that was completed in the mid 1990’s.
Point Hudson Marina is the site of the largest annual festival in Port Townsend - the Wooden
Boat Festival. Point Hudson is a popular birding area for residents and visitors.
UNION WHARF
Union Wharf is located on the south end of Taylor Street. In 1990s, it was the last of the historic
waterfront docks remaining in Puget Sound. In 1981, the facility collapsed and remained unused
until its reconstruction in 1996 and 1997 with the help of matching grant funds from the
Washington State Interagency Commission for Outdoor Recreation (IAC). A decision to
decrease the dock’s width and length improved the health of eelgrass beds below. The new
dock features a timber-framed, open-air structure that echoes old warehouse facades. Display
panels describe historical and environmental topics. A floating dock, built to accommodate
larger vessels, makes the wharf accessible to commercial and transient boaters. Union Wharf
was transferred from City to Port ownership in 2013 as a part of the land swap agreement that
placed former Port land in Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park into City ownership and under LWCF
6(f)(3) protections.
CITY DOCK
City Dock is located across from City Hall. It is adacent to the Pope Marine Building and Park. In
1993, the original City Dock was torn down and replaced with 50% of the funding coming from a
Washington State Interagency Commission for Outdoor Recreation (IAC) grant. The new
structure features a floating dock and is used by visitors and citizens for temporary boat
moorage. City Dock was transferred from City to Port ownership in 2013 as a part of the land
swap agreement that placed former Port land in Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park into City
ownership and under LWCF 6(f)(3) protections.
AREAS CROSSING CATEGORIES
Cross-Categorical Area assets generally serve a variety of purposes and populations within the
town. They augment recreational programs and expand the possibilities for healthful and leisure
activities, but they are not necessarily owned by the City or under the control or management of
the Parks Division. Sometimes they are shared with other agencies but do not fall into an
existing or traditional designation in past functional plans. Some facilities in this designation are
the current responsibilities of the Parks Division, but they do not meet the definitions of parks
and open space, so fail to be listed in the preceding inventory. Most of the facilities listed below
contribute to the goals and policies in this Functional Plan but are not considered in setting
levels of service, but it would be a loss to the community if they were to disappear, become
unsightly, or present a danger. Their very ambiguity and resistance to simple categorization
make them easy to overlook and belie their importance to our community’s physical, mental and
emotional well-being.
VIEW POINTS
Street ends are described in the Open Space category earlier in Appendix B. These view points
offer some of the smallest but most spectacular of the community’s assets: streets that
terminate at high points along the bluff or at water's edge, with views of Port Townsend Bay,
Puget Sound or the Strait. View points are ideal spaces for park benches where people can
pause and rest. Examples include:
• Clay Street view point
• Van Buren Street view point
• Kah Tai Lagoon next to the Life Care Center
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Appendix B.
AQUATIC ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES
Many acres of fresh and brackish water, our seashores, and a community pool (highlighted in
Section 3.1.3.) fall into this category. In our community, water is a constant. Activities are not
necessarily centered in any one place but are found indoors and outdoors, in natural places,
during spring flooding, at sea shores, and under piers and docks.
We take for granted that our lives revolve around the water. We play, wade and swim; we
harvest food and treasure hunt; we study other species in their water environment; we boat and
walk for miles along beaches; we spend hours birding along the coast. We use our community
pool for recreation and sports, for water therapy, and to teach children to swim. Festivals, races,
and regattas bring thousands of visitors to town. Many here speak the language of sailing and
understand the tools and talents of shipwrights. We’ve become increasingly aware of the
functions of aquatic lands and have chosen to approve substantial investments through several
agencies to maintain access to and protection of aquatic lands, shorelines and facilities. Fresh
and marine water bodies and shorelines are finite natural resources and an irreplaceable public
heritage.
In 2013, our School District began a Maritime Discovery place-based education initiative. The
effort will systematically focus learning by using the resources unique to our community to
enrich classroom learning by providing real-world examples and lessons for all disciplinary
fields.
For citizens of all ages, interactions with our aquatic environment may include:
Activities
• Education
• Swimming
• Fishing, shellfishing
• Scuba diving
• Boat races, regattas, festivals
• Pool-oriented sports programs
• Pool-recreation programs
• Birding
Facilities
• Port with two marinas devoted to the world of boats and water
• Mountain View Pool
• Point Hudson and Boat Haven docks and bulwarks
• City Dock and Union Wharf
• Maritime Center public walk way ( a $1M City purchase)
• Ponds, wetlands, and lagoons
Boat Launches
• Monroe Street
• Point Hudson
• Boat Haven
• Fort Worden
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Appendix B.
Beach Access Points
• Cal’s Beach
• Indian Point
• Bench and access behind Columbia Bank
• Water walkway from Indian Point around to Chetzemoka beach front
• North Beach
• Fort Worden
CREATED LANDSCAPES
Although the City has developed significant numbers of created landscapes, maintenance of
these features is often undefined. Some maintenance is contracted out, some is done by willing
volunteers, and some is left to chance. These areas need to be included in an inventory with
acreage and descriptions of amenities (benches, drinking fountains, bathrooms, etc.).
Landscaped areas require regular staff time, tools, irrigation, and money even though they have
not been identified as part of the community’s vision for its parks and open spaces.
• City Hall grounds
• Downtown rain gardens
• Median strips and roadside landscapes
• Pink House/Library
Acreage scattered through the town provides the qualities of open space in developing
residential areas. Included here are privately owned cemeteries, community gardens, and
commercial farms with limited public access, some of which are described in the Open Space
section above. They provide a variety of landscaped and naturalized open spaces. Some
provide buffers between differing land uses and a variety of habitat. Some are sacred places
and function as significant cultural resources for the community.
• Laurel Grove, Redmen’s and Saint Mary’s Catholic Cemeteries
• Seed Dreams garden
• Corona Farm
• Collinwood Farm
• Community gardens
SEPA MITIGATED AREAS
Where legally permissible, the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) allows the City to mitigate
any significant impacts in an area proposed for development pursuant to its subdivision and
critical areas statutes. Such mitigation can either require or incentivize the dedication of land for
parks, recreation and open space facilities, trails, buffers and other uses. The fact that such
mitigation arises through a lengthy and thoughtful process gives weight to the need for and
importance of the establishment and protection of the mandated mitigation. The requirements of
open space establishment, trail construction, stormwater retention, drainage corridor, wetland,
and plant and animal habitat protection in new developments contribute to the health and well-
being of the entire community.
Often these SEPA requirements provide small areas of beautification, open vistas, trees and
wildlife protection that community members throughout the city may benefit from and enjoy. As
time passes and institutional memory fades, a real danger exists from the degradation of and
encroachment upon these refuges with trails threatened by blackberry brambles and/or fallen
logs; water features drained or choked with invasive plantings; open spaces reverting to patches
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Appendix B.
of noxious weeds. Often the loss of a mitigated impact means the adverse effect has not been
dealt with but only postponed.
Currently, no inventory of SEPA mitigation areas exists so that they might be occasionally
monitored and their continued existence ensured. Many of these sites would be sorely missed,
if not by everyone, at least by those who live nearby: neighbors, children, Pileated
Woodpeckers, and Leopard Frogs, to name a few. The Open Space Inventory, Figure 3.2.,
includes the larger open space areas set aside as part of the Planned Unit Development/SEPA
processes (e.g., #3, 8, 17 listed above). Smaller open space areas also exist (e.g., The
Treehouse Planned Unit Development: stormwater retention and 10-foot trail easementacross
from Fort Worden).
PUBLIC ART/MEMORIALS/AREAS OF LOCAL INTEREST
Some of the following are formally recognized by the City on the public art roster while others
are locally celebrated art features:
• Haller Fountain: Historic statue of Venus Rising from the Sea or Galetea was dedicated in
1906. Volunteer contributions made possible the replica by River Dog Fine Arts Foundry,
with Mark Stevenson in the lead, that replaced the deteriorating original in 1993. It
continues to be one of the most admired public art works in Port Townsend. Galatea
inspires photos and paintings, and is an iconic image in brochures and program guides.
More information about the history can be found in Appendix A.
• Steve Corra Memorial: In 2010, a memorial was created for Steve Corra, longtime City
Parks Division employee. Friends of Steve Corra, who have adopted the Haller
Fountain/Terrace Steps Park, designed a plaque crafted by Mark Sabella with materials
donated by Edensaw Woods and others. It stands at the midpoint landing on the Terrace
Steps.
• Salish Sea: A bronze circle by sculptor Gerard Tsutakawa, was commissioned by the City
Arts Commission for $70,000 and installed near the Cotton Building in 2011 as part of the
Madison Street Streetscape Project. It is a part of Port Townsend's "one percent for art".
• Seal Bench: Created by artist Mike Ryan of Port Hadlock, the sculpture, carved from a
driftwood log, rests at the edge of Port Townsend Bay in Pope Marine Park.
• Chetzemoka Statue: In the summer of 1996, a bronze statue of Chief Chetzemoka by
sculptor Dick Brown was set on top of a sentinel rock which overlooks the Port Townsend
Golf Course. The statue honors Chetzemoka who, legend has it, helped the white settlers
avert an attack from the local Indians by giving signals from the top of the rock.
• Ruth M. Jackson Bequest: Designed through a competitive process under the direction of
the Washington State Arts Commission, the bequest required a sculpture be erected that
could be viewed from the water. Also known as the Tidal Clock and Wave Viewing
Gallery, the sculpture was completed in 1987. The City constructed the sculpture in the
street right of way along the waterfront overlooking Port Townsend Bay. The sand beds
with native beach grasses and beach peas were planted by volunteers. On March 2,
2009, City Council voted to formally remove the sculpture and its surrounding landscape
area from the public art roster to make way for the Waterfront Streetscape Revitalization
Project. In 2010, the foundation of the wave viewing gallery was replaced, and in 2012 the
“Tidal Clock” was removed and replaced with an amphitheater.
• Kah Tai Community Tiles: Designed by kids and adults in the community in a project led
by artist Yvonne Pepin in 1985, the tiles represent the creatures and natural features that
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Appendix B.
surround the Lagoon Nature Park. They are installed on the restroom wall near the park
entrance. Interpretive posters are also installed around the exterior walls of the restroom.
• Rhody Royalty Sidewalk: Continuing a tradition that began in 1960, each spring the
designated royalty for the Rhododendron Festival placed their hand prints and names in
fresh cement in the sidewalk on Water Street. In recent years, due to safety concerns and
wheelchair needs, the hand prints have been imprinted in moveable concrete blocks. The
ultimate location for this display has yet to be determined.
• Memory’s Vault: Dedicated in 1988 at Fort Worden State Park near Battery Randol is a
memorial walkway installation by sculptor Richard Turner, featuring the poetry of Sam
Hamill. The installation by the Washington State Arts Commission marks an important
place in state history.
• Leafwing: Sculpture by Russell Jaqua sited along the Larry Scott Trail. Also by Russell
Jaqua is the railing on the stairs in the lobby at City Hall.
• Milestones: Stream of Consciousness: A work created as the “one percent for art” for the
F Street upgrade. The sculptures created by Sara Johani were placed at four different
locations along F Street. Each piece represents historical milestones: Native and natural
aspects of Port Townsend history, Victorian Seaport historic moments, Chinese history in
town, and present times. The shapes are suggestive of stylized mountains, valleys and
rivers. Each portrays a "moment" in the wayside, a reminder of intentionality.
• Two Cats from Clinton: Two bronze cats by Georgia Gerber recline on outdoor seating at
Port Townsend Public Library.
• Weather Vane: An iconic Great Blue Heron sculpture by Russell Jaqua perches atop the
bus shelter at Jefferson Transit Park and Ride
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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Appendix C.
APPENDIX C: PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
Open and ongoing public involvement was, and continues to be, an important aspect of the
development of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan. Measuring and
monitoring the public needs, perceptions and satisfaction levels is a crucial part of developing
goals to serve parks and recreation needs of the community. Throughout the process there were
several methods used to obtain public comment.
PUBLIC SURVEY
A community survey was developed in the spring of 2010 to be distributed to a random sample
of households. The draft survey was reviewed by Parks Staff, City Council, City Manager,
Public Works Director and the Parks, Recreation and Trees Advisory Board.
In May of 2010, the final document was distributed (direct mailed) to a random sampling of
2250 households through the city utility bills. A month later a reminder to complete the survey
was included in the utility bill newsletter. The goal was to collect 500 completed surveys. The
goal was accomplished with 562 completed surveys returned. Based on the current population of
9,113 our data collected should yield 99% confidence that it is an accurate representation of the
entire population with an error level of +/-5%.
The respondents were asked to consider their entire household when completing the survey. Out
of the 562 households that participated in the survey, there were 585 seniors (60+), 447 adults
(18-59), 68 teens (13-17) and 149 youth (0-12) represented. The average age of the individual
completing the survey for their household was 58.5 and the median age was 59. Women made
up 65.8% of the respondents and men made up the other 34.2%. The different geographical
areas of the city were well represented with 42.2% of the respondents residing on the east side
(east of San Juan Ave.) and 52.3% of the respondents living on the west side (west of San Juan
Ave). 5.5% of the survey respondents were not clear of what geographic category they reside in.
Key Findings:
The survey respondents place a high value on parks & recreation services.
• 94.5% of respondents stated that parks & recreation services are important to the quality
of life in Port Townsend. (Q:5)
• 94.5% of the respondents stated that it is either important or very important that every
household has reasonable access to parks/open space. (Q:16)
• 80.9% of the respondents would support some sort of dedicated tax increase to fund
improvements or expansion of the parks & recreation system. (Q:21)
I primarily depend on parks & open space to provide: (Q:6)
1. 87% A quiet place to relax, picnic or walk
2. 82% A place to hike and enjoy nature
3. 82% Preserve green space for future generations
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Appendix C.
4. 78% Habitat for wildlife
5. 67% A place for children to play
6. 65% A physical break between urban development
7. 51% A place to gather for family events
8. 40% A place to ride my bicycle
9. 39% A place to play with or walk my dog
10. 27% A place to play organized sports
Please indicate the importance/need for additional park amenities. What would you like to
see added? The ranked percentages below indicate the combination of respondents
indicating either a yes or a strong yes. (Q:10)
1. 86% Nature paths/trails
2. 77% Wildlife corridors
3. 59% Open grass areas
4. 58% Picnic tables
5. 54% Play structures (play structures)
6. 52% Picnic Shelters
7. 45% Special needs accessible play structures
8. 42% Off leash dog area
9. 37% Paved (multi-use) trails
10. 36% Sport fields
11. 30% Boat launch
12. 26% Basketball courts
13. 26% Water Features (spray park area)
14. 18% Bocce ball court
15. 16% Tennis/Pickle ball court
Out of list of possible additional park amenities, please rank your top five. (Q:11)
1. 77% Nature paths/trails
2. 60% Wildlife corridors
3. 47% Open grass areas
4. 37% Picnic tables
5. 35% Play structures (playgrounds)
6. 33% Picnic Shelters
7. 33% Off leash dog areas
8. 29% Paved (multi-use) trails
9. 21% Special needs accessible playgrounds
10. 16% Sport fields
11. 16% Boat launch
12. 15% Water features (spray park area)
13. 10% Bocce ball court
14. 9% Basketball court
15. 8% Tennis/Pickle ball court
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Appendix C.
The most used city park facilities are ranked below based on the answers to:
Approximately how many times during the past year have you or someone in your
household visited each of the following park facilities? (Q:15)
1. Nature paths/trails
2. Terrace Steps/Haller Fountain
3. Chetzemoka Park
4. Kah Tai Nature Park
5. Mountain View Pool
6. Sather Park
7. Pope Marine Park
8. City Dock
9. Union Wharf
10. Port Townsend Golf Course
11. Chetzemoka Dog Park
12. Pope Marine Building
13. Adams Street Park
14. Bobby McGarraugh Park
15. Rotary Park
Rank this list of suggested park improvements in order of priority? (Q:17)
1. Connect parks with widened, multi-use (possibly paved) trails with green space, benches
and amenities along the sides (linear parks)
2. Replace or add play equipment for children
3. Replace the restroom facility at Chetzemoka Park
4. Replace the kitchen & picnic shelter at Chetzemoka Park
Rank this list of suggested park improvements in order of priority? (Q:19)
1. Enhance some trails (widen, possibly pave and install amenities) to create linear parks to
connect existing park/open space areas.
2. Develop a park on the west side of the city similar in size to Chetzemoka Park (5-10
acres)
3. Acquire land, but do not develop or make improvements
4. Develop an off leash dog park with space for large and small dogs
Sandwiched between Chetzemoka Park & Chetzemoka Dog Park sits the Golden Age Club.
Formerly part of the coastal defense system and a recreation facility for senior citizens, the
building has deteriorated to the point that it is no longer safe for use. If the city was to
remove the building, what would you like to see the land used for? (Q:18) Ranked
suggested options are below:
1. 34% Use the land for open grass area
2. 24% Use the land to expand the Chetzemoka Dog Park
3. 20% Replace it with a new building for the public
4. 12% Use the land for additional parking for Chetzemoka Park
5. 11% Other: Most popular suggestions – traditional long house, picnic shelter,
community garden or bocce ball court
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Appendix C.
Which of the following recreational activities did you, or someone in your household,
participate in within the last year? (Q:20)
1. 97% Hiking or Walking
2. 79% Wildlife Observations
3. 72% Picnicking
4. 64% Bicycling
5. 40% Swimming
6. 35% Canoeing/Kayaking
7. 14% Golf
8. 13% Tennis/Pickle Ball
9. 12% Soccer
10. 8% Skateboarding
11. 6% Bocce Ball
12. 6% Softball
13. 4% Baseball
The city contracts with the YMCA to manage the city community recreation program.
Which statement best matches your thoughts? (Q:7)
1. 46.5% I do not have an opinion
2. 28.3% The YMCA does a good job of providing a variety of quality programs that meet
the needs of the citizens.
3. 15.1% The YMCA does a good job of providing youth activities, but needs to offer more
for other age groups.
4. 10.1% The city could do a better job managing the community recreation programs.
Whether or not the city continues to contract recreation services with the YMCA, what
types of recreation programs should be provided? The ranked percentages below indicate
the combination of respondents indicating either a yes or a strong yes. (Q:8)
1. 87% After school youth programs
2. 83% Teen programs
3. 74% Youth day camps
4. 71% Youth/Teen enrichment classes
5. 65% Youth sport leagues
6. 62% Senior programs
7. 53% Adult enrichment classes
8. 47% Outdoor adventure
9. 38% Adult sport leagues
Of the list of possible recreation programs listed in the previous question, which three
would you, or someone in your household, most likely take advantage of if offered? The
ranked list below. (Q:9)
1. Adult enrichment classes
2. Senior programs
3. Outdoor adventure
4. Adult sport leagues
5. Youth sport leagues
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Appendix C.
6. Youth/Teen enrichment classes
7. After school youth programs
8. Youth day camps
9. Teen programs
65.6% of the survey respondents indicated that they, or someone in their household, had
used the Mountain View Pool during the past year. (Q: 12) The most popular pool
programs used by the respondents or household members are ranked below (Q:13):
1. Lap swim
2. Aqua fitness classes
3. Swim lessons
4. Rec/Open swim
Those who indicated that no one in their household frequently uses the pool, the reasons
for not taking advantage of this service are ranked below (Q:14):
1. Other: The most popular “Other” responses were: don’t like chlorine and water too cold
2. Run down facility
3. Doesn’t fit my schedule
4. Don’t swim
5. Poor publicity
6. Program offerings do not match my interests
7. Fees too high
8. Poor customer service
9. Staff not professional
10. Location of the pool (live too far away)
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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City of Port Townsend
Parks & Recreation -Community Survey
(Please consider your entire household when answering)
INTRODUCTION: The citizens of Port Townsend have opportunitiesthis yearto direct the goals of city
government relative to parks & recreation through the development of the new Parks, Recreation & Open Space
Functional Plan. The first opportunity will be the completion of the Parks & Recreation Community Survey
(below), followed by public meetings in June and again in the fall. This survey was sent to a random sampling of
city households. Please take a few minutes to complete and return it to us. Your participation and crucial
feedback will be used to develop the plan that will ultimately guide the improvement and expansion of parks &
recreation services for the next five years.Few things measure and define the quality of life of a community as
directly as access to parks, open space and recreation opportunities.
Survey also available online at: www.surveymonkey.com/s/ptparks
___________________________________________________________________________
1.)Including yourself, how many people in each age category live in your household?
(Place a number next to each item)
a. Children (age 0-12) ____
b. Teenagers (age 13-17) ____
c. Adults (age 18+) ____
d. Seniors (age 60+) ____
2.)What year were you born? _____
3.)What is your sex? (Circle One) Male Female
4.)What part of town do you live in? (Circle One)
a. EAST (East of San Juan)
b. NW (North of Hastings & West of San Juan)
c. SW (South of Hastings & West of San Juan)
5.)Which ONE of the following three statements represents the closest to the way you feel about parks &
recreation services in Port Townsend? (Circle One)
a. Members of my household use parks or participate in recreation programs on a regular basis, and I believe
that these services are important to quality of life.
b. Although members of my household do not use parks or participate in recreation programs frequently, I
believe that these services are important to quality of life.
c. Parks and recreation programs do not currently play an important role in my household.
6.)I primarily depend on parks &open space to provide:(Circle all that apply)
a. Habitat for wildlife g. A place for children to play
b. A quiet place to relax, picnic or walk h. A physical break between urban development
c. A place to play organized sports i. A place to hike and enjoy nature
d. A place to play with or walk my dog j.A place to ride my bicycle
e. A place to gather for family events k. Nothing – I don’t use the park system
f. Preserve green space for future generationsl.Other _______________________
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7.)The city contracts with Jefferson County YMCA to manage the city community recreation program.
Which statement below best matches your thoughts?(Circle One)
a. The YMCA does a good job of providing a variety of quality programs that meet the needs of the citizens.
b. The city could do a better job managing the community recreation programs
c. The YMCA does a good job providing youth activities, but needs to offer more for other age groups
d. I do not have an opinion
8.)Whether or not the city continues to contract recreation services with the YMCA, what types of recreation
programs should be provided? (Rate each on a scale of 1-5) 5=Strong Yes, 3=Neutral, 1=Strong No
a. Youth day camps ____ f. Adult enrichment classes ____
b. After school youth programs ____ g. Youth sport leagues ____
c. Teen programs ____ h. Adult sport leagues ____
d. Senior programs ____ i. Youth/Teen enrichment classes ____
e. Outdoor Adventure ____ j. Other___________________ ____
9.)Of the list of possible recreation programs listed in the previous question, which three would you, or
someone in your household,most likely take advantage of if offered? ____ ____ ____
10.)Please indicate the importance/need for additional park amenities. What would you like to see added?
(Rate each on a scale of 1-5) 5=Strong Yes, 3=Neutral, 1=Strong No
a. Open grass areas ____ i. Off leash dog areas ____
b. Picnic table ____ j. Basketball courts ____
c. Picnic shelters ____ k. Nature paths/trails ____
d. Tennis/Pickle ball court ____ l. Wildlife corridors ____
e. Play structures (playgrounds) ____ m. Water features (spray park area) ____
f. Bocce ball court ____ n. Sport fields ____
g. Paved (multi-use trails) ____ o. Boat Launch ____
h. Special needsassessable playground ____ p. Other ____________________ ____
11.)Of the list of possible park amenities in the previous question, please rank your top five?(Please rank 1-5)
1. ____
2. ____
3. ____
4. ____
5. ____
12.) The city manages the Mountain View Pool. Have you, or someone in your household, used this facility in
the past year?(Circle One)
a. Yes
b. No
13.) If you answered yes to the previous question, how often do you participate in each of the followingeach
month?(Place a number next to each item)
a. Lap swim ____ e. Swim club ____
b. Rec/openswim ____ f. Swim team ____
c. Swim lessons ____ g. Private pool rental ____
d. Fitness class ____ h. Other ____
14.) If you DON’T frequently visit the city pool, what is keeping you from taking advantage of this service?
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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(Circle all the apply)
a. Don’t swim f. Staff not professional
b. Run down facility g. Program offerings do not match my interests
c. Poor customer service h. Location of the pool (live too far away)
d. Doesn’t fit my schedule i. Poor publicity (didn’t know it was open to public)
e. Fees too high j. Other__________________________________
15.)Approximately how many times during the past year have you, or someone in your household, visited
each of the following city park facilities? (Place a number next to each item)
a. Chetzemoka Park ____ j. Adams St. Park ____
b. Chetzemoka Dog Park ____ k. Port Townsend Golf Course ____
c. Bishop Park ____ l. Sather Park ____
d. Pope Marine Park ____ m. 35th Street Park ____
e. Mountain View Pool ____ n. Pope Marine Building ____
f. Bobby McGarraugh Park ____ o. City Dock ____
g. Rotary Park ____ p. Terrace Steps/Haller Fountain ____
h. Union Wharf ____ q. Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park ____
i. Misc. Nature Trails ____ r. Other______________________ ____
16.)How important is it that every household has reasonable access to a park/open space? (Circle one)
a. Very Important
b. Important
c. Neutral/Not Sure
d. Unimportant
e. Very Unimportant
17.)What improvements would you like to see at our current park facilities? (Please rank 1-5)
(Place a number next to each item)
a. Replace the restroom facilitiesat Chetzemoka & Bobby McGarraugh Parks ____
b. Replace the kitchen shelter & picnic shelter at Chetzemoka Park ____
c. Connect parks with widened, multiuse (possibly paved)trails with ____
green space, benches and other amenities along the sides (linear parks)
d. Replace or add play equipment for children ____
e. Other___________________________________________ ____
18.)Sandwiched between Chetzemoka Park & Chetzemoka Dog Park sits the Golden Age Club. Formerly
part of the coastal defense system and a recreation facility for senior citizens, the building has
deteriorated to the point that it is no longer safe for use. If the city was to remove the building what
would you like to see the land used for?
(Circle one)
a. Use the land for additional parking for Chetzemoka Park
b. Use the land to expand Chetzemoka Dog Park
c. Usethe land for open grass area
d. Replaceit with a new building for the public
e. Other __________________________________________
19.)Of the list of possible park system additions below, which would you most like to see? (Please rank 1-5)
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
Page 49
(Place a number next to each item)
a. ____ Develop a park on the west side of town similar in size to Chetzemoka Park (5-10 acres)
b. ____ Enhance some trails (widen, possibly pave and install amenities) to create linear parks to connect
existing park/open space areas.
c. ____ Develop an off leash dog park with space for large & small dogs
d. ____ Acquire land, but do not develop or make improvements (additional natural green space)
e. ____ Other _______________________________________________
20.)Which of the following recreational activities did you, or someone in your household, participate in within
the last year?(Mark all that apply)
a. Hiking or Walking ____ h. Golf ____
b. Bicycling ____ i. Swimming ____
c. Picnicking ____ j. Canoeing/Kayaking ____
d. Wildlife Observation ____ k. Softball ____
e. Tennis/Pickle Ball ____ l. Baseball ____
f. Bocce Ball ____ m. Soccer ____
g. Other____________ ____ n. Skateboarding ____
21.)Which ofthe following funding options would you support in order to improve/expand the city parks&
recreation system? (Circleall that apply)
a. 3% additional utility tax (dedicated to parks funding)
b. .1% additional sales tax (dedicated to parks funding)
c. Creation of a metropolitan parks district (new taxing district)
d. Property tax levy of $.25 per 1,000 valuation of home ($87.50 on a $350,000 home)
e. Property tax levy of $.10 per 1,000 valuation of home ($35 on a $350,000 home)
f. None – Continue current funding level
22.)Any additional comments or suggestions:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
I greatly appreciate the time you have given to complete this survey. The results will be utilized for future
decisions regarding park & recreation facilities and programs. Please return the survey with your utility
payment or (by June 1) to:
Parks & Recreation Manager OR Complete the survey online at:
1925 Blaine St. Suite 108 www.surveymonkey.com/s/ptparks
Port Townsend, WA 98368
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Page 50
Youth Programs and Services in Port Townsend:
Opinion SurveyResults
Prepared by:
Satya Santi and Abby Danner
The City of Port Townsend
Development Services Department
250 Madison Street Suite 3
Port Townsend, WA
360.379.5095
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FINAL: November 16, 20102
Table of Contents
Purpose………………………………………………………………..3
Methodology…………………………...……………………………..3
Results…………………………………………...……………………4
Basic Results –Grade, Gender and School……………………………...4
Which activities do youth tend to participate in and how frequently?......6
What are the barriers to participation, according to our youth?................8
Where do youth spend their time?...........................................................10
When should programs and services be offered?....................................11
Are an adequate number of programs being offered?.............................12
What other programs and services should be offered?............................13
What other activities did youth suggest?.................................................14
How can we best inform youth of available programs and services?......15
Any other comments or suggestions?......................................................15
Appendix A: Results by Gender………………...…………………….16
Appendix B: Results by Grade…………………...……………………22
Appendix C: Full Text of Survey……………………………………….52
Appendix D: Full Text of Final Comments…………………..……….58
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FINAL: November 16, 20103
Purpose:
The City of Port Townsend’s goal was to conduct a statistically valid survey of youth on
the topic of public recreational facilities and programs. The survey was intended to
assess awareness of existing recreational facilities and programs and to determine
potential areas for growth.
Methodology:
1)Existing planning documents and relevant reports and studies were reviewed
(including but not limited to the City’s Parks and Open Space Plan, How to
Conduct Surveys: A Step by Step Guide by Dr. Fink, and a community youth
survey conducted by Oak Bay). This review provided background information on
recreational planning for youth. Dr. Fink’s book provided insight on research
methods for designing and conducting a statistically valid survey (including the
pros and cons of the basic types of survey questions, sample size and limitations
on youth surveys).Based on an estimated student population of 1,100, taken from
numbers on the Washington State Superintendent’s website, a minimum sample
size of 290 students was determined to be statistically validwith a 5% margin of
error and 95% confidence. 442 completed surveys were received. Therefore, the
survey is statistically valid. However, the vast majority were from students
enrolled in public or private school.1
2)Data was collected from the Port Townsend School District through phone calls
and personal interviews on existing youth programs and recreational facilities.
From this data, questions were formulated about the main identified programs and
facilities, using the principals in Dr. Fink’s book as a guide. Care was taken to
avoid biased or unclear questions.
3)Consultation with the following individuals helped to refine the purpose of the
survey, identify the target audience, and potential partners:
Michelle Sandoval, Mayor
Philip Morley, Jefferson County Administrator
Anne Dean, Jefferson County Community Network
Catharine Robinson, Councilmember
Jeremy Bubnick, Director of City Parks
Rick Sepler, Director of Planning
Judy Surber, Planning Manager
4)Superintendent Tom Opstad was then contacted forpermission to distribute the
surveys for 6th-12th graders within the PortTownsend School District. Principal
Decker, PrincipalEhrhardt and Linda Maguire of Jefferson Community School
1 Results may not be representative of students in alternative programs or home schooled youth (see #6
below).
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FINAL: November 16, 20104
were contacted and asked permission to distribute surveys at their schools.
Permission was granted in all cases.
5)A draft survey was distributed to focus groups at both the Port Townsend High
School and Blue Heron Middle School to determine the need to clarify questions.
The survey was revised based on the recommendations of the focus groups.
Revised surveys were distributed to all participating schools.
6)Completed surveys were collected from 6th-8th graders at Blue Heron Middle
School, 9th-11th grade surveys from the Port Townsend High School, and all
grades from Jefferson Community School. Few ICE Program, home school and
12th grade surveys were able to be collected due to late distribution.
7)Results were tallied and analyzed with the aid of Microsoft’s Access and Excel
programs. Data from each survey was entered as an individual record in a
Microsoft Access database. The records were then sorted and filtered based on
various criteria, and data was transferred to Microsoft Excel for ease of numerical
analysis. Because there were an uneven number of male and female respondents,
and of respondents from each grade, it was determined that sections comparing
those categories should be presented in percentages only, so that greater or lesser
absolute numbers did not falsely indicate a greater or lesser preference.
Results:
Results are presented in percentages.As such,some amounts may not total to 100 due to
rounding. The main body of the survey includes narrative, tables and pie charts
representing the collective results. The narrative text also includes some discussion of
preference by gender and grade. For more detail and supporting tables and pie charts,
please refer to AppendicesBand C.
Basic Results –Grade, Gender and School:
The first three questions of the survey asked the student’s grade, gender and school.
Responseswere gathered from 442 youths.As noted above, few ICE Program, home
school and 12th grade surveys were able to be collected due to late distribution. Thus,
results may not be representative of youth in alternative programs or home schooled.
GenderNumberof YouthPercentof Youth
Female23352.71%
Male 206 46.61%
Unspecified30.68%
Grade
6th6915.61%
7th 70 15.84%
8th7015.84%
9th 75 16.97%
10th8218.55%
11th 53 11.99%
12th214.75%
Unspecified 2 0.45%
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School
Public School40290.95%
Jeff.Community School 34 7.69%
Other61.36%
Gender
Female Male Unspecified
Schools
Public School Jefferson Community School Other
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Grades
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th Unspecified
Which activities do youth tend to participate in and how frequently?:
Question 4 of the Survey was a two part question. First, youths were asked to indicate
frequency of participation (either current or past) as follows:
x Often (weekly)
x Some (once a month)
x Not much (few times/year)
x Never
In general, the activities with the strongest “weekly” participation include team sports
(42%); individual sports (25%) and school clubs (21%). Activities with stronger
participation on a monthly basis include volunteering (15%) and individual sports
(14%), while military programs and tutoring showed the least participation.
Overall, 329 separate youth (74% of respondents) said they participated in an activity
“often”, 218 said they participated “some”, 285 said they participated “not much” and
418 said there was an activity they never participated in.
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Results By Gender (Appendix B) -Team sports remains the most popular activity
for either gender, but it is significantly more popular among males than females(48%
vs. 36% respectively). Females are more likely than males to participate in individual
sports(27% to 21% respectively). Military activities remain at the bottom of the list,
with slightly more male participants than female and neither in great quantity(2.91%
to 1% respectively).
Results by Grade: Weekly participation (i.e., “often”) in team sports is relatively
high across all grades(mean of 42%). 6th graders have the lowest rate(38%), and
several mentioned in comments that they felt there was a lack of opportunities for
them to participate due to their age.
Weekly participation in school clubs is greatest at the high school levelwith a high of
48% in 10th grade.
Participation in leadership opportunities is generally low(mean 15%). Weekly
participation spikes in 10th grade(24%)and then sharply declines.
Weekly participation in church groups is highest in 6th and 7th grades (23-29%
respectively), after which it generally declines steeply, though it does spike to 21% in
11th grade (Appendix B).
.
Participation in All Activities, By Frequency
0255075100125150175200225250275300325350375400
A. Often
B. Some
C. Not Much
D. Never
Number of Students
Team Sports Individual Sports School Clubs Other Clubs
Community Programs Tutoring Volunteering Leadership Opportunities
Church Groups Military Programs
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FINAL: November 16, 20108
Often %Some %
Total
Active %
Not
Much %Never %
Total
Inactive %
Non-
Respondent%
Team Sports 42.31%12.44%54.75%20.36%21.95%42.31%2.94%
Individual
Sports 25.11%13.57%38.68%17.65%38.01%55.66%5.66%
School Clubs 21.04%8.14%29.18%13.35%52.04%65.39%5.43%
Other Clubs 7.24%6.33%13.57%6.56%73.98%80.54%5.89%
Community
Programs 4.98%6.11%11.09%9.95%70.81%80.76%8.15%
Tutoring 2.26%2.49%4.75%5.88%81.45%87.33%7.92%
Volunteering 8.82%15.16%23.98%17.87%52.49%70.36%5.66%
Leadership
Opportunities 15.84%9.50%25.34%9.50%57.69%67.19%7.47%
Church
Groups 18.78%7.24%26.02%10.86%57.69%68.55%5.43%
Military
Programs 2.04%0.45%2.49%2.49%88.46%90.95%6.56%
Minimum 2.04%0.45%2.49%2.49%21.95%42.31%2.94%
Maximum 42.31%15.16%54.75%20.36%88.46%90.95%8.15%
Mean
Percentage 14.84%8.14%22.99%11.45%59.46%70.90%6.11%
What are the barriers to participation, according to our youth?:
The second part of question 4 asked if ‘if you did not participate in an activity more than
a few times a year, why not?’ Lack of interest was the primary reason for limited to non-
participation. Very few youth reported cost as a barrier, though cost appears to be more
of a barrier in regards team sports (11.4%) than for any other activity, with the next
highest beingindividual sports at 6.5%. Perhaps more outreach is needed in regards
volunteering, leadership opportunities, and tutoringas over 20% of students reported they
were “not sure what it is.” Responses in the “other” category generally indicated lack of
time or lack of opportunity to participate.
54 separate youth said that cost was a barrier to their participation, 91 said they had
difficulties getting to where the activities were held, 188 did not participate in an activity
because they weren’t sure what it was, and 386 youths said they did not participate due to
lack of interest.
Note: Costas a barrier to participation may be under-represented given that students in
this age group appear reluctant to report financial difficulties. For example, it is typical to
see the percentage of students requesting Free and Reduced Lunch drop significantly
from elementary school to middle school and even further by highschool. This isn't
because high school students are somehow more affluent than elementary or middle
school students; rather,as students age,they become embarrassed to admit that they need
subsidization to buy lunch.
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Non-Participation Reasons, by Reason
0255075100125150175200225250275300
A. Not Interested
B. Costs too much
C. Can't get there
D. Not sure what it is
E. Other
Number of Students
Team Sports Individual Sports School Clubs Other Clubs
Community Programs Tutoring Volunteering Leadership Opportunities
Church Groups Military Programs
Not
Interested
Costs Too
Much
Can't Get
There
Not Sure
What It IsOther
Non-
Respondent %
Team Sports 59.07%11.40%6.22%4.15%19.16%0.00%
Individual Sports 67.89%6.50%6.10%4.47%10.98%4.06%
School Clubs 64.36%2.08%4.50%11.42%11.42%6.22%
Other Clubs 79.11%1.95%1.67%4.74%8.36%4.17%
Community
Programs 65.27%1.40%4.48%18.21%7.56%3.08%
Tutoring 56.74%0.78%3.37%23.32%14.25%1.54%
Volunteering 52.73%1.29%7.07%24.12%9.00%5.79%
Leadership
Opportunities 58.92%0.34%3.70%22.56%12.79%1.69%
Church Groups 68.32%0.33%6.27%2.64%15.84%6.60%
Military Programs 67.66%1.99%5.47%9.20%9.70%5.98%
Minimum 52.73%0.33%1.67%2.64%7.56%0.00%
Maximum 79.11%11.40%7.07%24.12%19.16%6.60%
Mean Percentage 64.01%2.81%4.89%12.48%11.91%3.91%
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Where do youth spend their time?
The most frequently attended locationswere parks other than the skate park, such as Fort
Worden and Chetzemoka(Survey Question 6). The least frequently attended was the
YMCA with 322 youths saying they never went there. The most common reasongiven
for low attendance was lack of interest. It should be noted that parks arenot typically
associated with structured activities and thus may simply be an indicator of where youth
gather while other locations, such as the pool and YMCA, provide structured activities.
In addition, it may have been unclear to represent YMCA as a “location” -as
respondents may have interpreted this strictly as the Mountain View campus while the
YMCA offers various activities in a number of locations.
By Gender: Both genders report parks, other than the skate park, as the location they
visit with the highest frequency (i.e, weekly). With the exception of the pool, males are
more likely than females to attend all other locations. Likewise, excepting again parks
andthe pool, females are more likely than males to never attend a given location.
By Grade:Pool attendance is highest in 6th and 7th grade (with 50% and 46%
respectively reporting weekly to monthly attendance). Attendance declines to a low of
11.32% by 11th grade.
Attendence Frequency by Location
0255075100125150175200225250275300325
Boiler Room
Community Center
Pool
NWMTC
Skate Park
Other Parks
YMCA
Number of Students
A.Often B. Some C. Not Much D. Never
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Often %Some%
Total High
Att. %
Not
Much %Never %
Total Low
Att. %
Non-
Respondent%
Boiler Room 6.33%8.14%14.47%23.08%61.09%84.17%1.36%
Community
Center 6.79%17.42%24.21%26.92%45.93%72.85%2.94%
Pool 15.16%16.74%31.90%40.05%26.92%66.97%1.13%
NWMTC1 6.11%14.48%20.59%26.70%48.87%75.57%3.84%
Skate Park 8.37%11.99%20.36%25.11%53.17%78.28%1.36%
Other Parks 40.95%37.10%78.05%16.52%2.71%19.23%2.72%
YMCA 2.94%7.24%10.18%12.22%72.85%85.07%4.75%
Minimum 2.94%7.24%10.18%12.22%2.71%19.23%1.13%
Maximum 40.95%37.10%78.05%40.05%72.85%85.07%4.75%
Mean
Percentage 12.38%16.16%28.54%24.37%44.51%68.88%2.59%
1 NWMTC -Northwest Maritime Center/Wooden Boat Foundation
When shouldprograms and services be offered?
Most youths said that they preferred activities and programs to be offered after school
or in the summer(Survey Question #7). Before school is not a desirable time.428
youths gave an opinion on times to offer programs.
Times to Offer Programs
0255075100125150175200225250275300325
After School
Before School
Weekends
Summer
Number of Students
Good Okay Bad
GoodOkayBadNon-Respondent%
After School 60.86%26.70%8.60%3.84%
Before School 5.66%19.91%68.55%5.88%
Weekends 24.43%40.50%30.54%4.53%
Summer 50.23%28.51%17.19%4.07%
Minimum 5.66%19.91%8.60%3.84%
Maximum 60.86%40.50%68.55%5.88%
Mean Percentage 35.30%28.91%31.22%4.58%
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Are an adequate number of programs being offered in our community?
Very few youths thought there were too many of any program, mostly indicating the
number was just right or that they didn’t know(Survey Question #8).In general, females
believe more activities are needed, with a significant percent of female youth indicating
the need for more individual sports and volunteer opportunities (37% and 33%
respectively).
Progam Numbers, by Number
0255075100125150175200225250275
Too Many
Just Right
Need More
Don't Know
Team Sports Individual Sports School Clubs Other Clubs
Community Programs Tutoring Volunteering Leadership Opportunities
Church Groups Military Programs
Too ManyJust RightNeed More
Don't
KnowNon-Respondent
Team Sports 6.33%47.06%26.92%10.18%9.51%
Individual Sports 4.75%37.33%31.67%19.91%6.34%
School Clubs 7.69%42.76%26.70%19.46%3.39%
Other Clubs 6.11%34.62%19.91%35.29%4.07%
Community Programs 7.01%31.67%24.89%31.67%4.76%
Tutoring 4.52%27.38%22.17%42.53%3.40%
Volunteering 5.43%33.26%26.92%30.09%4.30%
Leadership
Opportunities 3.85%31.90%23.30%35.97%4.98%
Church Groups 20.14%29.86%9.28%35.97%4.75%
Military Programs 7.92%12.90%16.06%57.47%5.65%
Minimum 3.85%12.90%9.28%10.18%3.39%
Maximum 20.14%47.06%31.67%57.47%9.51%
Mean Percentage 7.38%32.87%22.78%31.85%5.12%
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What other programs and services should be offered?
Survey Question #9 suggested several activities, which all had some support from the youth, and
allowed participants to write in “other” activities.The average youth wants 4.17 of the suggested
activities, with a 24 hour internet café being the most desired by all grades. A youth activity
advertising section in the newspaper was also strongly supported.370 individual youths
indicated a desire for one of the suggested activities.
By gender: In general, females want more activities than males. The average female youth
wants 4.75 activities, overthe average male’s 3.5. A twenty-four hour internet café remains the
favorite for both genders, but the second most popular for females is an arts and crafts shop
(56%), while for males it is an Ultimate Frisbee team(41%). There is also a strong interestfrom
both genders in a youth advertising section in the newspaper.
By grade: The second most wanted activity varies by grade (Appendix C); for 6th graders, it is
an arts and crafts shop, and for 7th graders, it is a youth advertising section in the newspaper. 8th
graders would like another bookshop, 9th graders are also in favor of an arts and crafts shop, 10th
and 11th graders support an Ultimate Frisbee team and 12th graders prefer the youth newspaper
section (however, recall that a low percentage of 12th graders were surveyed).
Wanted ActivityNumber of YouthPercent of Youth
24hr/internet café27862.90%
Teen Activity Section in Newspaper 195 44.12%
Arts and crafts stores19544.12%
Independent bookstores and other
businesses 183 41.40%
Ultimate Frisbee Club17339.14%
Kayak Club 155 35.07%
Bike Club15234.39%
Teen Co-op Garden 144 32.58%
Community Center13330.09%
Tutoring Centers 120 27.15%
Other11626.24%
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What other activities did youth suggest?
Of the youth who had a write-in suggestionfor Question #9, most wanted some athletic
activity or a club, with a significant few still holding out for a bowling alley or roller rink.
The responses were grouped into the categories below. The “activity” category covers art
classes, dances, writing programs, etc. “Music”refers to things such as community choirs
and youth orchestras. “Other”refers to non-activity requests like internet access, arcades,
and television programming. “Other groups”are spiritual and political groups.
Other Wanted ActivitiesNumber of YouthPercent of Youth
Athletics347.69%
Clubs 23 5.20%
Activity184.07%
Mall/Shopping 14 3.17%
Bowling Alley122.71%
Music 11 2.49%
Roller Rink112.49%
Other 9 2.04%
Other Group61.36%
Pool 6 1.36%
Food51.13%
Gaming 5 1.13%
Recreation Center51.13%
Youth Space 5 1.13%
Total1641.41
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How can we best inform youth of available programs and services?
Most youths indicated that the best way to contact them was through school
announcements, or, failingthat, through a social networking site such as Facebook
(Survey Question #10). However, very few of them said Twitter was a good method to
use.This is possibly due to Twitter’s low character limit in posts. Means of contact were
gathered from 389 separate youths.
Means of ContactNumber of YouthPercent of Youth
School Announcement24655.66%
Myspace/Facebook 183 41.40%
Email12428.05%
Flyers/Posters 128 28.96%
Newspaper11826.70%
Website 77 17.42%
Other224.98%
Twitter 12 2.71%
Any othercomments or suggestions?
In the “fill-in” comments, many youth noted that there seem to be very few activities for
them and very few places they felt comfortable hanging out with friends. Several of them
said they felt this town was mainly for “old people” and that their thoughts and opinions
were generally ignored by those in charge. Many also want the recreationcenter to be
reopened. The full text of the final comments is included in Appendix D.
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APPENDIX A: Results By Gender
Numbering correspondsto Survey Questions:
4)Teamsports remains the most popular activity for either gender, but it is significantly more
popular among males than females. Females are more likely than males to participate in
individual sports. Military activities remain at the bottom of the list, with slightly more male
participants than female and neither in great quantity.
Activity Frequency by Gender
0.00%10.00%20.00%30.00%40.00%50.00%60.00%70.00%80.00%90.00%100.00%
Team Sports
Individual Sports
School Clubs
Other Clubs
Community Programs
Tutoring
Volunteering
Leadership
Church Groups
Military Programs
Female Often Male Often Female Some Male Some Female Not Much Male Not Much Female Never Male Never
FEMALES Often %Some %
Total
Active %Not Much %Never %
Total
Inactive %
Non-
Respondent%
Team Sports 36.48%14.16%50.64%21.03%24.03%45.06%4.30%
Individual
Sports 27.47%11.16%38.63%16.74%38.63%55.37%6.00%
School
Clubs 23.61%6.44%30.05%14.16%49.79%63.95%6.00%
Other Clubs 6.87%6.44%13.31%7.73%74.25%81.98%4.71%
Community
Programs 6.44%6.44%12.88%11.16%69.96%81.12%6.00%
Tutoring 2.58%3.00%5.58%6.87%81.97%88.84%5.58%
Volunteering 8.58%18.45%27.03%15.45%53.22%68.67%4.30%
Leadership 15.88%7.73%23.61%9.01%60.52%69.53%6.86%
Church
Groups 20.17%8.58%28.75%12.02%54.51%66.53%4.72%
Military
Programs 1.29%0.00%1.29%1.29%92.70%93.99%4.72%
Minimum 1.29%0.00%1.29%1.29%24.03%45.06%4.30%
Maximum 36.48%18.45%50.64%21.03%92.70%93.99%6.86%
Mean
Percentage 14.94%8.24%23.18%11.55%59.96%71.50%5.32%
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MALES Often %Some %
Total
Active %Not Much %Never %
Total
Inactive %
Non-
Respondent%
Team Sports 47.57%9.71%57.28%19.42%19.42%38.84%3.88%
Individual
Sports 21.36%16.50%37.86%18.93%35.44%54.37%7.77%
School
Clubs 17.48%10.19%27.67%12.14%52.91%65.05%7.28%
Other Clubs 7.77%6.31%14.08%5.34%73.30%78.64%7.28%
Community
Programs 3.40%5.83%9.23%8.74%71.36%80.10%10.67%
Tutoring 1.94%1.46%3.40%4.85%81.07%85.92%10.68%
Volunteering 9.22%11.17%20.39%20.87%51.46%72.33%7.28%
Leadership 15.53%11.65%27.18%10.19%54.37%64.56%8.26%
Church
Groups 17.48%5.83%23.31%9.22%61.17%70.39%6.30%
Military
Programs 2.91%0.97%3.88%3.88%83.50%87.38%8.74%
Minimum 1.94%0.97%3.40%3.88%19.42%38.84%3.88%
Maximum 47.57%16.50%57.28%20.87%83.50%87.38%10.68%
Mean
Percentage 14.47%7.96%22.43%11.36%58.40%69.76%7.81%
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6)In all cases except parks such as Fort Worden, males are more likely than females to attend a
location often. Likewise, excepting again parks and the pool, females are more likely than males
to never attend a given location
Attendance Frequency by Gender
0.00%5.00%10.00%15.00%20.00%25.00%30.00%35.00%40.00%45.00%50.00%55.00%60.00%65.00%70.00%75.00%
Boiler Room
Community Center
Pool
Wooden Boat/NWMTC
Skate Park
Other Park
YMCA
Female Often Male Often Female Some Male Some Female Not Much Male Not Much Female Never Male Never
FEMALES Often %Some%
Total High
Att. %
Not
Much %Never %
Total Low
Att. %
Non-
Respondent %
Boiler Room 4.72%9.01%13.73%22.32%63.95%86.27%0.00%
Community
Center 5.15%15.45%20.60%29.61%48.50%78.11%1.29%
Pool 14.59%18.45%33.04%40.77%24.89%65.66%1.30%
NWMTC 3.86%14.16%18.02%29.61%49.79%79.40%2.58%
Skate Park 6.87%8.58%15.45%28.33%55.79%84.12%0.43%
Other Parks 45.49%38.20%83.69%12.45%1.72%14.17%2.14%
YMCA 2.58%6.87%9.45%14.59%72.96%87.55%3.00%
Minimum 2.58%6.87%9.45%12.45%1.72%14.17%0.00%
Maximum 45.49%38.20%83.69%40.77%72.96%87.55%3.00%
Mean
Percentage 11.89%15.82%27.71%25.38%45.37%70.75%1.53%
MALES Often %Some%
Total High
Att. %
Not
Much %Never %
Total Low
Att. %
Non-
Respondent %
Boiler Room 7.77%7.28%15.05%23.79%58.25%82.04%2.91%
Community
Center 8.25%19.90%28.15%24.27%42.72%66.99%4.86%
Pool 14.56%15.05%29.61%39.81%29.61%69.42%0.97%
NWMTC 8.25%15.05%23.30%23.30%48.06%71.36%5.34%
Skate Park 8.74%16.02%24.76%21.84%50.97%72.81%2.43%
Other Parks 35.44%35.92%71.36%21.36%3.88%25.24%3.40%
YMCA 2.91%7.77%10.68%9.71%72.82%82.53%6.79%
Minimum 2.91%7.28%10.68%9.71%3.88%25.24%0.97%
Maximum 35.44%35.92%71.36%39.81%72.82%82.53%6.79%
Mean
Percentage 12.27%16.71%28.99%23.44%43.76%67.20%3.81%
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8)A significant percent of female youth believe more individual sports and volunteering
opportunities are needed. Females believe more activities are needed in general, as is shown in
the chart of activities wanted, below
Activity Numbers, By Gender
0.00%5.00%10.00%15.00%20.00%25.00%30.00%35.00%40.00%45.00%50.00%55.00%60.00%65.00%
Team Sports
Individual Sports
School Clubs
Other Clubs
Community Programs
Tutoring
Volunteering
Leadership
Church Groups
Military Programs
Female Too Many Male Too Many Female Just Right Male Just Right
Female Need More Male Need More Female Don't Know Male Don't Know
FEMALES Too ManyJust RightNeed MoreDon't KnowNon-Respondent %
Team Sports 9.01%45.49%26.18%10.30%9.02%
Individual Sports 4.29%40.34%37.34%13.73%4.30%
School Clubs 5.58%42.92%31.76%18.03%1.71%
Other Clubs 3.43%33.91%25.32%34.33%3.01%
Community
Programs 3.43%33.05%30.04%30.04%3.44%
Tutoring 3.00%27.90%24.89%42.06%2.15%
Volunteering 3.00%33.48%33.05%27.04%3.43%
Leadership
Opportunities 2.58%33.48%27.04%33.48%3.42%
Church Groups 17.60%36.91%8.58%33.48%3.43%
Military Programs 7.73%14.59%8.58%64.38%4.72%
Minimum 2.58%14.59%8.58%10.30%1.71%
Maximum 17.60%45.49%37.34%64.38%9.02%
Mean Percentage 5.97%34.21%25.28%30.69%3.86%
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MALES Too ManyJust RightNeed MoreDon't KnowNon-Respondent %
Team Sports 3.40%49.03%27.18%10.19%10.20%
Individual Sports 5.34%34.47%25.24%26.70%8.25%
School Clubs 9.71%42.72%21.36%20.87%5.34%
Other Clubs 8.74%35.92%13.59%36.41%5.34%
Community
Programs 10.68%30.58%18.93%33.50%6.31%
Tutoring 5.83%26.21%19.42%43.69%4.85%
Volunteering 7.77%33.01%20.39%33.50%5.33%
Leadership
Opportunities 4.85%30.10%19.42%38.83%6.80%
Church Groups 22.82%21.84%9.71%39.32%6.31%
Military Programs 8.25%10.68%24.27%50.49%6.31%
Minimum 3.40%10.68%9.71%10.19%4.85%
Maximum 22.82%49.03%27.18%50.49%10.20%
Mean Percentage 8.74%31.46%19.95%33.35%6.50%
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9)In general, females want more activities than males. The average female youth wants 4.75
activities, over the average male’s 3.5. A twenty-four hour internet café remains a strong
favorite for both genders, but the second most popular for females is an arts and crafts shop,
while for males it is an Ultimate Frisbee team. There is also a strong interest from both genders
in a youth advertising section in the newspaper.
Wanted Activities by Gender
0.00%5.00%10.00%15.00%20.00%25.00%30.00%35.00%40.00%45.00%50.00%55.00%60.00%65.00%70.00%75.00%
Café
Bookshop
Tutoring Center
Ultimate Frisbee Team
Bike Club
Kayak Club
Community Center
Youth Co-op Garden
Newspaper Section
Arts and Crafts Shops
Other
Male Female
FemaleNumberPercent of GenderMaleNumberPercent of Gender
Café17374.25%Café10350.00%
Arts and Crafts Shops 130 55.79%Ultimate Frisbee Team 85 41.26%
Newspaper Section12553.65%Bike Club7335.44%
Bookshop 120 51.50%Newspaper Section 69 33.50%
Youth Co-op Garden9540.77%Kayak Club6833.01%
Ultimate Frisbee Team 86 36.91%Arts and Crafts Shops 63 30.58%
Kayak Club8636.91%Bookshop6230.10%
Tutoring Center 83 35.62%Community Center 57 27.67%
Bike Club7733.05%Other5526.70%
Community Center 75 32.19%Youth Co-op Garden 48 23.30%
Other5925.32%Tutoring Center3617.48%
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APPENDIX B: Results By Grade
Survey Questions were broken down further to extract results by grade –the first number
corresponds to the Survey Question:
4-1)Weekly participation (i.e., “often”) in team sports is relatively high across all grades
(mean of 42%). 6th graders have the lowest rate (38%), and several mentioned in
comments that they felt there was a lack of opportunities for them to participate due to
their age.
Team Sports Participation by Grade
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
A. OftenB. SomeC. Not MuchD. Never
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Often %Some %
Total
Active %Not Much %Never %
Total
Inactive %
Non-
Respondent%
6th 37.68%13.04%50.72%20.29%24.64%44.93%4.35%
7th 42.86%21.43%64.29%12.86%20.00%32.86%2.85%
8th 44.29%4.29%48.58%28.57%20.00%48.57%2.85%
9th 44.00%13.33%57.33%21.33%21.33%42.66%0.01%
10th 40.24%15.85%56.09%18.29%20.73%39.02%4.89%
11th 45.28%3.77%49.05%22.64%24.53%47.17%3.78%
12th 42.86%14.29%57.15%14.29%28.56%42.85%0.00%
Minimum 37.68%3.77%48.58%12.86%20.00%32.86%0.00%
Maximum 45.28%21.43%64.29%28.57%28.56%48.57%4.89%
Mean
Percentage 42.46%12.29%54.74%19.75%22.83%42.58%2.68%
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4-2)
Individual Sports Participation by Grade
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
A. OftenB. SomeC. Not MuchD. Never
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Often %Some %
Total
Active %Not Much %Never %
Total
Inactive %
Non-
Respondent%
6th 26.09%14.49%40.58%17.39%34.78%52.17%7.25%
7th 27.14%17.14%44.28%15.71%34.29%50.00%5.72%
8th 20.00%11.43%31.43%21.43%44.29%65.72%2.85%
9th 28.00%10.67%38.67%21.33%34.67%56.00%5.33%
10th 25.61%15.85%41.46%15.85%35.37%51.22%7.32%
11th 26.42%13.21%39.63%15.09%39.62%54.71%5.66%
12th 14.29%4.76%19.05%14.29%61.90%76.19%4.76%
Minimum 14.29%4.76%19.05%14.29%34.29%50.00%2.85%
Maximum 28.00%17.14%44.28%21.43%61.90%76.19%7.32%
Mean
Percentage 23.94%12.51%36.44%17.30%40.70%58.00%5.56%
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4-3)Weeklyparticipation in school clubs is greatest at the high school level, peaking at 10th
grade and with a sharp drop at 12th. Most 12th graders who participate at all in school clubs do so
approximately once a month
School Clubs Participation by Grade
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
A. OftenB. SomeC. Not MuchD. Never
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Often %Some %
Total Active
%Not Much %Never %
Total
Inactive %
Non-
Respondent%
6th 11.59%5.80%17.39%8.70%65.22%73.92%8.69%
7th 10.00%4.29%14.29%12.86%64.29%77.15%8.56%
8th 8.57%7.14%15.71%25.71%55.71%81.42%2.87%
9th 29.33%12.00%41.33%9.33%42.67%52.00%6.67%
10th 36.59%10.98%47.57%9.76%37.80%47.56%4.87%
11th 32.08%3.77%35.85%18.87%43.40%62.27%1.88%
12th 14.29%19.05%33.34%4.76%61.90%66.66%0.00%
Minimum 8.57%3.77%14.29%4.76%37.80%47.56%0.00%
Maximum 36.59%19.05%47.57%25.71%65.22%81.42%8.69%
Mean
Percentage 20.35%9.00%29.35%12.86%53.00%65.85%4.79%
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4-4)
Other Clubs Participation by Grade
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
A. OftenB. SomeC. Not MuchD. Never
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Often %Some %
Total
Active %Not Much %Never %
Total
Inactive %
Non-
Respondent%
6th 13.04%5.80%18.84%7.25%68.12%75.37%5.79%
7th 11.43%7.14%18.57%1.43%72.86%74.29%7.14%
8th 4.29%0.00%4.29%7.14%87.14%94.28%1.43%
9th 10.67%8.00%18.67%4.00%70.67%74.67%6.66%
10th 2.44%9.76%12.20%7.32%71.95%79.27%8.53%
11th 1.89%7.55%9.44%13.21%69.81%83.02%7.54%
12th 4.76%4.76%9.52%9.52%80.95%90.47%0.01%
Minimum 1.89%0.00%4.29%1.43%68.12%74.29%0.01%
Maximum 13.04%9.76%18.84%13.21%87.14%94.28%8.53%
Mean
Percentage 6.93%6.14%13.08%7.12%74.50%81.62%5.30%
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4-5)
Community Program Participation by Grade
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
A. OftenB. SomeC. Not MuchD. Never
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Often %Some %
Total
Active %Not Much %Never %
Total
Inactive %
Non-
Respondent%
6th 7.25%4.35%11.60%11.59%57.97%69.56%18.84%
7th 1.43%7.14%8.57%8.57%74.29%82.86%8.57%
8th 2.86%2.86%5.72%7.14%85.71%92.85%1.43%
9th 8.00%4.00%12.00%10.67%70.67%81.34%6.66%
10th 7.32%10.98%18.30%10.98%64.63%75.61%6.09%
11th 3.77%5.66%9.43%11.32%69.81%81.13%9.44%
12th 0.00%9.52%9.52%4.76%80.95%85.71%4.77%
Minimum 0.00%2.86%5.72%4.76%57.97%69.56%1.43%
Maximum 8.00%10.98%18.30%11.59%85.71%92.85%18.84%
Mean
Percentage 4.38%6.36%10.73%9.29%72.00%81.29%7.97%
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4-6)
Tutoring Participation by Grade
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
A. OftenB. SomeC. Not MuchD. Never
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Often %Some %
Total
Active %Not Much %Never %
Total
Inactive %
Non-
Respondent%
6th 2.90%4.35%7.25%7.25%69.57%76.82%15.93%
7th 1.43%2.86%4.29%5.71%80.00%85.71%10.00%
8th 1.43%0.00%1.43%2.86%95.71%98.57%0.00%
9th 2.67%2.67%5.34%9.33%78.67%88.00%6.66%
10th 2.44%1.22%3.66%6.10%81.71%87.81%8.53%
11th 3.77%3.77%7.54%5.66%77.36%83.02%9.44%
12th 0.00%4.76%4.76%0.00%95.24%95.24%0.00%
Minimum 0.00%0.00%1.43%0.00%69.57%76.82%0.00%
Maximum 3.77%4.76%7.54%9.33%95.71%98.57%15.93%
Mean
Percentage 2.09%2.80%4.90%5.27%82.61%87.88%7.22%
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4-7)
Volunteering Participation by Grade
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
A. OftenB. SomeC. Not MuchD. Never
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Often %Some %
Total
Active %Not Much %Never %
Total
Inactive %
Non-
Respondent%
6th 5.80%13.04%18.84%14.49%55.07%69.56%11.60%
7th 12.86%11.43%24.29%10.00%60.00%70.00%5.71%
8th 5.71%11.43%17.14%21.43%61.43%82.86%0.00%
9th 10.67%17.33%28.00%18.67%46.67%65.34%6.66%
10th 9.76%26.83%36.59%18.29%37.80%56.09%7.32%
11th 9.43%11.32%20.75%26.42%49.06%75.48%3.77%
12th 4.76%4.76%9.52%19.05%71.43%90.48%0.00%
Minimum 4.76%4.76%9.52%10.00%37.80%56.09%0.00%
Maximum 12.86%26.83%36.59%26.42%71.43%90.48%11.60%
Mean
Percentage 8.43%13.73%22.16%18.34%54.49%72.83%5.01%
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4-8)Participation in leadership opportunities is generally low. Weekly participation spikes in
10th grade and then sharply declines. Yearly participation has a high point in 12th grade
Leadership Opportunity Participation by Grade
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
A. OftenB. SomeC. Not MuchD. Never
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Often %Some %
Total
Active %Not Much %Never %
Total
Inactive %
Non-
Respondent%
6th 13.04%14.49%27.53%7.25%50.72%57.97%14.50%
7th 15.71%8.57%24.28%12.86%52.86%65.72%10.00%
8th 17.14%12.86%30.00%8.57%55.71%64.28%5.72%
9th 12.00%9.33%21.33%8.00%64.00%72.00%6.67%
10th 24.39%3.66%28.05%10.98%54.88%65.86%6.09%
11th 13.21%11.32%24.53%5.66%66.04%71.70%3.77%
12th 9.52%4.76%14.28%19.05%66.67%85.72%0.00%
Minimum 9.52%3.66%14.28%5.66%50.72%57.97%0.00%
Maximum 24.39%14.49%30.00%19.05%66.67%85.72%14.50%
Mean
Percentage 15.00%9.28%24.29%10.34%58.70%69.04%6.68%
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4-9)Weekly participation in church groups is highest in 6th and 7th grades, after which it mostly
declines steeply, though it does spike again in 11th grade before dropping again
Church Group Participation by Grade
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
A. OftenB. SomeC. Not MuchD. Never
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Often %Some %
Total
Active %Not Much %Never %
Total
Inactive %
Non-
Respondent%
6th 23.19%5.80%28.99%13.04%49.28%62.32%8.69%
7th 28.57%11.43%40.00%11.43%41.43%52.86%7.14%
8th 15.71%11.43%27.14%14.29%57.14%71.43%1.43%
9th 16.00%8.00%24.00%6.67%64.00%70.67%5.33%
10th 13.41%2.44%15.85%9.76%69.51%79.27%4.88%
11th 20.57%5.66%26.23%11.32%54.72%66.04%7.73%
12th 9.52%4.76%14.28%9.52%76.19%85.71%0.01%
Minimum 9.52%2.44%14.28%6.67%41.43%52.86%0.01%
Maximum 28.57%11.43%40.00%14.29%76.19%85.71%8.69%
Mean
Percentage 18.14%7.07%25.21%10.86%58.90%69.76%5.03%
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4-10)
Military Program Participation by Grade
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
A. OftenB. SomeC. Not MuchD. Never
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Often %Some %
Total
Active %Not Much %Never %
Total
Inactive %
Non-
Respondent%
6th 1.45%1.45%2.90%2.90%82.61%85.51%11.59%
7th 2.86%0.00%2.86%1.43%88.57%90.00%7.14%
8th 5.71%0.00%5.71%2.86%88.57%91.43%2.86%
9th 2.67%0.00%2.67%4.00%85.33%89.33%8.00%
10th 0.00%0.00%0.00%2.44%92.68%95.12%4.88%
11th 0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%92.45%92.45%7.55%
12th 0.00%4.76%4.76%0.00%95.24%95.24%0.00%
Minimum 0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%82.61%85.51%0.00%
Maximum 5.71%4.76%5.71%4.00%95.24%95.24%11.59%
Mean
Percentage 1.81%0.89%2.70%1.95%89.35%91.30%6.00%
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6-1)
Boiler Room Attendance Frequency by Grade
0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
60.00
70.00
80.00
90.00
100.00
A. OftenB. SomeC. Not MuchD. Never
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Often %Some%
Total High
Att. %Not Much %Never %
Total Low
Att. %
Non-
Respondent %
6th 1.45%11.59%13.04%11.59%68.12%79.71%7.25%
7th 5.71%7.14%12.85%22.86%62.86%85.72%1.43%
8th 10.00%7.14%17.14%32.86%50.00%82.86%0.00%
9th 8.00%10.67%18.67%16.00%65.33%81.33%0.00%
10th 7.31%6.10%13.41%28.05%58.54%86.59%0.00%
11th 5.66%7.55%13.21%28.30%58.49%86.79%0.00%
12th 0.00%4.76%4.76%23.81%71.43%95.24%0.00%
Minimum 0.00%4.76%4.76%11.59%50.00%79.71%0.00%
Maximum 10.00%11.59%18.67%32.86%71.43%95.24%7.25%
Mean
Percentage 5.45%7.85%13.30%23.35%62.11%85.46%1.24%
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6-2)
Community Center Attendance Frequency by Grade
0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
60.00
70.00
80.00
90.00
100.00
A. OftenB. SomeC. Not MuchD. Never
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Often %Some%
Total High
Att. %Not Much %Never %
Total Low
Att. %
Non-
Respondent %
6th 2.90%21.74%24.64%21.74%43.48%65.22%10.14%
7th 12.86%14.29%27.15%25.71%44.29%70.00%2.85%
8th 17.14%18.57%35.71%25.71%37.14%62.85%1.44%
9th 4.00%17.33%21.33%21.33%56.00%77.33%1.34%
10th 1.22%17.07%18.29%35.37%45.12%80.49%1.22%
11th 5.66%18.87%24.53%33.96%39.62%73.58%1.89%
12th 0.00%9.52%9.52%23.81%66.67%90.48%0.00%
Minimum 0.00%9.52%9.52%21.33%37.14%62.85%0.00%
Maximum 17.14%21.74%35.71%35.37%66.67%90.48%10.14%
Mean
Percentage 6.25%16.77%23.02%26.80%47.47%74.28%2.70%
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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6-3)
Pool Attendance Frequency by Grade
0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
60.00
70.00
80.00
90.00
100.00
A. OftenB. SomeC. Not MuchD. Never
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Often %Some%
Total High
Att. %Not Much %Never %
Total Low
Att. %
Non-
Respondent %
6th 28.99%20.99%49.98%31.88%17.39%49.27%0.75%
7th 21.43%24.29%45.72%31.42%22.86%54.28%0.00%
8th 15.71%21.43%37.14%44.29%15.71%60.00%2.86%
9th 10.67%20.00%30.67%36.00%32.00%68.00%1.33%
10th 9.76%9.76%19.52%40.24%39.02%79.26%1.22%
11th 3.77%7.55%11.32%62.26%26.42%88.68%0.00%
12th 9.52%4.76%14.28%38.10%47.62%85.72%0.00%
Minimum 3.77%4.76%11.32%31.42%15.71%49.27%0.00%
Maximum 28.99%24.29%49.98%62.26%47.62%88.68%2.86%
Mean
Percentage 14.26%15.54%29.80%40.60%28.72%69.32%0.88%
6-4)7th graders visit the Wooden Boat Foundation most frequently. Several of them noted in
comments that this was due to a school project, and so the results may not entirely reflect how
often they would visit of their own volition.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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Wooden Boat Foundation Attendance Frequency by Grade
0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
60.00
70.00
80.00
90.00
100.00
A. OftenB. SomeC. Not MuchD. Never
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Often %Some%
Total High
Att. %Not Much %Never %
Total Low
Att. %
Non-
Respondent %
6th 7.25%11.59%18.84%21.74%50.72%72.46%8.70%
7th 8.57%22.86%31.43%37.14%30.00%67.14%1.43%
8th 7.14%14.29%21.43%22.86%51.43%74.29%4.28%
9th 8.00%12.00%20.00%24.00%52.00%76.00%4.00%
10th 1.22%13.41%14.63%26.83%56.10%82.93%2.44%
11th 7.55%11.32%18.87%28.30%50.94%79.24%1.89%
12th 0.00%19.05%19.05%23.81%52.38%76.19%4.76%
Minimum 0.00%11.32%14.63%21.74%30.00%67.14%1.43%
Maximum 8.57%22.86%31.43%37.14%56.10%82.93%8.70%
Mean
Percentage 5.68%14.93%20.61%26.38%49.08%75.46%3.93%
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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6-5)
Skate Park Attendance Frequency by Grade
0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
60.00
70.00
80.00
90.00
100.00
A. OftenB. SomeC. Not MuchD. Never
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Often %Some%
Total High
Att. %Not Much %Never %
Total Low
Att. %
Non-
Respondent %
6th 11.59%11.59%23.18%21.74%52.17%73.91%2.91%
7th 8.57%14.29%22.86%25.71%51.43%77.14%0.00%
8th 15.71%5.71%21.42%32.86%44.29%77.15%1.43%
9th 5.33%14.67%20.00%26.67%49.33%76.00%4.00%
10th 4.88%17.07%21.95%19.51%58.54%78.05%0.00%
11th 5.66%7.55%13.21%26.41%60.38%86.79%0.00%
12th 0.00%4.76%4.76%23.81%71.43%95.24%0.00%
Minimum 0.00%4.76%4.76%19.51%44.29%73.91%0.00%
Maximum 15.71%17.07%23.18%32.86%71.43%95.24%4.00%
Mean
Percentage 7.39%10.81%18.20%25.24%55.37%80.61%1.19%
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6-6)Very few youth never go to the parks, though 6th and 7th graders visit them less frequently
than the older youth.
Other Parks Attendance Frequency by Grade
0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
60.00
70.00
80.00
90.00
100.00
A. OftenB. SomeC. Not MuchD. Never
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Often %Some%
Total High
Att. %Not Much %Never %
Total Low
Att. %
Non-
Respondent %
6th 28.99%40.58%69.57%21.74%4.35%26.09%4.34%
7th 32.86%38.57%71.43%24.29%1.43%25.72%2.85%
8th 48.57%32.86%81.43%14.29%1.43%15.72%2.85%
9th 46.67%34.67%81.34%12.00%2.67%14.67%3.99%
10th 45.12%37.80%82.92%9.76%4.88%14.64%2.44%
11th 45.28%32.08%77.36%20.75%1.89%22.64%0.00%
12th 38.10%47.62%85.72%14.28%0.00%14.28%0.00%
Minimum 28.99%32.08%69.57%9.76%0.00%14.28%0.00%
Maximum 48.57%47.62%85.72%24.29%4.88%26.09%4.34%
Mean
Percentage 40.80%37.74%78.54%16.73%2.38%19.11%2.35%
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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6-7)
YMCA Attendance Frequency by Grade
0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
60.00
70.00
80.00
90.00
100.00
A. OftenB. SomeC. Not MuchD. Never
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Often %Some%
Total High
Att. %Not Much %Never %
Total Low
Att. %
Non-
Respondent %
6th 2.90%11.59%14.49%8.70%68.12%76.82%8.69%
7th 7.14%5.71%12.85%8.57%74.29%82.86%4.29%
8th 5.71%4.29%10.00%12.86%71.43%84.29%5.71%
9th 0.00%9.33%9.33%16.00%69.33%85.33%5.34%
10th 1.22%9.76%10.98%14.63%71.95%86.58%2.44%
11th 1.89%1.89%3.78%13.21%79.25%92.46%3.76%
12th 0.00%4.76%4.76%9.52%85.72%95.24%0.00%
Minimum 0.00%1.89%3.78%8.57%68.12%76.82%0.00%
Maximum 7.14%11.59%14.49%16.00%85.72%95.24%8.69%
Mean
Percentage 2.69%6.76%9.46%11.93%74.30%86.23%4.32%
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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8-1)
Team Sports Numbers by Grade
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
Too ManyJust RightNeed MoreDon't Know
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Too ManyJust RightNeed MoreDon't KnowNon-Respondent %
6th 4.35%49.28%18.84%13.04%14.49%
7th 8.57%34.29%37.17%8.57%11.40%
8th 7.14%45.71%27.14%10.00%10.01%
9th 5.33%52.00%22.67%5.33%14.67%
10th 6.10%56.10%28.83%7.32%1.65%
11th 5.66%45.28%26.42%18.87%3.77%
12th 4.76%38.10%38.10%14.29%4.75%
Minimum 4.35%34.29%18.84%5.33%1.65%
Maximum 8.57%56.10%38.10%18.87%14.67%
Mean
Percentage 5.99%45.82%28.45%11.06%8.68%
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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FINAL: November 16, 201040
8-2)
Individual Sports Numbers by Grade
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
Too ManyJust RightNeed MoreDon't Know
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Too ManyJust RightNeed MoreDon't KnowNon-Respondent %
6th 8.70%30.43%34.78%21.74%4.35%
7th 5.71%31.43%30.00%28.57%4.29%
8th 8.57%41.43%24.29%20.00%5.71%
9th 4.00%38.67%37.33%8.00%12.00%
10th 2.44%35.37%39.02%14.36%8.81%
11th 0.00%54.72%20.75%22.64%1.89%
12th 0.00%28.57%33.33%33.33%4.77%
Minimum 0.00%28.57%20.75%8.00%1.89%
Maximum 8.70%54.72%39.02%33.33%12.00%
Mean
Percentage 4.20%37.23%31.36%21.23%5.97%
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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FINAL: November 16, 201041
8-3)
School Club Numbers by Grade
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
Too ManyJust RightNeed MoreDon't Know
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Too ManyJust RightNeed MoreDon't KnowNon-Respondent %
6th 7.25%33.33%28.99%27.54%2.89%
7th 10.00%38.57%31.43%17.14%2.86%
8th 10.00%28.57%31.43%28.57%1.43%
9th 1.33%60.00%20.00%12.00%6.67%
10th 6.10%52.44%26.83%10.98%3.65%
11th 9.43%47.17%16.98%22.64%3.78%
12th 14.29%28.57%38.10%19.04%0.00%
Minimum 1.33%28.57%16.98%10.98%0.00%
Maximum 14.29%60.00%38.10%28.57%6.67%
Mean
Percentage 8.34%41.24%27.68%19.70%3.04%
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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FINAL: November 16, 201042
8-4)
Other Club Numbers by Grade
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
Too ManyJust RightNeed MoreDon't Know
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Too ManyJust RightNeed MoreDon't KnowNon-Respondent %
6th 5.80%31.88%15.94%42.03%4.35%
7th 7.41%30.00%24.29%34.29%4.01%
8th 11.43%25.71%18.57%41.43%2.86%
9th 1.33%48.00%21.33%22.67%6.67%
10th 3.66%35.37%19.51%37.80%3.66%
11th 5.66%37.74%18.87%33.96%3.77%
12th 9.52%33.33%23.81%33.33%0.01%
Minimum 1.33%25.71%15.94%22.67%0.01%
Maximum 11.43%48.00%24.29%42.03%6.67%
Mean
Percentage 6.40%34.58%20.33%35.07%3.62%
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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FINAL: November 16, 201043
8-5)
Community Program Numbers by Grade
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
Too ManyJust RightNeed MoreDon't Know
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Too ManyJust RightNeed MoreDon't KnowNon-Respondent %
6th 5.80%36.23%18.84%31.88%7.25%
7th 8.57%22.86%35.71%28.57%4.29%
8th 11.43%20.00%28.57%37.14%2.86%
9th 2.67%45.33%26.67%17.33%8.00%
10th 4.88%30.49%19.51%41.46%3.66%
11th 9.43%37.74%18.87%30.19%3.77%
12th 9.52%23.81%28.57%38.10%0.00%
Minimum 2.67%20.00%18.84%17.33%0.00%
Maximum 11.43%45.33%35.71%41.46%8.00%
Mean
Percentage 7.47%30.92%25.25%32.10%4.26%
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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FINAL: November 16, 201044
8-6)
Tutoring Numbers by Grade
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
Too ManyJust RightNeed MoreDon't Know
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Too ManyJust RightNeed MoreDon't KnowNon-Respondent %
6th 4.35%23.19%24.64%43.48%4.34%
7th 7.14%18.57%25.71%45.71%2.87%
8th 7.14%21.43%15.71%54.29%1.43%
9th 0.00%30.67%22.67%38.67%7.99%
10th 4.88%30.49%21.95%40.24%2.44%
11th 3.77%41.51%20.75%32.08%1.89%
12th 4.76%23.81%28.57%42.86%0.00%
Minimum 0.00%18.57%15.71%32.08%0.00%
Maximum 7.14%41.51%28.57%54.29%7.99%
Mean
Percentage 4.58%27.10%22.86%42.48%2.99%
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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FINAL: November 16, 201045
8-7)
Volunteering Numbers by Grade
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
Too ManyJust RightNeed MoreDon't Know
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Too ManyJust RightNeed MoreDon't KnowNon-Respondent %
6th 5.80%34.78%25.64%30.43%3.35%
7th 7.14%28.57%25.71%32.86%5.72%
8th 11.43%22.86%24.29%37.14%4.28%
9th 1.33%37.33%32.00%22.67%6.67%
10th 4.88%30.48%35.37%26.83%2.44%
11th 3.77%42.17%13.21%32.08%8.77%
12th 0.00%42.86%28.57%28.57%0.00%
Minimum 0.00%22.86%13.21%22.67%0.00%
Maximum 11.43%42.86%35.37%37.14%8.77%
Mean
Percentage 4.91%34.15%26.40%30.08%4.46%
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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FINAL: November 16, 201046
8-8)
Leadership Opportunities Numbers by Grade
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
Too ManyJust RightNeed MoreDon't Know
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Too ManyJust RightNeed MoreDon't KnowNon-Respondent %
6th 5.80%27.54%26.09%34.78%5.79%
7th 4.29%21.43%27.14%40.00%7.14%
8th 7.14%25.71%15.71%48.57%2.87%
9th 0.00%41.33%24.00%26.67%8.00%
10th 2.44%36.59%26.83%31.71%2.43%
11th 5.66%41.51%13.21%35.85%3.77%
12th 0.00%28.57%33.33%33.33%4.77%
Minimum 0.00%21.43%13.21%26.67%2.43%
Maximum 7.14%41.51%33.33%48.57%8.00%
Mean
Percentage 3.62%31.81%23.76%35.84%4.97%
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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FINAL: November 16, 201047
8-9)
Church Group Numbers by Grade
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
Too ManyJust RightNeed MoreDon't Know
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
TooManyJust RightNeed MoreDon't KnowNon-Respondent %
6th 13.04%28.99%14.49%37.68%5.80%
7th 21.43%37.14%12.86%25.71%2.86%
8th 21.43%21.43%5.71%48.57%2.86%
9th 20.00%40.00%4.00%28.00%8.00%
10th 21.95%23.17%7.32%45.12%2.44%
11th 22.64%32.08%9.43%28.30%7.55%
12th 19.04%23.81%14.29%38.10%4.76%
Minimum 13.04%21.43%4.00%25.71%2.44%
Maximum 22.64%40.00%14.49%48.57%8.00%
Mean
Percentage 19.93%29.52%9.73%35.93%4.90%
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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FINAL: November 16, 201048
8-10)A large percentageof 12th graders believe more military programs are needed. Most 12th
graders say they have never participated in a military program.
Military Program Numbers by Grade
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
Too ManyJust RightNeed MoreDon't Know
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Too ManyJust RightNeed MoreDon't KnowNon-Respondent %
6th 7.25%11.59%17.39%60.87%2.90%
7th 11.43%10.00%15.71%57.14%5.72%
8th 12.86%8.57%14.29%60.00%4.28%
9th 4.00%21.33%17.33%48.00%9.34%
10th 4.88%13.41%14.63%64.63%2.45%
11th 9.43%15.09%7.55%58.49%9.44%
12th 4.76%4.76%38.10%47.62%4.76%
Minimum 4.00%4.76%7.55%47.62%2.45%
Maximum 12.86%21.33%38.10%64.63%9.44%
Mean
Percentage 7.80%12.11%17.86%56.68%5.56%
9)8th graders want the most activities overall, averaging at 5.2, well above the other years which
generally average between 4and 4.5.11th graders want the fewest, with an average of 3.5. In all
cases, a twenty-four hour internet café is most wanted, but the second most wanted varies
between grades. For 6th graders, it is an arts and crafts shop, and for 7th graders, it is a youth
advertising section in the newspaper. 8th graders would like another bookshop, 9th graders are
also in favor of an arts and crafts shop, 10th and 11th graders support an Ultimate Frisbee team
and 12th graders prefer the youth newspaper section
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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FINAL: November 16, 201049
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Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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FINAL: November 16, 201050
6thNumberPercent of Grade7thNumberPercent of Grade
Café3956.52%Café3854.29%
Arts and Crafts Shops 39 56.52%Newspaper Section 37 52.86%
Bookshop2942.03%Arts and Crafts Shops3245.71%
Newspaper Section 28 40.58%Other 32 45.71%
Bike Club2739.13%Bookshop2637.14%
Kayak Club 23 33.33%Kayak Club 24 34.29%
Ultimate Frisbee Team2231.88%Bike Club2231.43%
Other 22 31.88%Community Center 22 31.43%
Youth Co-op Garden2028.99%Ultimate Frisbee Team2028.57%
Community Center 18 26.09%Youth Co-op Garden 19 27.14%
Tutoring Center1420.29%Tutoring Center1115.71%
Total281283
Mean # of Activities4.074.04
8thNumberPercent of Grade9thNumberPercent of Grade
Café5781.43%Café4762.67%
Bookshop 43 61.43%Arts and Crafts Shops 34 45.33%
Ultimate Frisbee Team3448.57%Bookshop2938.67%
Newspaper Section 34 48.57%Tutoring Center 29 38.67%
Community Center3347.14%Ultimate Frisbee Team2938.67%
Arts and Crafts Shops 33 47.14%Kayak Club 28 37.33%
Kayak Club3245.71%Newspaper Section2837.33%
Bike Club 31 44.29%Youth Co-op Garden 27 36.00%
Youth Co-op Garden2840.00%Community Center2432.00%
Tutoring Center 24 34.29%Bike Club 23 30.67%
Other1622.86%Other810.67%
Total365306
Mean # of Activities5.214.08
10thNumberPercent of Grade11thNumberPercent of Grade
Café5263.41%Café2954.72
Ultimate Frisbee Team 37 45.12%Ultimate Frisbee Team 24 45.28
Newspaper Section3745.12%Newspaper Section1935.85
Arts and Crafts Shops 34 41.46%Bookshop 17 32.08
Bookshop3340.24%Arts and Crafts Shops1630.19
Youth Co-op Garden 28 34.15%Bike Club 14 26.42
Bike Club2732.93%Youth Co-op Garden1426.42
Kayak Club 27 32.93%Tutoring Center 13 24.53
Tutoring Center2125.61%Kayak Club1324.53
Community Center 17 20.73%Community Center 13 24.53
Other1518.29%Other1222.64
Total328184
Mean # of Activities4.003.47
12thNumberPercent of Grade
Café1571.43%
Newspaper Section 11 52.38%
Other1047.62%
Bike Club 8 38.10%
Kayak Club838.10%
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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FINAL: November 16, 201051
Tutoring Center 7 33.33%
Ultimate Frisbee Team733.33%
Youth Co-op Garden 7 33.33%
Bookshop628.57%
Community Center 6 28.57%
Arts and Crafts Shops628.57%
Total91
Mean # of Activities 4.33
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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FINAL: November 16, 201052
APPENDIX C: Full Text of Survey
Youth Programs & Services in the City of Port Townsend:
Opinion Survey
What do you think? We’d really like to know…
Please Note:
There are several surveys already distributed/soon to be distributed:
The Healthy Youth Survey and the Parks and Recreation Survey are
DIFFERENT from this survey. So please take this one, OK?
Why are we doing this???
WE NEED YOUR HELP! The city of Port Townsend would really like to know
your ANONYMOUS opinion on the best way to provide programs and activities
that people your age would use and enjoy. When you fill out the survey, you will
help shape future activities, programs and service offerings for our town.
Who can take this survey???
Only students currently in grade 6 through 12 can take the survey….and you can
only take itonce!
OK, I’m in….how long will it take? …and what’s in it for me?
It will take approximately tento fifteenminutes to complete the survey.
Thank you for participating!
Remember, your ANONYMOUS opinion is very important!
Please circle youranswer for each of the following questions:
1) Which grade are you in?
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
2) Are you:
MaleFemale
3) At present do you attend:
Public
School
Jefferson
Community School
Home
School
Private SchoolICE
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FINAL: November 16, 201053
4) In the followingtable please indicate how often you participate in OR
have participated in the following activities. If not much or never, please
use the last column to explain why?
Activity Examples How often? (circle one) If not much or
never, why not?
Team sports All athletics
(including
school & select
teams)
A. Often (weekly)
B. Some (once a month)
C. Not much (few times/year)
D. Never
A. Not interested
B. Cost too much
C. Can’t get there
D. Not sure what it is
E. Other_______
Individual
Sports
Dance,
Gymnastics,
Skate park
A. Often (weekly)
B. Some (once a month)
C. Not much (few times/year)
D. Never
A. Not interested
B. Cost too much
C. Can’t get there
D. Not sure what it is
E. Other_______
School
Clubs
NHS, ASB, Key
Club,
Knowledge
Bowl, Drama,
etc.
A. Often (weekly)
B. Some (once a month)
C. Not much (few times/year)
D. Never
A. Not interested
B. Cost too much
C. Can’t get there
D. Not sure what it is
E. Other_______
Other clubs 4H,
Scouts(Boys/
Girls/Sea)etc.
A. Often (weekly)
B. Some (once a month)
C. Not much (few times/year)
D. Never
A. Not interested
B. Cost too much
C. Can’t get there
D. Not sure what it is
E. Other_______
Community
Program
Rotary, Kiwanis
Club etc.
A. Often (weekly)
B. Some (once a month)
C. Not much (few times/year)
D. Never
A. Not interested
B. Cost too much
C. Can’t get there
D. Not sure what it is
E. Other_______
Tutoring National Honor
Society
A. Often (weekly)
B. Some (once a month)
C. Not much (few times/year)
D. Never
A. Not interested
B. Cost too much
C. Can’t get there
D. Not sure what it is
E. Other_______
Volunteering Community,
Expedition Club
etc.
A. Often (weekly)
B. Some (once a month)
C. Not much (few times/year)
D. Never
A. Not interested
B. Cost toomuch
C. Can’t get there
D. Not sure what it is
E. Other_______
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Activity Examples How often? (circle one) If not much or
never, why not?
Leadership
opportunity
Interact A. Often (weekly)
B. Some (once a month)
C. Not much (few times/year)
D. Never
A. Not interested
B. Cost too much
C. Can’t get there
D. Not sure what it is
E. Other_______
Church
group
A. Often (weekly)
B. Some (once a month)
C. Not much (few times/year)
D. Never
A. Not interested
B. Cost too much
C. Can’t get there
D. Not sure what it is
E. Other_______
Military
Program
A. Often (weekly)
B. Some (once a month)
C. Not much (few times/year)
D. Never
A. Not interested
B. Cost too much
C. Can’t get there
D. Not sure what it is
E. Other_______
5) Did wemiss any? Please list any other activities that you participate in or
have participated in that are not in the table above. How often you do them?
6) Do you spend time at any of the following places? Why or why not?
Circle one Why or Why not?
Boiler Room A. Often (weekly)
B. Some (once a month)
C. Not much (few times/year)
D. Never
Community
Center
A. Often (weekly)
B. Some (once a month)
C. Not much (few times/year)
D. Never
Pool A. Often (weekly)
B. Some (once a month)
C. Not much (few times/year)
D. Never
Wooden Boat
Foundation/
Northwest
Maritime Center
A. Often (weekly)
B. Some (once a month)
C. Not much (few times/year)
D. Never
Skate Park A. Often (weekly)
B. Some (once a month)
C. Not much (few times/year)
D. Never
Circle one Why or Why not?
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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FINAL: November 16, 201055
Other Parks (like
Chetzemoka or
Fort Worden)
A. Often (weekly)
B. Some (once a month)
C. Not much (few times/year)
D. Never
YMCA A. Often (weekly)
B. Some (once a month)
C. Not much (few times/year)
D. Never
7) When is a good time to offer programs and services?
GoodOkayBad
After-School
Before-School
Weekends
During the
Summer
8) We are interested to know your thoughtsabout the number of programs
in your community. Check (¥) one for each category.
Too
Many
Just
Right
Need
More
Don’t
Know
Comments
Team Sports
Individual Sports
(Dance,
gymnastics,
boating etc.)
School Clubs
Other Clubs
Community
programs
Tutoring
Volunteering
Leadership
opportunity
Church group
Military program
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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FINAL: November 16, 201056
9) Are there any programs or services not mentioned that you would like
offered in your community? From the following list, mark all that apply.
Check
(¥)
Comments
24 hr. coffee shops or internet
cafes
Bookshops and independent
businesses
Tutoring centers
An ultimate frisbee team
A bike club
A kayak club
Community centers
A youth-run co-op or
community garden
A section in thenewspaper
dedicated to advertising
upcoming youth activities etc.
Arts and crafts shops
Other (please explain):
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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FINAL: November 16, 201057
10) Check the two (2)best ways to provide information to you:
Newspaper
School announcement
Website
Flyers/posters
Email
Facebook/Myspace
Twitter
Other (please explain):
11) Additional comments and suggestions:
Thank you for completing the survey! Your time and consideration is
valued.
Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2014
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FINAL: November 16, 201058
APPENDIX D: Full Text of Final Comments
Please note: Original spelling and grammar in these comments have been preserved to the
best of the transcriber’s ability.
Sometimes kids just want to have fun in ways other than the ones adults come up
with
expand orgs in town that already offer activities
used to participate, don't anymore due to college
I feel like I'm doing it wrong
We need more fun places to go have fun
good survey
Dance places need more dance options
we need the Rec Center
WE NEED A MALL
Make things available for kids 8-13 where adults don't treat them like 2 yr old
idiots.
help old people
OPEN REC CENTER
open the Recreation Center
I don't think kids read websites or newspapers or flyers but the rest is cool
I think it would be nice if we had a place to practice volleyball or at least had a
place where volleyball activities could be held
I REALLY think the horse park would help the town a lot! PLEASE don't take
away the coffee shops. And make more places for people to hang out! There isn't
anywhere to go with friends sometimes…
I think the should have a free class of baking
Add Forever 21, this town is not just for turistist
I think this survey was a good idea, there's not that many fun things in this town
for children, and there's a lot of kids
you should add more fun things to this town so we have places to hang out and
will not get in trouble so much if we have things to do. P.S. I don't get in trouble
:)
Please make more hang out places for teenagers.
Port Townsend is a very boring place. We need more activities for kids to do. I
think we should get a teenager club for something to do ages 13-18, have dance
parties! DO IT!!!!
Just to think of stuff for older kids so they'll be more interested and not doing
drugs, ultimate frisbee's lame!!
More for the younger kids, ESPECIALLY teenagers.
Port Townsend is full of hippie people
Having a pool is a huge value for many people in our community
This town is basically meant for old people. Nothing fun. All the $ goes to
roadwork (roundabout) Why care for kids! Make the kids HAPPY =) NOT the
roadwork =( Why, why, why? WHY ROUNDABOUTS? HELP US Get FUN
PLEASE! Why weird art in the park? Why not a local artist? Not one from
Seattle. WE NEED YOUR HELP!!
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FINAL: November 16, 201059
This is an old people town. There are absolutely NO fun things to do. NONE! If
they want us to stay here in PT and grow and make a family here, we need a good
town. Everyone I know, and especially in the class discustion, wants to move
away from PT when they were older. I mean maybe opening up the rec center
would help, but that's not even appealing. You have to drive all the way to
SILVERDALE to do fun stuff. And WHY IN THE WORLD DID WE NEED
THOSE ROUNDABOUTS!? We could have actually spent the $ on usefull things
like a new pool. And a stupid piece of art that is a twin to a nut? Why is PT
getting this way? It's a beautiful town but it needs to get more appealing.
PLEASE, PLEASE, we need PT to change. You aren't supporting our town right.
We need more stuff for the kids like bowling, skating, and other things that appeal
to the teens and not the todlers! This is An Old People Town, because all this
money on the roads. I would have never been at the rec center much more, but it
was NOT appealing because there was nothing good to do. Why didn’t you pay a
local artist to make our nut?? Because they don't support our town because they
don't live HERE! This is BS!
This town is for the old people! We need something for the kids. We are spending
all the money on roadwork and stuff we don't need.
bring the Rec BACK
I think that we should open up the Rec Center again becayuse manyloved playing
there. I know a lot of people who went to Rec Center and now they are bored
every day. Also, I really think that their should be something fun to do here like a
bowling alley or a place to play mini golf or an equine center Everything here is
like all for old people. Their should be more fun things for kids.
The schedule of the High School should be changed instead of the middle school!
Like, now. Seriously. 1, 2, 3, NOSE! WE NEED A GAMESTOP!
more than beter to do carnival, need more cherch programs, more pool programs,
no more school and more hospitals and cops that achually care about the
community because the cops we have now are tarted and don't do a thaing. Biger
scat bord parck ples do all of what I asket I'll kiss you feet. Gut a mall wall mart
roller rink, beter bigger ice cream shop, stors, Berger King, Ice skat rink Bigger
pool more stors doller store tack out the rownd a Bouts
Thanks for the survey
Bring the ----------Rec Center Back Please! It was the only place I could have
fun Every Day! Every Single Day!
better places for the youth, where smoking and drinking is NOT allowed would be
nice! My neice and nephew are trying to learn to swim, they CAN't because last
time we went to the pool they were so cold that they got sick for over two weeks
it is a AWFUL POOL! We had a roller rink, we had a bowling ally. Now they are
wasting money on Dumb round-a-bouts not it’s just hard for people to get in and
out! People in this town make STUPID CHOICES!!!!
Open up the Rec Center!!!
This town is full of old stupid people with lots of money. Give something fun for
us to do. We don't care about roads and stuff our roads work. But in a bowling
alley. Need to open Rec Center! If the rec center was open not as many people
would do bad things. Its all your fault. Do fundraisers to save the rec center.. If
you do bring it back add a little bit more more stuff. This town is getting more and
more less kid friendly. Stop killing people. You are horrible for doing this.
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FINAL: November 16, 201060
I suggest that the town stops closing fun places (the bowling alley, rec-center,
Hollywood Video, ect.) to make room for stupid community/hippy places such as
the Co-op. And we should open our town to change and expansion such as bigger
businesses instead of overpriced community shops.
the rec senter. It makes me so (bad word) mad that you closed the rec center.
Reopen it.
our community needs more places for kids to hang out
please do reconsider. Open the recreational cetner back up and add more to it.
Kids need that place, especially for thesummer.
The town needs something big for kids to do. Like the roller skating rink there
used to be. It would easily be funded by all the skates. Something for all ages, fun,
active, not to expensive.
please to something about making boy scouts more known and why it's cool and
what you can do and stuff like that thx. =)
I don't know what I got out of this. My favorite thing to do is to write random
things on a survey
Bookshops!!!
Please think of the visual arts!
Unicorn!
give us things to do people need funthings to do and not to get into drugs
Get a mall PLEASE
less school please
rollerskating! Get a Mall!
I appreciate that you want my input :) thank you!
we need bowling, roller skating, other things like this. Not much to do in Port
Townsend right now
ourlittle towns has a lack of activity for our youth, this is a main reason for the
drug problem. We need something to keep us busy
the school should have a myspace or a facebook to post important things. Students
are on facebook or myspace much more than the school website
Open up the rec center for the summer. Turn on the water fountain at the courts in
front of the courthouse during the spring.
most of all of the programs mentioned we have in our community, but I think that
we should have more musical programs for students who are interested.
a place for nerds to congregate and do nerd things! See my suggestion above
I am glad I don't have to take this survey again
dance should be more appreciated in schools.
4:20
We have NOTHING in Port Townsend
most extracirricular things I don't have time for. I'm already involved in many
who is this?
I hope this helped!
more musical programs (not gay stuff either)
do things kids want to do, like a kid run youth group w/trips to seattle and stuf.
Why do a garden? That's not what anyone wants to do.
We need more things like bowling alley, skating rink, and more
this isn't going to help anything
seattle/Port Townsend Ferry
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FINAL: November 16, 201061
there is no proper place for hockey. There was much formation of a revolt against
ASB. They're on edge
round abouts should be destroyed. Round abouts go BOOM!
get rid of roundabouts. Give money to schools. Stop smoking so much weed.
Waist of my time,
SPREAD THE WORD
sports and clubs need more support. Pool and community center are important and
should be improved
get rid of the roundabouts
this survey was pointless and retarded!
PT is gay
more library activities
I think we should get more places for teens to go and hang.
We need a school choir. We need it. NEED IT. Mark my words. MARK THEM.
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Appendix D.
Appendix D. Acronyms and Glossary
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): A 1990 federal law designed to bring disabled
Americans into the economic mainstream by providing them equal access to jobs,
transportation, public facilities, and services.
AQ: Acquisition
Arterial, minor: A street with signals at important intersections and stop signs on the side
streets and that collects and distributes traffic to and from collector streets.
Arterial, major: A street with access control, channelized intersections, restricted parking, and
that collects and distributes traffic to and from minor arterials.
CDBG: Community Development Block Grant
census block: the smallest geographic unit used by the United States Census for tabulation of
100-percent data.
CIP: Capital Improvement Program: A plan for future capital expenditures which identifies each
capital project, its anticipated start and completion, and allocates existing funds and known
revenue sources over a six-year period.
Comprehensive Plan: A generalized coordinated policy statement of the governing body of a
city that is adopted pursuant to the Washington State Growth Management Act (Chapter
36.70A RCW). A document or series of documents prepared by a professional planning
staff and planning commission that sets forth guidelines and policies for the future
development of a community. Such a plan should be the result of considerable public input,
study, and analysis of existing physical, economic, environmental and social conditions, and
a projection of likely future conditions.
Critical Areas: Wetlands, aquifer recharge areas, fish and wildlife habitat areas, frequently
flooded areas, geologically hazardous areas, and rare/endangered plant habitat areas that
every county and city in the state are required to classify, designate, and regulate to protect,
under the GMA.
CT Pipeline: The CT pipeline refers to the City’s pipeline project constructed in the late 1980’s to
increase chlorine contact time thereby bringing the City’s water system into compliance with
the Surface Water Treatment Rule and the Agreed Order with the Department of
Health.Detention: The process of collecting and holding back stormwater for delayed
release to receiving waters.
DNR: Department of Natural Resources
DOH: Department of Health
Easement: A right or privilege that a person may have on another’s land, such as a right-of-
way.
Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA): Those areas, designated, mapped and regulated by
environmentally sensitive area regulations. These areas have existing site conditions which
require development standards to minimize specific on-site and off-site adverse
environmental impacts including stream siltation, hill-slides, and reduction of wildlife habitat.
ESAs include wetlands, riparian corridors, steep slopes, slide-prone areas, areas subject to
liquefaction, known-slide hazard areas, hazardous waste sites, floodplains, and wildlife
habitat areas.
FTE: Full Time Equivalent
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Appendix D.
GMA: Growth Management Act: Washington State House Bill 2929 adopted in 1990, amended
by House Bill 1025 in 1991, and codified largely within Chapter 36.70A RCW.HUD: Housing
and Urban Development
Household: A household includes all the persons who occupy a housing unit. The occupants
may be a single family, one person living alone, two or more families living together, or any
other group of related or unrelated persons who share living arrangements.
IAC: Interagency Committee on Outdoor Recreation (former name for RCO)
Impact Fee: Charges levied by a city or county against new development for a pro-rata share of
the capital costs of facilities necessitated by the development. The Growth Management
Act authorizes imposition of impact fees on new development, and sets the conditions under
which they may be imposed.
LID: Low Impact Development
Local Improvement District (LID): A quasi-governmental organization formed by landowners to
finance and construct a variety of physical infrastructure improvements beneficial to its
members.
LOS: Level-of-Service: A qualitative rating of how well some unit of transportation supply or
other public facility or service (e.g., street, intersection, sidewalk, bikeway, transit route,
water, and sewer) meets current or projected demand.
LWCF: Land and Water Conservation Fund
MPD: Metropolitan Parks District
MR: Major Repairs and Site Improvements
NMTAB: Non-motorized Transportation Advisory Board
NRPA: National Recreation and Parks Association
OFM: State Office of Financial Management
OlyCAP: Olympic Community Action Program
Open Space: Land or water area with its surface open to the sky or predominantly
undeveloped, which is set aside to serve the purposes of providing park and recreation
opportunities, conserving valuable resources, and structuring urban development and form.
The term "open space" is often further divided into the following categories:
a. Common Open Space: Space that my be used by all occupants of a residential complex
(note: parking areas and driveways do not qualify as open space);
b. Landscaped Open Space: An outdoor area including natural or planted vegetation in the
form of hardy trees, shrubs, grass, evergreen ground cover and/or flowers;
c. Private Open Space: Usable outdoor space directly accessible to a unit, with use
restricted to the occupants of that unit; and
d. Usable Open Space: Usable open space is an outdoor area which is of appropriate
size, shape and siting to provide for recreational activity. Usable open space may be
occupied by sculpture, fountains or pools, benches or other outdoor furnishings, or by
recreational facilities such as playground equipment, swimming pools, and game courts.
Overlay Zone: A zoning district that encompasses one or more underlying zones and that
imposes additional requirements above that required by the underlying zone. In Port
Townsend, examples include, the National Register Historic District, the Gateway Corridor,
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Appendix D.
and the Urban Waterfront District. (Comment: Overlay zones deal with special situations in
a municipality that are not appropriate to a specific zoning district or apply to several
districts. For example, in all business zones, an overlay provision might require impact fees
to provide for traffic improvements or an historic district overlay may cover parts of several
zones).PD: Park Development
PDA: Public Development Authority
PRTAB: Parks, Recreation and Trees Advisory Board
PUD: Planned Unit Development or Public Utility District
Recreation, Active: Leisure-time activities, usually of a formal nature and often performed with
others, requiring formal equipment and taking place at prescribed places, sites, or fields.
(Comment: The term active recreation is more a word of art than one with a precise
definition. It obviously includes swimming, tennis and other court games, baseball and other
field sports, track, and playground activities. There is a legitimate difference of opinion as to
whether park use, per se, may be considered active recreation, although obviously some
parks contain activity areas that would qualify.)
Recreation, Passive: Activities that involve relatively inactive or less energetic activities, such
as walking, sitting, picnicking, card games, chess, checkers, and similar table games.
(Comment: The reason for the differentiation between active and passive recreation is their
potential impacts on surrounding land uses. Passive recreation can also mean space for
nature walks and observation.)
RCO: Recreation and Conservation Office
RCW: Revised Code of Washington
Right-of-Way: Land in which the state, county, or city owns the fee simple title or has an
easement dedicated or required for a transportation or utility use. The right-of-way is the
right to pass over the property of another. It refers to a strip of land legally established for
the use of pedestrians, vehicles or utilities.SEPA: State Environmental Policy Act
State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA): The state law passed in 1971 requiring state and local
agencies to consider environmental impacts in the decision-making process (codified at
Chapter 43.21C RCW). A Determination of Environmental Significance (DS) must be made
for all nonexempt projects or actions which require a permit, license or decision from a
government agency. If the action does not have significant adverse environmental impacts,
a Declaration of Non Significance (DNS) is issued. If the action or project could have major
impacts, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required. SEPA requires
consideration of alternatives and mitigation of environmental impacts for major public and
private projects and programs.
Urban Growth Areas (UGAs): Areas where urban growth will be encouraged. Counties and
cities cooperatively establish the urban growth areas, and cities must be located inside
urban growth areas. Once the UGAs are established, cities cannot annex land outside the
urban growth area. Growth outside of urban growth areas must be rural in nature.
Watershed: The geographic region within which water drains into a particular river, stream, or
body of water. A watershed includes hills, lowlands, and the body of water into which the
land drains.
WWRP LP: Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program - Local Parks
Zoning Map: The official Land Use Map which classifies all land within the city with one of the
land uses.
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Appendix D.
6(f)(3): Reference to Section 6(f)(3) of the Federal Land and Water Conservation Act of 1965.
Section 6(f)(3) of the LWCF Act contains strong provisions to protect Federal investments
and the quality of assisted resources. The Section reads, “No property acquired or
developed with assistance under this section shall, without the approval of the Secretary, be
converted to other than public outdoor recreation uses. The Secretary shall approve such
conversion only if he finds it to be in accord with the then existing comprehensive statewide
outdoor recreation plan and only upon such conditions as he deems necessary to assure
the substitution of other recreation properties of at least equal fair market value and of
reasonably equivalent usefulness and location.”
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Appendix E.
Appendix E. References
2012 City Park Facts (2012) The Trust for Public Land (http://tpl.org/cityparkfacts).
345-271 Chronic Disease Profile - Jefferson County (2012) Washington State Department of
Health
345-291 Obesity in Washington State (2009) Washington State Department of Health.
http://www.ofm.wa.gov. Office of Financial Management
http://parkscore.tpl.org/ Trust for Public Land Park Score (accessed 22jan14)
http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2013/12_0252.htm
http://www.census.gov. US Census data, 1980 - 2010
http://www.tpchd.org/page.php?id=2597. Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department page for
Research Evidence Linking Areas of Built Environment Intervention in Community Health
Outcome (accessed 22Jan14).
Blanck, H.M., et al. (2012) Let's Go to the Park Today: The Role of Parks in Obesity Prevention
and Improving the Public's Health. Childhood Obesity 12:423-428.
City of Dreams: A Guide to Port Townsend (1986) P. Simpson, ed. Bay Press, 330 pp.
Fulton, W. (2012) Financing the Future: The Critical Role of Parks in Urban and Metropolitan
Infrastructure. NRPA, Urban Institute and National League of Cities. 8 pp.
Irvine KN, Warber SL, Devine-Wright P, Gaston KJ (2013) Understanding urban green space as
a health resource: a qualitative comparison of visit motivation and derived effects among park
users in Sheffield, UK. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2013 Jan 22;10(1):417-42. doi:
10.3390/ijerph10010417.
Krohe, James Jr. “Park Standards Are Up in the Air,” Planning. December 1990.
National Recreation and Parks Association (1983) Recreation, Park and Open Space Standards
and Guidelines.
Olympic Community Action Program (2013) 2013 Community Needs Assessment - Clallam and
Jefferson County, Washington.
Port Townsend Non-Motorized Transportation Plan
https://weblink.cityofpt.us/WebLink8/DocView.aspx?id=61902&&dbid=0
Planning for Parks, Recreation, and Open Space in Your Community (2005) Washington State
Department of Community Trade and Economic Development, Interagency Committee for
Outdoor Recreation.
Recreation and Conservation Office (2011) Manual 2, Planning Policies and Guidelines.
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