HomeMy WebLinkAbout052824 PRTTAB Meeting Packet
PARKS, RECREATION,TREES, & TRAILS ADVISORY BOARD
Agenda
May 28, 2024|4:30 p.m. | Virtual or In Person Meeting
Join via computer or tablet at http://joinwebinar.com enter 9 digit Webinar ID 752-525-115
Join by phone in listen-only mode:(360)390-5064Ext. 3 access code: 699-128-175#
Submit public comment to be included in the meeting record to:
https://publiccomment.fillout.com/cityofpt
If you are experiencing technical difficulties, please attempt all methods listed above before
reporting any issues to: clerksupport@cityofpt.us
Welcome, Introduction & Call to Order- Chair Debbie Jahnke
Good afternoon and welcome to this meeting of the Port Townsend Parks, Recreation, Trees & Trails
Advisory Board. The role of this Board is to assist City staff and to advise the City Council on
legislative matters concerning parks, recreation, trees and trails.
This meeting is open to the public at the City Council Chambers, virtually via this web format, and is
also being video recorded for those who could not attend the meeting today and for future
reference. Given that this meeting is in virtual format, we ask that the board members raise their
hands to be called on by the Chair. The public can do the same to comment during the public
comment periods. We take public comment at the beginning and end of the meeting.
I. Roll Call:
Welcome Richard
II. Approval of Agenda/Changes to Agenda:
III. Approval of Minutes:
IV. Public Comment (3 minutes per person/agenda items only):
V. Old Business (60 minutes)
A. PROS Plan update (Carrie Hite and Michael Todd)
1.Port Townsend Golf Park
th
2.12 and Hancock
B. Discovery Road update and possible plant substitution (Laura Parsons)
C. Tyler and Lawrence Street Project – Planting plan update (Robin and Richard , Steve, Laura)
D. Tree subcommittee update (Robin, Debbie, Russ, Richard)
VI. New Business (20 min)
1
A. Park Name Recommendation (Steve)
1.Port Townsend Golf Park
B.Dog Park update(Dena Odell)
C. Landmark Tree Application (Sharing application for the June meeting)
VII. Staff update– (10 min)
A. Operations – Michael
B. Pool process update - Carrie
VII. Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting: June 25, 2024
VIII. Public Comment:
IX. Adjourn:
2
PARKS, RECREATION, TREES, & TRAILS ADVISORY BOARD
Agenda
April23, 2024| 4:30 p.m. | Virtual or In Person Meeting
enter 9 digit Webinar ID 752-525-115
Join via computer or tablet at http://joinwebinar.com
Join by phone in listen-only mode: (360)390-5064 Ext. 3 access code: 699-128-175#
Submit public comment to be included in the meeting record to:
https://publiccomment.fillout.com/cityofpt
If you are experiencing technical difficulties, please attempt all methods listed above before
reporting any issues to: clerksupport@cityofpt.us
Welcome, Introduction & Call to Order - Chair Debbie Jahnke
Good afternoon and welcome to this meeting of the Port Townsend Parks, Recreation, Trees & Trails
Advisory Board. The role of this Board is to assist City staff and to advise the City Council on
legislative matters concerning parks, recreation, trees and trails.
This meeting is open to the publicat the City Council Chambers, virtually via this web format, and is
also being video recorded for those who could not attend the meeting today and for future
reference. Given that this meeting is in virtual format, we ask that the board members raise their
hands to be called on by the Chair. The public can do the same to comment during the public
comment periods. We take public comment at the beginning and end of the meeting.
I. Roll Call: Pam Adams, Russell Hill, Matt Miner, Jim Todd, Becci Kimball, Debbie Jahnke present,
Jennifer Rotermund excused.
II. Approval of Agenda/Changes to Agenda: no changes, approved by consensus
III. Approval of March 2024 Minutes: approved by consensus
IV. Public Comment (3 minutes per person/agenda items only): PRTTAB received two written public
comments, both regarding the 12th and Hancock parcel, expressing concern about protecting
habitat and other issues.
V. Old Business (60 min)
A. WSU Involvement in USDA and DNR grants and capacity building (Emma Bolin, Steve King,
Robin Hill): WSU may help with capacity building as demonstrated in their raingarden
program; WSU is willing to help with our grants, in particular with public
outreach/engagement. Master Gardeners is an example of one of WSU's successful
programs. How do we build a community's capacity? WSU has a land grant mission, tailored
through Jefferson County, and raingarden program is a good model for neighborhood
outreach and engagement.
1
B. Tyler Street – Tree selection and planter options (Steve King, Robin Hill): We need to fix
tree problems on Tyler (and Lawrence) with the right trees, right places. Staff will make
recommendation to Council to use $13,000 of new Urban Forestry funds to help with tree
planting costs since Tyler grant does not pay for sidewalk and street trees. Perhaps we will
put a large tree on the opposite side of Tyler. Trees on Lawrence will be replaced; if we grow
the 'temporary' trees in a manner that theycan be moved at a later date to a permanent
location. Trees in front of Finistere are destroying the sewer laterals; hornbeam wood is of
interest to the boat school. More information will be provided next month; both projects
need to be done in the next few months.
C.Report on Public Lands Commissioner visit to Sather Park regarding DNR grant (Debbie
Jahnke, Robin Hill):Commissioner Franz took a tour through Sather Woods to talk about the
challenges our parks and urban forests face and what our new grant proposes to accomplish.
We saw the areas impacted by what is thought to be laminated root rot, although testing
needs to confirm. The Sather neighbors have put immense effort into the park. Where ivy
once covered the ground and climbed the trees, we saw clouds of star flowers, Corallorhiza
maculata or coral root, a saprophytic orchid, and Pacific sanicle, Sanicula crassicaulis. The
saprophyte is common in undisturbed forests and decomposes woody debris, of which there
is plenty in the form of felled Douglas firs. (There is also a gorgeous madrone that needs to
be a landmark tree.) They are having to deal with the consequences of a serious overplanting
of ocean spray. One can have too much of a good thing when the goal is diversity. The
commissioner's group did not have time to walk through Bishop Park but promised to do so
at a later date.
Michael addressed the issue of removal of LRR-affected trees and using the wood for the
boat school, the kitchen shelter and other park projects. There is not much concern about
leaving behind root rot; generally leaving a perimeter and replanting with resistant species is
the solution. Jim asked about leaving snags for habitat. There was some concern about
limiting snag height.
VI. New Business (20 min)
PROS Plan updates relevant to RCO Grants due May 1 (Michael Todd, Steve King)
A.
1. Golf Park - Recommendation for addition of passive play, habitat protection, other
additions; these will need to be added to the PROS Plan, language needs to be added
before the second round at RCO. We would add trails and everything that is listed in
the new contract. Board will see language for proposed amendments at our May
meeting.
th
West side parks and 12 and Hancock - PROS Plan language is limited but no
2.
restrictions are listed in the plan. We would need to add nature play, trails, shelter to
the PROS Plan language for the site. Public was generally supportive at the public
event at the site. Site is R-IV so it will need to be rezoned or it would qualify for up to
48 housing units/acre. LOS must be for city-owned land so private parks and those
owned by other entities cannot be counted for level of service. Zoning change could
occur after the grant process. In the RCO process, sustainability and removal (or non-
introduction) of invasive species are important parameters. Quiet activities, with
benches and a picnic shelter are considered along with ADA trails. It was noted that
2
Kah Tai is an example of human access allowed in nature parks; Kah Tai is LWCF but
has a story walk, trails, benches, shelters. Unanimous agreementprovided by the
board to go forward; we will see a formal update next meeting.
B. Brief update on EverGreen Communities effort (Robin Hill, Debbie Jahnke): Robin and
Debbie volunteered to be on the EverGreen Communities Steering Committee, a restart of a
DNR effort that made it into the RCWs as the Evergreen Communities Act but was put on
hold in 2008 with the recession and rescinded when this new effort arose recently from DNR.
To be an EverGreen Community, a city needs all the Arbor Day qualifications, plus at least a
partial tree inventory. We have numerous disjointed tree inventories that we are trying to
consolidate. Robin noted that we have in house the technology to do a tree inventory. Logo
under development was shared, illustrating that dense housing and canopy are not mutually
exclusive.
VII. Staff update – (10 min)
A.Park Operations (Michael Todd)We are a month into the growing season; two seasonals
at work now plus one more soon; focus is on trails.Caretaker at Kah Tai is working well,
transientencampedonlyonce and issue wasquickly resolved.Becci suggestedan open house
or a piece on KPTZ or some sort of event to support the changes at Kah Tai. Golden Age is
under discussion; consultant will test for asbestos and lead paint. Becci suggested selling the
property, with discussion about cliff erosion; plan was mentioned for planting on the
Chetzemoka bluff after coppicing, perhaps adding a split rail fence and some deep-rooted
shrubs at a new line. Russell thanked staff for support at the dog park; staff thanked the
Adopt A Park group for support and work effort. Updates about Sims Way project: Port is
leading project for port side; on Kah Tai side, poplar thinning will proceed over time along the
ROW; PUD are waiting for Port to get permitting for tree removal. Public visitors queried
regarding a flyer (21 May posted at the Coop) about the tree work on 49th at 53rd approach
that would remove 24 Western redcedars. PUD must follow national electric code to deal
with trees that affect service/safety. Steve will check the site out.
Emma announced that our first Comprehensive Plan meeting is May 9, 6pm at the Legion.
VII. Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting: May 28, 2024
VIII. Public Comment: none
IX. Adjourn:5:43 pm
3
Vision,Parks
Final March2020
Acknowledgments
City Council Parks, Recreation & Community Services
David Faber
Department
Amy Howard
Carrie Hite, Parks Strategic Director
MonicaMickHager
Michael Todd, Parks and Facilities Manager
Owen Rowe
Bre Ganne, Lead Operator Parks
Ben Thomas
Shawn Wiles, Operator I - Parks
Aislinn Palmer
Lisa Titterness, Maintenance Worker - Parks
Libby Wennstrom
Brenda Burke, Crew Chief Facilities
Terry Kurtzbein, Maintenance Facilities
Parks, Recreationand Tree Advisory Board
Deborah Jahnke
Chan Hettle, Maintenance Worker Facilities
Jim Todd
Other Departments
Russel Hill
John Mauro, City Manager
Pamela Adams
Matt Miner
Jodi Adams, Finance and Administrative
Richard Hefley
Services Director
Planning Commission
Rich Gould, FinanceManager
Viki Sonntag
Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.03", Line spacing: Multiple
Emma Bolin, Developmental Services Director
1.1 li
Lois Stanford
Judy Surber, Planning Manager
Robert Doyle
Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.03", Line spacing: Multiple
Consultants
1.1 li, Pattern: Clear (Background 1)
Andreas Andreadis
BERK Consulting, Inc. (prime)
Samantha Bair Jones
HBB Landscape Architecture
Commented \[MT1\]: Wondering if we should update this
Neil Nelson
section as well...
Rick Jahnke
!
Special Thanks
A special thank you tothe numerous Port Townsendcommunity members and
stakeholder agencies whoprovided their time andthoughtful ideas to help the
City create this PROS Plan for 2020.
Contents
Executive Summary i
Purpose i
Why Parks and Trails? i
Community Engagement Themes ii
Inventory and Needs iii
System Plan v
Parks v
Trails ix
Funding andFacilities x
Funding x
Capital Facility Plan xiii
Management and Implementation xv
Plan Contents xvi
Vision & Foundation 1
CH. 1
Introduction and Purpose 1
Vision 2
Planning Process 3
PROS Plan Update 3
Relationship to Other Plans 3
Goals & Policies 13
CH. 2
Introduction 13
Comprehensive Plan - Land Use Element 13
Open Spaces & Trails 13
Parks and Recreation Facilities and Programs 16
Parks and Recreation Administration and Operations 19
Parks and Recreation Budget and Funding 19
Other Policies 20
Comprehensive Plan CapitalFacilities Element 20
Facilities & Programs Inventory 21
CH. 3
Introduction21
History 21
Port Townsend Recreation 21
Facilities 24
Parks 24
Trails 29
Facilities 31
Other Parks and Recreation Facilities 32
Recreation34
Maintenanceand Operations 35
Community Profile & Engagement 37
CH. 4
Community Profile 37
Age 37
Households 38
Diversity39
Income 40
Health Survey 41
Community Engagement 43
Vision Survey 44
Park Features and Priorities 46
Vision Themes 48
Demand & Need 51
CH. 5
Introduction51
Recreation Trends 51
Washington State and Peninsulas Region Participation Trends 51
NationalRecreationProgrammingandFacilityTrends52
Port Townsend Recreation Needs 53
Participation 54
City 55
Other Recreation Providers in Port Townsend Area 55
Future Growth and Change 58
Population Growth58
Tourism Trends 59
Gaps and Opportunities 59
Parks 59
Trails 61
Recreation 64
Benchmarks 65
Level of Service 69
Adopted Level of Service 69
Target LOS 70
Park & Recreation System Plan 75
CH. 6
Parks 75
GuidingPrinciples75
Hierarchy of Parks 75
Minimum Standards/Allowable Features 79
Concept Plans 89
Special Use Facilities 100
Mountain View Pool 100
Port Townsend Golf CoursePark 101
Trails 102
Hierarchy 102
Walkway System103
Minimum Standards/Allowable Uses 105
Programs 108
Fundingand Facilities Plan 111
CH. 7
Operationsand Capital Funding 111
Historic and Projected Operations and Capital Revenue 111
Operations and Capital Revenue Funding Options 113
Programs and Cost Recovery 121
Capital Facility Plan 121
Implementation Strategies 127
CH. 8
Monitoring 127
Phasing 128
Partnership & Funding Opportunities 128
Volunteerism 128
Donations/Fund Raising 129
Asset Management 130
Routine Maintenance 130
Deferred Maintenance 131
Accessibility 131
Stewardship and Maintenance Plans 132
Environmental Conservation 132
Community Education & Promotion 133
Plan Coordination133
CH. 9 References 135
Appendices
Appendix A Park System Inventory Cut Sheets
Appendix B Community Engagement Results
Appendix C Open Space and Other Regional Assets
Appendix D Park Concept Cost Detail
Exhibits
Exhibit 1. PROS Plan Community Outreach andEngagement Efforts ii
Exhibit 2. Properties in a Half Mile of City, County, or State Parklands iv
Exhibit 3. Park Classifications Map vi
Exhibit 4. Park Classification Summary Definitions vii
Exhibit 5. Bobby McGarraugh Park Neighborhood Active Park viii
Exhibit 6. Funding and Financing Options Evaluation xi
Exhibit 7. Summary Capital Facility Plan Expenditure Type andSchedulexiv
Exhibit 8. CapitalBudget and Target Level of Service Per Capita Investment xiv
Exhibit 9. PROS Plan Update Schedule 3
Exhibit 10. Park Classification Summary Definitions 26
Exhibit 11. City, County, and State Parks 27
Exhibit 12. Parks Inventory with Classification and Park Size in Acres 28
Exhibit 13. Trail Inventory Feet and Miles, 2019 29
Exhibit 14. Trails by Zone 30
Exhibit 15. Port Townsend RecreationFacilities 31
Exhibit 16. Jefferson County Parks Facilities in Port Townsend 32
Exhibit 17. Schools and Recreational Facilities 33
Exhibit 18. Combined Facility Inventory: City, State, County, Schools 33
Exhibit 19. Youth Recreation Programming Landscape in Port Townsend 34
Exhibit 20. Adult Recreation Programming Landscape in Port Townsend 35
Exhibit 21. Maintenance and Operations Full Time and Seasonal Positions and Full-Time
Equivalents35
Exhibit 22. Age Distribution in 2010 and 2017 38
Exhibit 23. Persons Per Household 39
Exhibit 24. Household Income Shares 2010 and 2017 40
Exhibit 25. Vision & System Plan ParticipationSummary 43
Exhibit 26. Survey Participants: Frequency of Use 44
Exhibit 27. Top Recreation Activities 45
Exhibit 28. Survey Priorities How would you spend $100 All Respondents (n=589) 47
Exhibit 29. Vision Workshop: What do you want in your parks?47
Exhibit 30. Vision Themes 48
Exhibit 31. Top-10 Outdoor Recreation Activities for the Peninsulas Region by Rank, 2017 52
Exhibit 32. Top Planned Facilities and Programs by Rank, 2019 53
Exhibit 33. Future Port Townsend Recreation Programming Needs, All Respondents 53
Exhibit 34. Future Port Townsend Recreation Programming Needs, Youth Respondents 54
Exhibit 35. Participation in City of Port Townsend Recreation Programs 55
Exhibit 36. Participation in YMCA of Jefferson County Recreation Programming 55
Exhibit 37. Participation in Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Programming 56
Exhibit 38. Population Growth and Growth Target 58
Exhibit 39. Population Growth Rates 58
Exhibit 40. Properties in a Half Mile of City, County, or State Parklands 60
Exhibit 41. Potential Loop Trail 61
Exhibit 42. Better Use of Parks and Trails 63
Exhibit 43. Community Engagement Trail Improvement Requests 63
Exhibit 44. Peer Communities Reviewed 65
Exhibit 45. Total Acres per 1,000 Population 66
Exhibit 46. Trail Miles per 1,000 Population 67
Exhibit 47. Facility Benchmarking 67
Exhibit 48. Maintenance and Operations Expenditures per Acre of Managed Sites 68
Exhibit 49. Operating Expenses per Capita 2019 69
Exhibit 50. LOS Evaluation: Comprehensive Plan 7.6 Acres per 1,000 Population 70
Exhibit 51. Investment Per Capita 2019 72
Exhibit 52. Future Investment 2019-2036 72
Exhibit 53. Example Agency Annual Capital Investments 72
Exhibit 54. Maintenance Per Capita 201973
Exhibit 55. Park Classifications Map 76
Exhibit 56. Park Areas of Focus/Key Features 78
Exhibit 57. Community Parks 79
Exhibit 58. Neighborhood Parks 83
Exhibit 59. Downtown Parks85
Exhibit 60. Garden (Landscape) Parks 87
Exhibit 61. Special Use Parks 88
Exhibit 62. Key Features of Park ConceptPlans 89
Exhibit 63. Chetzemoka Park Concept 91
Exhibit 64. Kah Tai Lagoon ParkConcept 93
th
Exhibit 65. 35 Street Park Concept 95
Exhibit 66. Bobby McGarraugh Park Concept 97
Exhibit 67. Sather Park Concept 99
Exhibit 68. PortTownsend Loop Trail 104
Exhibit 69. Standard Detail Multi Use Trail 106
Exhibit 70. Standard Detail Neighborhood Connector and Undeveloped Shortcut 107
Exhibit 71. Recreation Program Cycle 109
Exhibit 72. Historic and ProjectedParks and Recreation Revenues, 2009 to 2036 (Nominal$) 112
Exhibit 73. Historic and Projected Parks and Recreation Cost Recovery, 2009 to 2036 (Nominal$)
113
Exhibit 74. Maximum Levy Amount, 2021-2024 (Nominal $) 115
Exhibit 75. Funding andFinancing Options Evaluation 119
Exhibit 76. Maintenance Objective: Deferred Maintenance and Capital Replacement123
Exhibit 77. Investment per Capita Objective: New Investments at ExistingParks 124
Exhibit 78. Equitable Access and Distribution Objective: Fill Gaps in Parks and Trails Network 125
Exhibit 79. Summary Capital Facility PlanExpenditure Type and Schedule 125
Exhibit 80. Capital Budget and Target Level of Service Per Capita Investment 126
Exhibit 81. Potential Monitoring Measures and Targets 127
Exhibit 82. Maintenance Appreciation Vision Survey 130
VISION,PARKS
ExecutiveSummary
PURPOSE
ThePort Townsend 2020 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan (PROS Plan) guides
Several
updates have been introduced in 2024and are within this document.
ThePROSPlan updateisessentialto maintain eligibilityforWashington State Recreation and
ConservationOffice(RCO)grants. ItisalsodesignedtomeettherequirementsoftheStateof
Washington Growth Management Act (GMA):
Designatethegenerallocationandextentoflandusesincludingrecreationandopenspace
lands;
Estimateparkandrecreationdemandforatleasta
This PROS Plan supports the
ten-year period; and
ComprehensivePlanVisiontocreate:
Identifylandsusefulforrecreation,includingwildlife
acommunitywithasenseofhistory
habitat, trails, and connection of critical areas;and place
aplacethatprizesitsnaturalsetting
Developacapitalfacilitiesplan(CFP)identifyingfunds
agreatplacetolive
necessarytoimplementtheplanforatleastasix-year
period.
ThegoalsandobjectivesinthisPROSPlanreflectthoseintheComprehensivePlan.
WHYPARKSAND TRAILS?
ParksandtrailsareessentialtoPortqualityoflife,andprovideopportunitiesfor:
Livingahealthyactivelifestyle,
Connectingwithfamiliesandthe communityatparkspacesand events,
Supportingthelocaleconomyandtourism,
i
EXECUTIVESUMMARY
Connectingwithnature,
Conservingfishandwildlifehabitatincluding waterqualityandwildlife
corridors, and
Balancingaging-in-
placeandcomingof
Providingtreecanopycontributingpositivelytoairqualityand
age in Port
Townsend
mitigating climate change.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTTHEMES
The PROS Plan Update is based on public outreach and engagement to
Indoor&Outdoor
Recreation for
helpdefineanewvision,needs,andactions. TheCityprovidedextensive
HealthyLifestyles
public input opportunities identified in Exhibit 1.
Exhibit1.PROSPlanCommunityOutreachandEngagementEfforts
TIMEFRAMEACTIVITYPARTICIPANTS
Access,navigability,
October2019Survey927
andsafety
Postcards277
VisionEvent:Stakeholders22
VisionEvent:MiddleSchool90
VisionEvent:OpenHouse93
VisionEvent:MVPPosterCommentsUndetermined
November2019
SystemPlanEvent:Staff&ParksBoard19
SystemPlanEvent:PublicWorkshop70
Greenspaces
January-March2020PublicMeetingsandHearings 39
commentletters
PRTAB: 2
Planning Commission: 2
City Council: 2
Source:BERKConsulting,2019.
Specialization,
flexibility, versatility,
EngagementresultsrevealedseveralVisionThemesforPort
andcreative
partnerships
ParksandRecreationSystemcarriedforwardinthePROSPlan:
Balancing aginginplace and comingofage inPortTownsend
Indoorandoutdoorrecreationforhealthylifestyles
Access,navigability,andsafety
Greenspaces
Specialization,flexibility,versatilityandcreativepartnerships
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020 PROSPLAN| VISION,PARKSii
EXECUTIVESUMMARY
ThesePROSPlanVisionThemesareconsistentwiththeComprehensivePlanVisiontoensure
Port Townsend is great place to live, with a sense of place, that prizes its natural setting.
ParksandTrail
EconomicValues
INVENTORYANDNEEDS
Port Townsend manages about 189.2 acres of parkland
systemwasworthover$650millionwith
and 26 properties ranging from street end retreats to
value contributions including:
extensiveopenspacestoactiverecreationareasthatserve
Directusevalue
much larger areas. Port Townsend also manages over 31
Additionalpropertysalesvaluerepark
proximity
miles of trails largely on unimproved rights of way. The
Healthvalue
Profitfrompark-relatedtourism
playgrounds,picnicsheltersandbenches,paths,and
Taxreceipts:increasedpropertyvalue
special facilities such as dog parks.
Communitycohesionvalue
Taxreceipts:increasedtourismvalue
Stormwatermanagementvalue
provide7.6acresofparklandper1,000populationabout7
~TrustforPublicLand,2011
acres of developed parks would be needed by 2036.
Consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, this measure
Value increase to homes located within
1,500feetofthefollowingtypesofparks:
excludesthegolfcourseparkandwetland/waterareasof
NaturalAreas:$10,648
Kah Tai Lagoon. If the golf courseparkwere broadly
GolfCourseParks:$8,849
available for public use the deficit of acres could be
SpecialtyParks:$5,657
reversed.
UrbanParks:$1,214
largely meets the
~ActiveLivingResearch,May2010
needs of the community today, and there is ample
parklandprovidedatFortWordenandrecreationofferings
through County facilities, there are gaps in neighborhood parkland access in the west or
southwestofthecommunity. SeeExhibit2.Ensuringthereisparklandinproximitytoamajority
of residents was highly supported in survey results.
Toaddresssystemgapsandneeds,thePlanestablishesatargetlevelofserviceorobjectivesto
provide for:
EquitableAccessandDistribution
Functionthrough:
aPerCapitaInvestmentinCapitalFacilities,and
aPerCapitaorperAcre InvestmentinMaintenance.
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020 PROSPLAN| VISION,PARKSiii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Exhibit 2. Properties in a Half Mile of City, County, or State Parklands
Source: Jefferson County Assessor, Port Townsend GIS, BERK 2020.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS iv
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
SYSTEM PLAN
Guiding principles have been established to steer the focus and the growth of the Port
Townsend parks and recreation system. These principles are to work in concert with theVision
Themes and are incorporated throughout the PROS plan update to best meet the needs of the
community.
Address deferred maintenance and critical maintenance needs.
Developpark stewardship and master plans to guide investments.
Invest in existing parks to meet community desires (or demands, needs,etc.) and address
expected growth.
Achieve equitable access and distribution by filling in gaps in central and western Port
Townsend through improved trails, partnerships, and targeted acquisitions.
Parks
Parks areclassified based on theirfunction and service area:
Community Park
Neighborhood Park
Downtown Park
Garden Park
Special Use Park
Park sub-classifications include or and are combined with Community and
Neighborhood Parks.
Classified parks are mapped onExhibit 3. Summary definitions follow in Exhibit 4.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS v
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Exhibit 3. Park Classifications Map
Source: BERK 2019.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS vi
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Exhibit 4. Park Classification Summary Definitions
Classification Summary Definition
Primary Classes
Community Park Community Parks are larger parks providing a variety of major recreation facilities, open space,
and/or recreation programming, serve multiple neighborhoods and are a generally treated as a
destination for visitors. Community Parks often reflect a shared community identity and offer
flexibility across recreation and programming types throughout the year. Their size and range of
offerings attract visitors and neighbors who may travel from further distances and stay longer
periods of time, requiring more allowance and provisions for parking, seating, restrooms and family
support amenities. Sub-classes identify if the park is more Active or Nature focused.
Neighborhood Park Neighborhood Parks are smaller than Community Parks and intended for frequent and convenient
access to basic recreation activities and opportunities. These parks best serve nearbyresidents and
visitors in less formal or organized recreation and leisure. Neighborhood Parks provide open space
values. They are less suited for longer stays, heavily programmed activities, or larger rental or
permit-required spaces. These parks prioritize open space over parking and encourage visitation
through pedestrian and bike networks. Sub-classes identify if the park is more Active or Nature
focused.
Downtown Park Downtown Parks are located in the downtown/uptown urban core and provide plazas and urban
community gathering and special event spaces, waterfront or shoreline access, art and cultural
facilities, or picnic or other passive enjoyment facilities. In some instances, Downtown Parks serve
the needs met by neighborhood parks for residents living in the urban core. These parks may be
referenced in other Comprehensive and Subarea Plans as Urban Pocket Parks, the 2014
Classification.
Garden parks include medians, gateways, rights of way, and small greenspaces, with ornamental
Garden Park
plantings, trees and sometimes limited amenities such asa bench or interpretive signage. They are
small in size and may only provide a visual buffer or beautification enhancement to the urban or
other environment that surrounds them.
Special Use Park Special Use Parks are designed for specialized or single-purpose recreation activities. These purposes
may include golf courseparks, marinas,sportcomplexes, community and aquatic centers, historical
areas, nature centers, conservatories, amphitheaters, or other purposes. These parks typically offer a
narrower range of recreation uses or amenities. This classification can be combined with others.
Sub-Classes
Nature This sub-classification identifies parks where the primary purposes include nature and wildlife habitat
conservation, passive recreation such as trails and viewpoints, and educational and cultural
appreciation elements. Intensive areas of development are limited based on the environmental
characteristics of the park.
This sub-classification identifies parks that are designed for frequent and convenient access to
Active
recreation activitiesand opportunities such as family activities(picnic, gathering), active recreation
(play, sports, other), and passive recreation (trails, open lawn/turf, informal activity). These parks
would also contribute open space and environmental values.
Source: City of Port Townsend, BERK, 2019.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS vii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Each park should be improved over timeto achieve minimum standards or offer allowed uses
to meet the needs of the community and to provide for consistent and sustainable
management and maintenance.
The PROS Plan includes example concept plans identifying how different parks could be
improved over time; these are meant to provide broad illustrations of amenities. Master plans
and stewardship plans would be prepared for parks and may differ. An example concept plan
for Bobby McGarraugh Park follows.
Exhibit 5. Bobby McGarraugh Park Neighborhood Active Park
Source: HBB Landscape Architecture, 2019.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS viii
EXECUTIVESUMMARY
Typically
been applied to existing city, county, and state-owned parks, recreation areas, and city-owned
orcontrolledlandswhichprovidevaluablenaturalandopenspaceInadditiontothe
including allowable uses, bulk, and dimensional standards.
HealthandWell-Being
Port Townsend has a very strong inclination toward well-being and good health. The natural surroundings that
embrace the town alongwith theparks systemarea major focus for everyday activities and commerce. Citizens
benefit from time spent outside in natural surroundings as found in the literature regarding the benefits ofsuch
practices as shinrin-yoku, or forest-bathing. Studies have demonstrated that time spent passively in nature
decreasesbloodpressure,heartrate,cortisolandotherstresshormoneswhileboostingimmunesystemfactors.
White et al. (2019) demonstrate with a subject pool of nearly 20,000 participants that the increase in the
subjective feelings of good health and well-being is significantly correlated with time spent in nature, with no
apparent additional benefit from active recreation. Peak perceptions of good health and well-being occurred at
>120minutesperweek,whetherasasinglevisitorseveralshortervisits.
~(AssociationofNatureandForestTherapyGuidesandPrograms,2019)(White,2019)
Trails
Withahistoryofplattingbeginningin1852,anumberofblocksand rightsofwaywereplanned
in Port Townsend but were not developed. On the undeveloped rights-of-way the City planned
and coordinated trail improvements, and volunteers established and maintained public trails
that are now maintained by the City. In addition the multimodal regional Larry Scott Trail
meandersattheedgeofPortTownsendBay andextendsintounincorporatedJeffersonCounty.
The Community Engagement results show the public uses their trails a lot and desire better
connectedtrails.Mostwantto seealooptrailandwouldbesatisfied witheitherasignedroute
utilizingdifferenttrailtypesoramulti-purposetrail alongwithimprovingtrail connectionsand
amenities that would also help encourage more use of parks in Port Townsend as desired in
PROS Plan survey and meeting results and community health surveys.
Communityinputreceivedduringthe2020PROSPlanprocessaffirmstheCommunityDirection
Statement in theComprehensivePlan whichof trailsthat lead to
surrounding districts and residential neighborhoods. This loop also unites an extensive system
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020 PROSPLAN| VISION,PARKSix
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
of parks and open spaces, including many environmentally sensitive areas that provide
significant wildlife vision for a potential loop trail is reflected on the Land Use
Map adopted in concert with the Comprehensive Plan.
Specifically, the P/OS(A) - Potential Park and OpenSpace (overlay) shown on the Land Use Map
interconnected system of open spaces and trails. The P/OS(A) overlay appears in areas that
could be valuable if maintained as open spaces, such as wooded areas, drainage corridors, and
scenic vistas. These areas could accommodate multiple functions, including lower density
residential development, stormwater management, wildlife habitat, and passive recreation.
Three primary approaches are being considered in the development of this network: outright
purchase of key properties; incentives for landowners to cluster new development in areas
Comprehensive Plan Land Use Goal 2 Policy 3.2.2 recommends zoning and subdivision code
amendments to provide open space incentives including clustered developments and planned
unit developments (PUDs). See Appendix C, Open Space Assets.
This PROS Plan supports the implementation of Comprehensive Plan Land Use Element Goal 3
to a comprehensive open space and trails plan and implementation and the
implementation of the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan that accomplishes a loop trail and
many other priority connections.
FUNDING AND FACILITIES
Funding
As public goods, City parks and recreation services are largely supported by public monies,
similar to the vast majority of municipalities across Washington State. This PROS Plan includes a
financial situation assessment that:
Analyzesthe historic and projectedrevenues and expenditures to estimate expected
available resources; and
Identifies the potential funding and partnership options, based on current policies and
potential new policies, to address any anticipated future funding gaps.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS x
EXECUTIVESUMMARY
Currently, the City has primarily funded its parks and recreation services through the
Community Services Fund, which includes revenues from property taxes, sales taxes, utility
taxes,andtransfersfromtheGeneralFund. AstheCommunityServicesFundalsofundsother
City services, demand for resources is competitive and may be constrained in the future. To
mitigatetheriskofconstrainedresourcesondeliveringparksandrecreationservices,theCity
should identify and pursue alternative parks and recreation funding sources.
Eachofthepotentialfundingorfinancingsourcesisscreenedaccordingtothesecriteria:
Magnitude.Estimatestheorderofmagnitudeoftheseoptions.
Feasibility.Estimateshowrealisticeachoptionistobeusedforparksandrecreation
revenues.
Flexibility.Estimatestheextenttowhicheachoptionisrestrictedforcertainpurposes,or
vice versa.
SeeExhibit6forafundingandfinancingoptionevaluationsummary.
Exhibit6.FundingandFinancingOptionsEvaluation
FundingSourceMagnitudeFeasibilityFlexibilityNotes
CurrentAvailableOptions
capital only;
currently
RealEstateExciseTax
$100,000s
earmarkedfor
debtpayment
paths and trails;
currentlyusedfor
MotorVehicleFuelTax$1,000s
transportation
projects
politically
UtilityTaxes
$100,000s
unfeasible
capital only
PropertyTaxfromFire
(2012-2023;then
$100,000s
District Annexation
unrestricted)
PossibleFutureOptions
often require
Grants
$100,000s
matchingfunds
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020 PROSPLAN| VISION,PARKSxi
EXECUTIVESUMMARY
FundingSourceMagnitudeFeasibilityFlexibilityNotes
capital only;
ParksImpactFees$10,000s
Councilaction
required
$1,000,00
MetropolitanParksDistrict*voterequired
0s
$1,000,00
ParksLevy voterequired
0s
FinancingOptions
ParksandOpenSpaceGO voterequired;
$1,000,00
Debt0s capital only
Notes:*AnMPDcouldbeformedformultiplepurposes(constructionandoperatea pool;generalparksfunctions)andwithin
either the City or a combination of City and County. Financing options do not represent new revenue but are
mechanisms to move money through time.
Sources:BERK,2019.
Mostlargefundingsourcesrequirevoteraction.Allfundingopportunitiesinvolvetradeoffs
between priorities (for example, transportation versus parks), political will (voter and/or
Council action), and changes in flexibility as implementation of most funding mechanisms
involve a reduction in funding capacity.
Grants and repurposing property tax from the fire district annexation represent the two most
likely funding increases for parks and recreation purposes. Either option has the possibility of
significantly increasing the revenues available for parks and recreation (10% or more of parks
and recreation expenditures), are existing revenue streams that could be increased, and offer
someflexibilityinspending.Bothoptionshavecompetitiveprocesses;Citycapitalprioritieswill
be competing for the first three years of repurposed property tax and grant-making
organizations generally solicit requests to consider multiple possible projects to be funded.
ThePROSPlanrevenueanalysisandexplorationoffundingopportunitieshelpstheCity
implementComprehensivePlanLandUseElementGoal6totoadequatelyfundongoing
parksandrecreationprogrammingandmaintenancethroughproactivewell-plannedbudgeting
Inadditiontotheexplorationoffundingsources,thisPROSplanaddressestheimportanceof
volunteerism and donations. See the Implementation chapter.
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020 PROSPLAN| VISION,PARKSxii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Capital Facility Plan
Port Townsend does not have a current park capital facility plan. Agencies of similar size or
system have capital facility plans ranging from $250,000 to $1.1 million dollars per year with
over $800,000 the median value. To implement the Comprehensive Plan including Land Use
Establish an ongoing six-year
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for parks and recreation Three types of capital facility
project categories are addressed in the PROS Capital Facility Plan: maintenance, investments at
existing parks, and investments for equitable access and distribution.
Maintenance includes projects to address unmet capital replacement needs at existing parks.
Projects that provide capacity at existing parks, allowing more persons to enjoy Port Townsend
Parks include:
Improvements at Kah Tai Lagoon to increase passive recreation opportunities, improve
existing facilities, and conduct habitat restoration.
Improvements to picnic shelters, restrooms, and repairs to slope erosion at Chetzemoka
Park.
Longer-term improvements across the system to improve parks consistent with concept
plans or minimum classification standards.
To addressequitable access and distribution objectives, a series of capital improvements would
address acquisition or partnerships to fill gaps inthe parksand trail system. In the immediate 6-
year period, the investments would be to:
Fill in missing trail links to improve access to existing parks
th
Beginning minimum improvements for 35 Street Park serving the western portion of the
city where gaps are identified.
Post 2027 additional park acquisitions are noted for central and southwest city limits to fill
other gaps.
Excluding an aquatic center, which is under discussion regionally by the City, County, and
YMCA, the total capital program is approximately $38.2 million. The 6-year investment is
approximately $6.6 million. See Exhibit 7.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS xiii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Exhibit 7. Summary Capital Facility Plan Expenditure Type and Schedule
2020-23 2024-2026 2020-2026 6-Year Post 2027+ Total
Annual
Investment
1. Maintenance $71,000 $1,294,000 $1,365,000 $227,500 $0 $1,365,000
2. Invest inExisting $1,069,875 $2,618,795 $3,688,670 $614,778 $25,248,572 $28,937,242
Parks
3. Equitable Access $600,000 $902,113 $1,502,113 $250,352 $6,456,338 $7,958,450
and Distribution
Total $1,740,875 $5,165,070 $6,555,783$1,092,630 $31,704,910 $38,260,692
Source: Port Townsend 2019 Budget; HBB 2019; BERK 2019.
On an annualized basis, if the City invests in only maintenance and existing parks in the 2020-
2026 period, the annual investment will equal about $842,278 per year. See Exhibit 8. This is
similar to the median investment per capita identified in the Level of Service analysis in Chapter
5. If the City invests in equitable access and distribution as well as maintenance and existing
parks over the next six years the annual investment will equal about $1,092,630 per year, atthe
upper end of peer communities. This would be feasible if additional funding sources are
identified.
Exhibit 8. Capital Budget and Target Level of Service Per Capita Investment
6-year 6-Year Discussion
Annualized
Port Townsend Target LOS - Per Capita $5,058,900$843,150 See TargetLOS, page 71
Investment
Priority Focus 6-Year with Feasible
Funds
Maintenance and Existing Parks $5,053,670$842,278 Seek feasible funds, e.g. Grants, FD
Annexation, Private, Other
Add as Funds Allow
Equitable Access and Distribution $1,502,113$250,352 Where funding is more successful(e.g.
Grants), or if additional funds become
available, e.g. MPD, Levy, Other
Source: BERK 2019.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS xiv
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Theoverall capital budget at $38.2 million is greater than investment per capita enjoyed today.
It serves as a 40-year level of investment if population grows at a rate assumed in the
Comprehensive Plan. However, the more complete capital facilities list can be a source of
proposals for grant or partnership opportunities, and the list can serve as a guide to capital
proposals for future Comprehensive Plan Updates and PROS Plan Updates.
MANAGEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION
In addition to addressing funding and resources, thisplan suggests:
Setting arate of maintenance resources as thesystem expands and developing an asset
management program,
Reviewing cost-recovery policies and evaluating programs to address community
engagement results,
Monitoring a set of performance measures, and over the long-term adaptively managing
the system,
Advancing environmental conservation,
Increasing partnership and funding opportunities,
Increasing the volunteer program and donations/fundraising, and
Integratingthe PROS plan with theComprehensive Plan.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS xv
EXECUTIVESUMMARY
PLANCONTENTS
ThisPROSPlanisorganizedasfollows:
Vision & Foundation
Goals & Policies
Facilities & Programs Inventory
Community Profile & Engagement
Demand & Need
Park & Recreation System Plan
Funding and Facilities Plan
Implementation Strategies
References
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020 PROSPLAN| VISION,PARKSxvi
VISION,PARKS
CHAPTER 1
Vision&Foundation
INTRODUCTIONANDPURPOSE
Port
community'sneedsforactiveandpassiverecreation opportunitiesthroughimplementationof
the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan."(Land Use Policy 4.1). The City's Parks,
Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan (PROS Plan) was last updated and adopted by the
City Council in 2014. It is time in 2020 to reassess and adjust the plan for the future.
Parks and recreation needs and demands will continue to increase and evolve as the City
grows.Theprovisionofparks,openspaceandrecreationalprogramsmustbewithinthemeans
oftheresidents.Asinmost communitiesinAmerica,theongoingchallengeoffundingparkand
recreation services forces hard choices.
TheoverallobjectiveofthePROSPlanistoguidedevelopmentofparkandrecreationfacilities
and programs which are responsiveto the needsand interestsof Port Townsend residentsfor
thenextdecades.Itpresentsalogical,consistent,andpurposefulapproachtomanagingparks
and recreation services. Implementation of this PROS Plan will help preserve and enhance the
quality oflife andthenaturalbeautythat makethe area hometo its citizens andadestination
for visitors.
ThisPROSPlanexaminesPortexistingparkandopenspacesystem,assessesneeds,
identifies short-and long-term recommendations, details funding sources and prioritizes our
next steps. It reflectsthegoalsandpoliciesforparks,recreation andopen spacesetforth in the
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.
1
CH. 1 | VISION & FOUNDATION
VISION
Thecommunity direction statement from the Comprehensive Plan forms the foundation of this
PROS Plan. Parks and open space are a constant theme throughout the community direction
identity. Residents and visitors alike enjoy parks and trails as part of their daily schedules and
gathering spaces, the park system of the City of Port Townsend enriches the life of the
community.
Community Direction Statement - Excerpts
a community with a sense of history and place
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.
The City's tree-lined walks, trails, and streets provide shade and habitat and reinforce PortTownsend's
network of green spaces.
Open spacesofferingan opportunity for rest, views, contemplation, and enjoyment of the natural
environment are found throughout the City.
a place that prizes its natural setting
The natural setting of this "Key City" of the Peninsula is accentuated with buildings and green spaces that
combine with the lower Olympics, the Cascades, and marine vistas to create a dramatic backdrop for an
attractive and memorable place.
The downtown waterfront is an attraction that offers cultural, educational, and social opportunities that
reinforce the City's natural setting. The Waterwalk provides people a pedestrian path along the shore of
Port Townsend Bay, tying the City's shoreline together from the Olympic Discovery Trail to Fort Worden
State Park and North Beach. The walk connects the waterfront with a larger network of trails that lead to
surrounding districts and residential neighborhoods. This loop also unites an extensive system of parks and
open spaces, including many environmentally sensitive areas that provide significant wildlife habitat.
a great place to live
Opportunities for socializing, recreation, quiet, and solitude are all close athand, as are facilities and events
that enrich the body, mind, and spirit.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 2
CH.1| VISION&FOUNDATION
PLANNINGPROCESS
PROSPlanUpdate
The2014Planupdateda15-year-old1999Planandwas,therefore,anextensive revision.The
2014 Plan endeavored to integrate information about the City's extensive trails system with
parks and other aspects of recreation. The 2014 Plan is superseded by this 2020 PROS Plan.
MembersoftheParks,Recreation,andTreesAdvisoryBoard (PRTAB)reviewedthe2014Plan
during their regular monthly meetings and recommended edits and updates to the Plan.
added consultant resources, the City Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department
andPRTABconductedanextensivepublicengagementprocess,evaluateddemandandneeds,
identified facility and program improvements, and developed the PROS Plan Update. The
overall phases included the following.
Exhibit9.PROSPlanUpdateSchedule
January -October2019November2019December2019January-March
September20192020
VisionEvents, SystemPlan DraftPlan
PTABMeetingsPublicMeetings
OnlineSurveyWorkshop
& PROS Plan &Hearings
Review
Adoption
Source:BERK2019.
RelationshiptoOtherPlans
This PROS Plan builds on a number of past programs, plans, ordinances, and studies, and
integratesinterrelatedconcepts.Thefollowingprovidesabriefsummaryofeachrelevant
initiative or plan.
PortTownsendComprehensivePlan
Theoverallcontextofthis PROSPlanisdirectedbythe2016ComprehensivePlan.The Port
Townsend Comprehensive Plan recognizes the community vision and provides goals and
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN|VISION,PARKS3
CH. 1 | VISION & FOUNDATION
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 should:
Maintain or improve the characterand livability of established neighborhoods;
Protect natural resource landsandenvironmentally sensitiveareas;
Create desirable and distinctive neighborhoods basedon their cultural and natural
characteristics; and,
Provide for a comprehensive and interconnected system of parks,open spaces and trails.
The Comprehensive Plan sets aLevel of Service (LOS) standard for parks as discussed further in
Chapter 5.
Rainier Street and Upper Sims Way Sub Area Plan
This subarea plan addresses the gateway to Port Townsend. Public and private parks and open
space assets in or abutting the subarea include:
Port Townsend Parkland Assets: City Entrance Park, BishopPark, Bishop Play Park
The Business Park includes a private park with public access. The park is wooded with a
small pond.
The Forest Corridor is a natural area along Sims Way. It has large evergreen tree stands and
a thick understory.
End is a wetland preserve located at the south end of Rainier Street. It has trail
connections and natural areas for passive recreation.
Some recommendations relevant to the parks and open space system in Port Townsend
include:
Forest Buffer: Continue to preserve the Forest Buffer along a portion of Upper Sims Way to
preserve of the character and a conifer backdrop. This forested
buffer is an appropriate aesthetic and urban design element for thesubarea and as a sense-
of-arrival into the City.
Sidewalks And Trails: Continue to expand existing sidewalk and trail connectivity as the
Upper Sims Way area develops. Continue to develop a safe and well-defined bike route
throughout the gateway corridor. The subarea includes several trails that traverse and
terminate in the subarea. Thereare opportunities to provide additional connections and
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 4
CH. 1 | VISION & FOUNDATION
linkages to ensure a connected trailnetwork that will facilitaterecreational and commuter
travel.
Recreation and Open Space: The subarea includes multiple public parks and designated
open spaces. Many of these areas can be enhanced for additional community access and
enjoyment. There is opportunity tomake End a recreational focus for the district
by enhancing park access, signage, and trail connections. The plan calls for trail extensions
through the district to complete city-wide linkages. Future district development should
embrace and tie into the Forest Blocks.
A particular catalyst project involves Bishop Park and a concept to extend the park southof SR
significant community park. This park should grow in size and extend into the city-owned
property south of Sims Way. The 0.94-acre property is heavily wooded and it rests within a
ravine. The City should designate this property for park use and create an improvement plan.
Park development should include a means for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross Sims Way.
Overall, the property should retain much of its natural vegetation and topographic
The concept of pedestrian and bicycle crossing under Sims Way is also part of the
Nonmotorized Transportation Plan, described in further detail in Chapter 6.
Shoreline Master Program Plan
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 public health, safety and general welfare by providing a guide and regulation for the
future development of the shoreline resources of Port Townsend. 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. The SMP Planwas last updated in 2018
(Ordinance 3198) and is currently undergoing a periodic review which is scheduled for adoption
in June 2021.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 5
CH. 1 | VISION & FOUNDATION
Non-Motorized TransportationPlan
The 1998 Non-Motorized Transportation Plan was updated in 2011 and 2014 and an update is
in progress at this writing. The Non-Motorized Transportation Plan addresses transportation for
pedestrians and bicyclists through development of trails and other facilities. The main goal of
circulation patterns. The Active Transportation Advisory Board has overseen the development
of over 30 miles of trails in Port Townsend; many of those are through parks, adjacent to parks,
or connecting parks and neighborhoods.
Stormwater Management Plan
The City's 1987 Comprehensive Storm Water Drainage Plan for Port Townsend established the
Management Plan in the early 1990s, which resulted in initiating a new 1996 Comprehensive
Planand a 1999 Stormwater Management Plan draft. Notable in the draft plan was the idea of
approach was adopted through the 1996 Comprehensive Plan with policies and goals in both
the Land Use and Utility Elements. The Critical Drainage Corridors were protected through
Management Plan, 2019).
The mission and vision of the 2019 update to the City's 1987 SMP are: "A fully functional,
achievable, and sustainable stormwater system that is integrated into the landscape, supports
envisioned growth, protects residents, and nurtures the environment." (Ordinance 3219) The
Stormwater Plan 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
th
while the Golf CoursePark and 35Street Park also play a considerable role in stormwater
management. However, all designated open space tends to reduce drainage impacts.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 6
CH. 1 | VISION & FOUNDATION
Gateway Development Plan
ThePort Townsend Gateway Development Plan, adoptedby Council in August 1993, provides a
comprehensive blueprint for actions to improve traffic safety along the Sims Way/State Route
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. Spearheadedby
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 andinformation on public trails, signage
and interpretive/education opportunities. City Council adopted the QWC Management Plan by
Ordinance 2976 in May 2008 and sponsored the successful applications for two Interagency
Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC) grants (now Washington Recreation & Conservation
Office \[RCO\]) for the Corridor.
Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park Plan
A number of plans and studies have been completed relating to Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park.
However, this reference appears to be to a collection of documents rather than to a singular,
stand-aloneplan. Many ofthese past documents were developedwith 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 focusedon thesouthern uplands resultingfrom
dredgespoils 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
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 7
CH. 1 | VISION & FOUNDATION
specifications. In 1985, City Council approved the Shoreline Substantial Development Permit
Applicationrequest to dig the small lagoon as a part of parkdevelopment. At the request of the
Jefferson/Port Townsend Shoreline Management Advisory Commission, Ornithologist Dr.
Dennis Paulson reviewed the proposed development plan. He found the plan to be favorable
and it was approved by the Washington Department of Ecology. Permitted plans finalized by
Funding for the second phase did not materialize and completion of the recommended
landscape design was inhibited by ownership disputes resolved in 2013. A future phase of the
park includes a wetland in the southeast corner of the park. Community volunteers continue to
help care for the park and implement landscaping as envisioned by these early efforts.
Public Art Plan
The Port Townsend Arts Commission prepared a Public Art Planadopted by the CityCouncil in
2019. The plan serves as a guide to sites for their readiness and appropriateness to site art.
Each site evaluated was rated based on:
Readiness of location based on current zoningand development.
Viability and appropriateness for public art.
Each site was then rated either as a site ready within the short-term or long-term or as not
recommended. Sites can be re-visitedregularly. Of 70 survey sites, the Public Art Plan identifies
26 that are suitable in the short term. Beyond the site suitability each piece of art will come
with its own set of requirements around infrastructure, safety, maintenance and security. The
sites in the categories were not rank ordered in the plan. Below is a list of the sites that
immediately overlap withthe parkinventory:
Long-term:
City Entrance
Triangle Park III at Kearney/SimsWay
Short Term:
Chetzemoka Park
Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park
Larry Scott Memorial Trail and Port Wetlands
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 8
CH. 1 | VISION & FOUNDATION
Mountain View Commons
Port Townsend Golf CoursePark
Tyler Street Plaza
JeffersonCountyNon-MotorizedTransportationPlan-LarryScott
Memorial Trail
Though the majority of the County Non-Motorized Transportation 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
Non-Motorized Transportation Plan and this Plan recognize the linear park as an important
transportation and recreation link to Jefferson County.
Jefferson County Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan
Last updated in 2015, the Jefferson County Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Plan
provides goals and objectives, inventory and demand and need, recommendations, and capital
programming for the Jefferson County parks and recreation system. It applies to facilities inside
the city limits such as North Beach County Park, Port Townsend Community Center, Memorial
Field, County Courthouse Park, Fairgrounds, and the Larry Scott Trail. The Jefferson County
PROS Plan actions and capital program identify improvements at these parks that help serve
Port Townsend residents and visitors. In turn, this Port Townsend PROS Plan integrates the
County facilities as well as State and School District facilities, in the consideration of park
distribution and access and available recreation facilities.
CommunityHealth Improvement Plan (CHIP)
The Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) is a collaboration of Jefferson Healthcare,
JeffersonCounty PublicHealth, Discovery Behavioral Healthcare, the City of Port Townsend and
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 9
CH. 1 | VISION & FOUNDATION
Jefferson County. Chronic disease accounts for the top four causes of death and the top three
causes of hospitalization in Jefferson County. Active living contributes to decreasing the risks of
chronic diseases and the related health outcomes. Many social and environmental factors
influence the exercise choices individuals make, including the built environment, knowledge,
skills, social support, policies, cost, access, and safety. One of the four CHIP goals - that
Jefferson County residents get the appropriate levels of physical activity - is especially relevant
to this PROS Plan. Barriers to access of recreational and exercise opportunities and assets
prevent citizens from benefiting from time spent outside in natural surroundings or in
organized recreational activities. The CHIP collaboration seeks to identify and mitigate those
barriers.
Climate Change Preparedness Plan for the North Olympic Peninsula
The Climate Change Preparedness Plan for the North Olympic Peninsula (S. Petersen et al.,
September 2015) provides a Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan to adjust to actual or
expected climate and its effects. Climate changes are anticipated to affect temperature averages
and extremes, precipitation averages and extremes, sea level rise, and coastal flood elevations. This
waterfront. Adaptation strategies relevant to parkland includes:
Enhance efforts to encouragebreeding and planting of drought tolerant, resilient plant
species
Enhance efforts to incentivize use of native plants landscaping
Promote andincentivize smart irrigation technologies
Enhance water storage andgroundwater recharge
Encourage soft defenses for shoreline infrastructure
Improve on-site stormwater management practices
Chetzemoka Interpretive Trail Plan
The Trail is the result of a plan envisioned by the Port Townsend Native Connections Action
Group of the Quimper UnitarianUniversalist Fellowship. The plan wasendorsed and assisted by
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 10
CH. 1 | VISION & FOUNDATION
a part of the dedication, a totem pole was installed at the Northwest Maritime Center as a gift
from the people to the City. See more information under Public Art in Appendix C.
The Trail utilizes existing facilities including City sidewalks and trails to connect many points of
tribal, geographic and historic interest in Port Townsend. The Trail comprises 18 sites that
include City parks (Chetzemoka, Kah Tai or qatáy), Sentinel Rock andthe KahTai Prairie (the last
remaining native prairie here) at the Golf CoursePark; County parks at North Beach and at
Memorial Field (the site of the last native village in the City, burned by European settlers in
1871); and Point Wilson in Fort Worden State Park.
The intent of the Trail is to educate the public about the S'Klallam people who were well-
established here since the 1400s,andtheir relationship with the European settlers who arrived
in Port Townsend in the mid-19th century.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 11
VISION,PARKS
CHAPTER 2
Goals&Policies
INTRODUCTION
ThischapterincludesParksandRecreationgoalsandpolicies.
Goalsareaimsorobjectives,thedesiredoutcome ofaneffortor design.
Policiesarethecourseurseorprinciplesofactionproposedtoachievegoals.
The following Goals and Policies integrate Port Townsend Comprehensive Plan goals and
policiesthataremostrelevanttothisParks,Recreation,andOpenSpaceFunctionalPlan(PROS
Plan).
Overall,thegoalsandpoliciesfromtheComprehensivePlanarewelldevelopedandprovide
adequate guidance for parks and recreation planning.
COMPREHENSIVEPLAN-LANDUSEELEMENT
OpenSpaces&Trails
Goal3: Developacomprehensiveopenspaceandtrailsplanandimplementationprogramthat
protectsthenaturalenvironmentandsignificantculturalresources,providespassiverecreation
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.
Policy3.1:Acquireanddeveloppublicopenspaceandtrailswithinthefinancialcapabilitiesand
level of service standards of the Capital Facilities Element.
Policy3.2:Developandimplementnonregulatoryandregulatorymeansforacquiringand
developing the open space and trails network.
13
CH. 2 | GOALS & POLICIES
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 landfor open spaces and trails through municipal or state programs,such
as stormwater management and wildlife/wetland protection.
3.2.4 Apply for grantsfrompublic agencies and private foundations to acquirelandfor
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 landin 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., RCO funding: utility bill donations, a community or regional bond
issue, etc.).
Policy3.3: 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 StreetWetlands and Drainage Corridor;
c. 50th Street Wetlands and Drainage Corridor; and
d. Hastings/25th Street Wetlands and Drainage Corridor.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 14
CH. 2 | GOALS & POLICIES
Policy3.5: 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.
Policy3.6: 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 Olympic Discovery Trail.
3.6.2 Support the expansion of a Quimper Peninsulawildlife and open space corridor
consistent with the Quimper Wildlife Corridor Management Plan.
Policy3.7: 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.
Policy3.8: Preserve and enhance shoreline access areas consistent with theCity's Shoreline
Master Program.
Policy3.9: 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.
Policy3.10:Design trails to beaccessible to people with disabilities as much as the natural
characteristics (e.g., topography) of the region will allow.
Policy3.11: Develop a coordinated sign program that provides a user friendlyguideto the
location of trails.
Policy3.12: Considertrail linkages in the development of new government facilities, including
new parks and open spaces.
Policy3.13: Prohibit the use of off-road vehicles on public trails designated inthe Non-
Motorized Transportation Plan.
Policy3.14: Develop and adopt standards regarding trail uses that minimize conflicts between
different types of trail users (e.g., pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians).
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 15
CH. 2 | GOALS & POLICIES
Policy3.15: Provide adequate funding for open space and trails network operation and
maintenance.
Parks and Recreation Facilities and Programs
Goal 4: Develop park and recreation facilities, programs and opportunities that are responsive
to the needs and interests of Port Townsend residents.
Policy 4.1: Continue to address the community's needs for active and passive recreation
opportunities through implementation of the Parks,Recreation and Open Space Functional
Plan.
4.1.1 Provide recreationprograms 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-purposefields for soccer and general
outdoor play, volleyball courts, and a golf coursepark.
4.1.3 Provide awide range of passive recreation opportunities within the parks system
(e.g., nature walks, picnic areas, bird-watching, observation areas).
Policy4.2: Acquire and develop public park and recreational lands to serve the future
population of the City.
Policy4.3: Pursue a variety of options for parkand recreationfacility 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 grantsfrompublic agencies and private foundations to acquirelandand
develop the City's park and recreation facilities.
4.3.3 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).
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 16
CH. 2 | GOALS & POLICIES
4.3.4 Provide incentives thatencourage developers in commercial districts to provide
pocket parks, plazas, courtyards, arcades, atriums, pedestrian corridors, and through
block corridors.
Policy4.4: 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 areconducive 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 plantswhich 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 andfeatures, and
cultural resources.
4.5.1 : Extend maximum environmental protection in perpetuity for the exclusive open
space, wildlife habitat, and passive outdoor recreation functions within Kah Tai Lagoon
Nature Park. Within those areas depicted on the 6(f) Boundary Map (RCO Project # 81-
043, Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) 53-00486, executed by the City on July
3, 2013 and the State Recreation and Conservation Office on June 19, 2013), Kah Tai
Lagoon Nature Park shall be designed and managed in accordance with the legal
obligations assumed under the 1981 Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund
AcquisitionGrant, and any grant amendments. As stated on the 6(f) Boundary Map:
land within the boundary of the park is dedicated in perpetuity to public outdoor
The contract obligations include the following (Project # 81-043A,
Amendment Number 2):
purpose of the grant was to expand the ownership and control around the
lagoon anddevelop a municipal passive use park.
The lagoon is a natural area associated with marsh, wetlands, and grasslands and
provides nesting, feeding, and breeding habitat for birds, ducks and other wildlife. The
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 17
CH. 2 | GOALS & POLICIES
area should be set asidefor preservation of natural resources and open space to serve
wildlifehabitat and compatible passive recreation
The 6(f) Boundary Map, depicting the property subject to the LWCF protections, the
project contract, andother key documents, arerecorded at JeffersonCounty Auditor
File No. 585012 (July 18, 2014).
Policy4.6: Design park and recreation facilities to accommodate a citizenry diverse in age,
interests, income levels, and abilities.
Policy4.7: Where adverse impacts couldoccur, screen and buffer park and recreation facilities
to protect adjacent or nearby private properties.
Policy4.8: Consideracquiring inholdings and adjacent parcels that would increase the long-
term integrity and viability of the City's park and recreational lands.
Policy4.9: 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.
Policy4.10: Support, encourage, andprovide technical assistance to neighborhood associations
seeking to acquire or develop property for neighborhood parks, recreation, and open space.
Policy4.11: Work withJefferson County to identify future park and recreational facility needs
within Port Townsend and facilities within Jefferson County that will serve Port Townsend
residents.
Policy4.12: Assure that maintenance and operation costs areconsidered 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).
Policy4.13: Set City-wide standards for park and recreational facility maintenance,and the unit
costs to achieve those standards.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 18
CH. 2 | GOALS & POLICIES
Parks and Recreation Administration and Operations
Goal 5: Providethe support and leadership to respond effectively to the 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.
Policy5.1: Deliver measurable economic benefitto the community by providing or supporting
programs, special events, and facilities.
Policy5.2: Incorporate sustainable standards and best management practices intoplanning and
design of new parks and rehabilitation of existing facilities.
Policy5.3: Keep clean and well-maintained parks and facilities, retaining a high level of
appearance of landscaped sites.
Policy5.4: Identify, preserve and interpret Port heritage, traditions, historic,
environmental, and cultural features.
Policy5.5: Master Plan major parks and facilities through a public inputprocess to modernize
and update sites.
Policy5.6: Develop staff growth through educational classes, certification andtraining.
Parks and Recreation Budget and 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.
Policy6.1: Prepare and anticipate for future staffing needs that may arise due to budget and
other financial circumstances.
Policy6.2: Establish an ongoing six-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for parks and
recreation facilities.
Policy6.3: Pursue local,regional, state and federalgrantsources for park maintenance and
development.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 19
CH. 2 | GOALS & POLICIES
Policy6.4: Develop new and additional partnership/volunteer stewardship programs utilizing
local service clubs and organizations.
Policy6.5: Investigate establishing a set of impact and/or mitigation fees that fairly contribute
to the construction and upgrading of parks.
Other Policies
Land Use Element: Air Quality Management, Climate Mitigation & Adaptation
Policy 8.8.1: Consider projected climate change impacts and adaptation strategies when
investing in public projects and updating disasterpreparednessplans, land use plans,and
regulations.
Land Use Element: Residential Lands
Policy9.8: As funding becomes available, develop neighborhood parks in higher density
locations where the need is greatest.
Land Use Element: Public Facilities & Utilities
Policy 14.6:Locate public facilities that are intended to serve the entire community in areas
conveniently accessible toCity residents (e.g., community parks, schools, government offices).
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CAPITALFACILITIES
ELEMENT
TheComprehensive Plan Capital FacilitiesElement provides alevel of service for Parks in two
parts:
7.6 acres/1,000 population
Local service standards for equitable access, distribution, andfunction as outlined in the
City of Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan
Chapter 5 Demand & Need evaluates the level of service retaining the Comprehensive Plan
level of service while identifying an alternative standard thatcan be phased in as a target or
goal.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 20
VISION,PARKS
CHAPTER 3
Facilities&ProgramsInventory
INTRODUCTION
ThisChapterincludesahistoryandoverviewofPortrecreationopportunities.It
review of recreation programs offered by the City, County, and other jurisdictions and
organizations.
HISTORY
Thissectionprovidesanoverviewoftherecreationprograms,includingrelevanthistory,
facilities owned and operated by other jurisdictions.
PortTownsendRecreation
RecreationHistory:20thCentury
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
recreationprogramandcreatedarecreationdivision. Anintergovernmentalagreementexisted
between the City and the County to operate the recreation program including the Mountain
ViewSwimmingPooluntil1994,whentheJeffersonCountyBoardofCommissionersdecidedto
discontinue operation of the swimming pool and other recreation programs.
21
CH. 3 | FACILITIES & PROGRAMS INVENTORY
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 ofthe previous involvement of other jurisdictions, recreationalfacilities in the City are
in large part owned by either Jefferson County or the Port Townsend School District.
Recreational programs weretherefore offeredin partnerships negotiated between the City and
the facility owners.
The recreation and pool programs were supported through a collaborative effort by the Port
Townsend School District, community organizations,area businesses, grants, and fundraisersas
well as the City budget. Many businesses contributed to the effort. The recreation program
received the 1997 Association of Washington Cities Municipal Achievement Award.
Recreation History: 21stCentury
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 consider possible pool expansion
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 (now Salish Coast Elementary) in 2009, at which time the City
began to 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. In 2009, the City
considered what life cycle repairs were necessary and what upgrades were recommended for
continued use. The City and County collaborated to fund nearly $200,000 in critically needed
pool repairsand improvements in early2013. In 2015, City voters overwhelmingly supported a
$3.6M bond measure to upgrade Mountain View Commons after the School District and the
Citysigned a long-term lease agreement. At this writing, effortsto improve access foraquatic
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 22
CH. 3 | FACILITIES & PROGRAMS INVENTORY
recreation, exercise and rehabilitation continue, with proposed partnerships under
consideration between the City, County, SchoolDistrict,the YMCA and Jefferson Healthcare.
Recreation: Current Operations
The City continues to serve as a providerof indoor aquatic recreation services (e.g.,Mountain
View Pool). The City coordinates its parks and recreation efforts with Jefferson County and
other entities. 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 Chapter 7.
Mountain View Pool: The City continues to staff, support and maintain the only public pool in
Jefferson County. The pool continues to be used extensively by schools for swimming lessons
for all age groups; middle and high school competitive swim teams; Redfins youth swim club
(USA Swimming); aquatic fitness/wellness classes and aqua therapy. It also provides water
babies classes, lap swimming and open recreational swimming. Pool usehasmore than doubled
in the last six years.
Port Townsend Golf CourseParkPark: After a robust community conversation in 2023, the City
contracted operations of the Golf Park to a local nonprth the requirement to operate the 9
hole park and also expand use for the general community. From mini golf, disc golf, foot golf,
first Sundays in the Park, this 58.9 acre piece of land will be an asset for the whole community.
Previously,Tthe 9-hole, 58.9-acre golf coursepark hasd been leased by the City to a
privateoperator since 1987. The existing previous leaselease was transferred to a new vendor
in 2013 by Council Resolution 13-033. The City commissioned a study in 2019 which indicated
that there is a need for considerable investment in improvements and modernization of the
golf coursepark (described in further detail under Chapter 6 Park & Recreation System Plan).
The future of the facility is under review as declining revenues render upkeep and
improvements problematic to fund. The current lease will expire in 2020expired in 2023, and
the City Council will determined to lease it to the newly formed nonprofit to operate. future
steps
regarding the golf courseparkfuture.
Formatted: Right: 1.02", Space Before: 9 pt, Line
spacing: Multiple 1.2 li
Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory Board (PRTAB)
The Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory Board (PRTAB) advises the City Council on issues
related to the City's parks, open spaces, trees, and recreational opportunities. The Advisory
Board provides review, advice, and recommendations on the implementation of the PROS Plan
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 23
CH. 3 | FACILITIES & PROGRAMS INVENTORY
and other topics that are important to maintaining and expanding the City's commitment to
conservation and legislation regarding the City's parks and trees.
ThePRTAB has oversight to City trees and helping to maintain Port Tree City USA
status aswell as evaluating nominations for theCity's most outstanding specimen trees to the
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 24
CH. 3 | FACILITIES & PROGRAMS INVENTORY
protective Landmark Tree status. Management of City trees is split between the Parks
Department (trees in parks and along trails) and Public Works Department (street trees).
FACILITIES
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), 1999
2014, and 2020. Although National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) information and
studies are a basis to define parks and recreational assets, nocommunity's resources fit neatly
into a single framework.
Port Townsend fits perhaps even less well than most communities into a common classification
scheme, 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 North Beach
County Park, the County Courthouse Park, 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 awealth of open spaceand 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. Recent updates 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 (RCO) includes a level of service (LOS) exercise in its most recent iteration
of park grant planning documents (Manual 2, Planning Policies andGuidelines, April 2019) that
recommends using a community's own guidelines for LOS. Additionally, RCO evaluates
recreational assets by relativesupport 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.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 25
CH. 3 | FACILITIES & PROGRAMS INVENTORY
This PROS Plan establishes an inventory of parks based on a range of types of park facilities
currently existing in the City of Port Townsend: Community, Neighborhood, Downtown,
Garden, and Special Use. 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. Exhibit 10 provides summary definitions. Exhibit 11 maps inventoried parks. A list
of the parks, classifications, and acres are included in Exhibit 12.
TheLOS analysis in Chapter 5 factors in these park types and identifies three key level of service
indicators: function, accessibility, and service area. The key features for each park type are
further elaborated in Chapter 6.
All City parks and other City assetsare described in greater detail in Appendix A.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 26
CH. 3 | FACILITIES & PROGRAMS INVENTORY
Exhibit 10. Park Classification Summary Definitions
Classification Summary Definition
Primary Classes
Community Park Community Parks are larger parks providing a variety of major recreation facilities, open space,
and/or recreation programming, serve multiple neighborhoods and are a generally treated as a
destination for visitors. Community Parks often reflect a shared community identity and offer
flexibility across recreation and programming types throughout the year. Their size and range of
offerings attract visitors and neighbors who may travel from further distances and stay longer
periods of time, requiring more allowance and provisions for parking, seating, restrooms and family
support amenities. Sub-classes identify if the park is more Active or Nature focused.
Neighborhood Park Neighborhood Parks are smaller than Community Parks and intended for frequent and convenient
access to basic recreation activities and opportunities. These parks best serve nearbyresidents and
visitors in less formal or organized recreation and leisure. Neighborhood Parks provide open space
values. They are less suited for longer stays, heavily programmed activities, or larger rental or
permit-required spaces. These parks prioritize open space over parking and encourage visitation
through pedestrian and bike networks. Sub-classes identify if the park is more Active or Nature
focused.
Downtown Park Downtown Parks are located in the downtown/uptown urban core and provide plazas and urban
community gathering and special event spaces, waterfront or shoreline access, art and cultural
facilities, or picnic or other passive enjoyment facilities. In some instances, Downtown Parks serve
the needs met by neighborhood parks for residents living in the urban core. These parks may be
referenced in other Comprehensive and Subarea Plans as Urban Pocket Parks, the 2014
Classification.
Garden Park Garden parks include medians, gateways, rights of way, and small greenspaces, with ornamental
plantings, trees and sometimes limited amenities such asa bench or interpretive signage. They are
small in size and may only provide a visual buffer or beautification enhancement to the urban or
other environment that surrounds them.
Special Use Park Special Use Parks are designed for specialized or single-purpose recreation activities. These purposes
may include golf courseparks, marinas,sportcomplexes, community and aquatic centers, historical
areas, nature centers, conservatories, amphitheaters, or other purposes. These parks typically offer a
narrower range of recreation uses or amenities. This classification can be combined with others.
Sub-Classes
Nature This sub-classification identifies parks where the primary purposes include nature and wildlife habitat
conservation, passive recreation such as trails and viewpoints, and educational and cultural
appreciation elements. Intensive areas of development are limited based on the environmental
characteristics of the park.
Active This sub-classification identifies parks that are designed for frequent and convenient access to
recreation activities and opportunities such as family activities (picnic, gathering), activerecreation
(play, sports, other), and passive recreation (trails, open lawn/turf, informal activity). These parks
would also contribute open space and environmental values.
Source: City of Port Townsend, BERK, 2019.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 27
CH. 3 | FACILITIES & PROGRAMS INVENTORY
Exhibit 11. City, County, and State Parks
Source: City of Port Townsend, BERK, 2019.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 28
CH. 3 | FACILITIES & PROGRAMS INVENTORY
Exhibit 12. Parks Inventorywith Classification and Park Size in Acres
Park Classification/Name 2014 Alternative 2020 Footprint
Classification Classification Acres*
Chetzemoka Park (Park, Dog Park, Golden Age Community Park Community Park-Active 7.3
Club)
Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park Community Park Community Park-Nature 75.9
35th Street Park Neighborhood Park Community Park-Active/Nature 14.0
13th & Hancock Neighborhood Park Neighborhood Park-NaturActivee1.0
Baker View Park Neighborhood Park Neighborhood Park-Active 0.2
Bishop Park Neighborhood Park Neighborhood Park-Nature 3.6
Bishop Play Park Neighborhood Park Neighborhood Park-Active 0.6
BobbyMcGarraughPark Neighborhood Park Neighborhood Park-Active 2.0
Sather Park Field (East) Neighborhood Park Neighborhood Park-Active 1.4
Sather Park Forest (West) Neighborhood Park Neighborhood Park-Nature 5.3
Adams Street Park UrbanPocket Park DowntownPark 0.1
Bell Tower UrbanPocket Park DowntownPark 0.1
Haller Fountain / Terrace Steps UrbanPocket Park DowntownPark 0.4
Pope Marine Park / Jackson Tidal Park UrbanPocket Park DowntownPark 1.3
Rotary Park UrbanPocket Park DowntownPark 0.3
Tyler Street Stairs UrbanPocket Park DowntownPark 0.1
City Entrance UrbanPocket Park Garden Park 0.6
Dahlia Park (Triangle I) UrbanPocket Park Garden Park 0.1
Triangle ParkIII at Kearney/Sims Way UrbanPocket Park Garden Park 0.2
Gateway Park (Triangle II) UrbanPocket Park Garden Park 0.2
ElmiraStreet Viewpoint Park Neighborhood Park Special Use0.5
GolfCourseParkParkCommunity Park Special Use58.9
Larry Scott Memorial Trail Community Park Special Use7.1
Mountain View Neighborhood Park Special Use/ Neighborhood 7.6
Skateboard Park Community Park Special Use0.3
Grand Total 189.2
Source: City of Port Townsend, BERK, 2019.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 29
CH. 3 | FACILITIES & PROGRAMS INVENTORY
Trails
Witha history of platting beginning in 1852, a number of blocks and rights of way wereplanned
in Port Townsend and not developed. On the undeveloped rights-of-way the City planned and
coordinated trail improvements, and volunteers established and maintained public trails that
are now maintained by the City. In addition to pedestrian trails, the multimodal regional Larry
Scott Trail begins in the City and extends into unincorporated Jefferson County.
The Chetzemoka Trail was dedicated in 2019, and is an interpretative trail traversing Port
Townsend that honors the life of Chief Chetzemoka, the important places in his life and the
people. The Trail is comprised of 18 sites throughout the city that divide into 3-mile,
6-mile, or 12-mile loops. Some of the interpretive site are in City parks. The trail has signage
and stops of historical significance at Chetzemoka Park, Kah Tai LagoonNature Park, the Kah Tai
prairie at the golf coursepark, Froggy Bottoms, as well as county facilities at North Beach and
Memorial Field, and at Fort Worden.
The City manages the trails by zones. Trail extent is summarized by zone in Exhibit 13.
Exhibit 13. Trail Inventory Feet and Miles, 2019
Zone/Location Total Feet Miles
1 12,321 2.3
2 5,627 1.1
3 10,657 2.0
A. Larry Scott Trail Multimodal Paths 7,351 1.4
B. OtherPaths 3,306 0.6
4 14,491 2.7
5 19,929 3.8
6 18,153 3.4
7 41,288 7.8
8 27,393 5.2
9(including Fort Worden) 23,637 4.5
Total 173,496 32.9
Source: City of Port Townsend, BERK, 2019.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 30
CH. 3 | FACILITIES & PROGRAMS INVENTORY
Trails by zone are included in Exhibit 14.
Exhibit 14. Trails by Zone
Source: City of Port Townsend, BERK, 2019.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 31
CH. 3 | FACILITIES & PROGRAMS INVENTORY
Facilities
The parks contain a variety of facilities including playgrounds, picnic shelters and
benches, paths, and special facilities such as dog parks. See Exhibit 15. Port Townsend
Recreation Facilities.
Exhibit 15. Port TownsendRecreation Facilities
t
e
e
s
r
s
t
e l
r
t
s
is
r
s
a
rs
-
es
ca
t
eef
t
reA
dl
l
fr
r
A
c
T
nebk
u
A
tcO
r
n&
m
k
har
u
s
o
r
n
a
A
do
og
ST
iooy
e
iC
a
P
r
rer
ton
cchh
s
it
P
r
ii
g
pa
o
cce
r
wt
hk
t
t
yt
gnn
g
a
ntsr
o
i
os
occ
aa
rio
e
liieaea
p
r
ok
PMIPPBPBRPHSD
FS
ParkClassification/Name
Community Park
35th Street Park 14.0 X
Chetzemoka Park 7.3 X X XX X X X XX X X X
Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park 75.9 XX X X X X X
Neighborhood Park
13th & Hancock 1.0
Baker View Park 0.2 X X
Bishop Park 3.6 X X
Bishop Play Park 0.6 X X XX X X
BobbyMcGarraughPark 2.0 X X XX X X X X
Sather Park Field (East) 1.4 X X
Sather Park Forest (West) 5.3 X
Downtown Park
Adams Street Park 0.1 XX X
Bell Tower 0.1 XX X X
Haller Fountain / Terrace Steps 0.4 X XX X
Pope Marine Park / Jackson Tidal Park 1.3 X X XX X XX X
Rotary Park 0.3 XX X
Tyler Street Stairs 0.1 X
Garden Park
City Entrance 0.6 X
Dahlia Park (Triangle I) 0.1 X
Gateway Park (Triangle II) 0.2 XX X
Triangle ParkIII at Kearney/Sims Way 0.2
Special Use
ElmiraStreet Viewpoint Park 0.5
X X X
GolfCoursePark 58.9 X XX
Larry Scott Memorial Trail 7.1 X X XX X
Mountain View 7.6 X X XX X X X
Skateboard Park 0.3 X X
Grand Total 189.2 5 9 13 4 8 13 6 52 10 6 1 21
Source: City of Port Townsend, BERK, 2019.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 32
CH. 3 | FACILITIES & PROGRAMS INVENTORY
Other Parks and Recreation Facilities
Fort Worden
Fort Worden State Park and Conference Center is a 434-acre park witha wide variety of
services and facilities for tourists and residents:
Conference Center and Lodge: Meeting rooms, food services, and 456
bedrooms/accommodations that include officers' housing,a castle, special one-room
houses and large dormitories
Camping: Two campgrounds with 80 campsites, and RV rally site for 10-22 RVs
Picnicking: Day-use andpicnic areas
Trails: 5 miles ADA hiking trails, 12 miles hiking trails, 12miles bike trails
Sports: 1 Baseball/Softball Field, 2 Tennis Courts
Water/Boating Access: 2 boat ramps, 235 feet of dock and moorage, kayak and bike rentals
Other: Alternative fitness classes, birding, 2 fire circles, interpretive activities mountain
biking, museums (Washington State Parks, 2019)
Jefferson County Parks
Jefferson County provides recreation facilities in the city limits including a Community Center
with teen and senior activities, sports complex at Memorial Field, sports courts and picnicking
at the Courthouse Park, a County Fairgrounds, and a community-oriented North Beach Park.
See Exhibit 16.
Exhibit 16. Jefferson County Parks Facilities in Port Townsend
ParkFacilityAcres(GIS)ClassificationFeatures
Community Center 1.9Special Use Play Areas
CourtHouse Park 2.0Neighborhood Sports Courts, Picnicking, Tennis
Fairgrounds 34.0 Regional Special Use Picnic Shelter, Picnicking, Play Areas,
Restrooms, Walking/Jogging, Stadium,
Camping, Off-Leash Area
Memorial Field 5.2Regional Special Use Ballfields, Restrooms, Stadium
North Beach Park 1.9Community BBQ,Picnic Shelter, Picnicking, Restrooms
Grand Total 45.0
Source: Jefferson County, BERK, 2019.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 33
CH. 3 | FACILITIES & PROGRAMS INVENTORY
Schools
There are three public school sites with indoor and outdoor recreation facilities. They are
meant for use by students. People have access to the sites after school hours. Forexample, the
play areas at Salish were placed in front deliberately for public use after hours intentionally to
provide a community asset. See Exhibit 17.
Exhibit 17. Schools and Recreational Facilities
Schools Diamond Rectangular Tennis Gym Track Playground Pickleball
Fields Fields
SalishCoast Elementary 1 1 1
Blue Heron School 1 4 1 1
Port Townsend High School 2 1 4 1 1
Source: Port Townsend School District, Google Earth, BERK, 2019.
Summary of Facilities
Across all agencies reviewed in this PROS Plan, the City focus of facilities is family activitiesand
special use activities whereasthe State, County, and Schools focus on outdoorsports facilities.
See Exhibit 18.
Exhibit 18. Combined Facility Inventory: City, State, County, Schools
Facilities City State County Schools
Diamond Fields 2 2 3
Rectangular Fields1 6
Basketball Courts (outdoor) 4* 1* *
Tennis Courts (outdoor) 2 1 4
Pickleball Courts(outdoor) 2* 1 1
Picnic Shelters 4 2
Playgrounds 5 2 1
Special Use: Passive Dog Parks 2 1
Multiple: Conference
Special Use: Active 3 3 3
Center, Museums,
Golf, Skate Park, Fairgrounds, Comm
Gym
Historic Sites
Pool, Gym Ctr, Mem Field
Note: *In addition there are indoor facilities. The City has 1 indoor basketball court and 1 indoor pickleball court at Mountain
View. Jefferson County offers indoor basketball at the Port Townsend Community Center. Schools have indoor courts at gyms.
Source: City of Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington State Parks, BERK, 2019.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 34
CH.3|FACILITIES&PROGRAMSINVENTORY
RECREATION
AsmentionedunderHistory,therecreationprogrammingofferedbytheCityofPortTownsend
consists of aquatic-
lessons, fitness classes, and drop-in swimming or aquatic recreation.
Inadditiontotheaquatic-basedprogrammingprovidedbytheCity,othermajorprovidersof
recreation programming in the Port Townsend area include Jefferson County Parks and
Recreation and Jefferson County YMCA.
Below in Exhibit 19and Exhibit 20, the recreation programming landscape for the Port
Townsendareaisshownforyouth-focusedprogrammingandadult-focusedprogramming.
Exhibit19.YouthRecreationProgrammingLandscapeinPortTownsend
JeffersonCountyParksand
JeffersonCountyYMCA
ProgramTypeCityofPortTownsend
Recreation
ClubSwimming
SwimLessons
Drop-InRecreation
Arts& Crafts
ChildCare
Drop-InRecreation
FamilyActivities
Mentorship
1
Preschool
1
SpecialNeedsPrograms
SportsCamps
Sports Leagues Youth
SummerDayCamps
SummerOvernightCamps
YouthNutrition Programs
AquaticProgramming
1
Ancillaryprogramsprovided eitherthrough partnership orcontract
Source:CityofPortTownsend,2019;JeffersonCounty,2019;BERK,2019.
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN|VISION,PARKS35
CH.3|FACILITIES&PROGRAMSINVENTORY
Exhibit20.AdultRecreationProgrammingLandscapeinPortTownsend
JeffersonCountyParks
JeffersonCountyYMCA
ProgramTypeCityofPortTownsend
andRecreation
2
HealthandFitnessClasses
2
Drop-InRecreation
2
Drop-InRecreation
FamilyActivities
1,2
HealthandFitnessClasses
2
Mentorship
1
SpecialNeedsPrograms
2
SportsLeaguesAdult
AquaticProgramming
1
Ancillaryprogramsprovidedeitherthroughpartnershiporcontract
2
Seniorrecreationoptions
Source:CityofPortTownsend,2019;JeffersonCounty,2019;BERK,2019.
Lookingattheroleseachproviderplaysinrecreationprogramminginthearea,beyondthe
aquatic programming provided by the City, the County mostly provides community center
recreation and sports leagues while the YMCA provides cultural programming, childcare,
summer camps, and family activities.
MAINTENANCEANDOPERATIONS
TheCitymaintainsandoperates25ofits26sitesexcludingthegolfcoursepark,whichis
managed separatelyinanagreementwiththeoperator.Maintenanceandoperationsstaff
include12.8 full time equivalents (FTEs), most of which serve the pool. See Exhibit 21.
Exhibit21.MaintenanceandOperationsFullTimeandSeasonalPositionsandFull-TimeEquivalents
Maintenance&OperationsParksMaintenanceandOperationsPool
Parks,Recreation&CommunityServicesDirector 1FTE
Lead Operator Parks (FTE 3.5) AquaticsProgramSupervisor(FTE8.3)
MaintenanceWorkerParks Aquatics Program Coordinator
MaintenanceWorkerParksHead Lifeguard II
HeadLifeguard
Lifeguards(PartTime)
Fitness/SwimInstructors(PartTime)
Source:PortTownsendBudget2019
Commented \[CH2\]: Michael: Do you want to update this?
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN|VISION,PARKS36
CH. 3 | FACILITIES & PROGRAMS INVENTORY
Port maintenance and operations expenditure per capitais about $109 with the
pool and $50 without the pool.
The 2019budget identified unmet and unfunded needs for maintenance and operations
staff including:
1 FTE for parks maintenance
Anannual amount for a trail maintenance crew
identified unmet needs for deferred and unfunded items including
one-timecosts for site maintenance. This is further discussed in Chapter5 Demand & Need and
Chapter 7 Funding and Facilities Plan.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 37
VISION,PARKS
CHAPTER 4
CommunityProfile&Engagement
ThischapterdescribesthedemographicsofthePortTownsend communityandresultsof
Community Engagement efforts to update this plan.
COMMUNITYPROFILE
UnderstandingresidentdemographicshelpstheCityidentifyhowtobestserve currentand
future resident population with parks and recreation facilities and programs.
Since2010,PortTownsendhasbecomeincreasinglyolderwhilealsobecomingincreasinglyless
impoverished. The following section reviews the share of older and younger persons,
household characteristics, persons of color, and household income citywide.
Age
Asof2017,aboutone-thirdofCityresidentswere65yearsandolder,increasingfromabouta
quarter of City residents in 2010. The portion of City residents who are 24 years and younger
has held relatively constant from 2010 to 2017, from 21% to 22%, respectively.
The median age for PortTownsend as of 2017 was 55 years --similar to Jefferson County as a
whole,whichhadthehighestmedianageofanycountyinWashington Stateinthesametime
period.
SeeExhibit22forasummaryofhowthecitywideagedistributionhaschangedfrom2010to
2017.
38
CH.4| COMMUNITYPROFILE&ENGAGEMENT
Exhibit22.AgeDistributionin2010and2017
20102017
85andover85andover
1%2%3%
75to8475to84
3% 4%7%
65to7465to74
10%
11%21%
55to6455to64
9%10%
21%19%
45to5445to54
5%7%12%
35to4435to44
4%5%9%
25to3425to34
3% 4%7%
15to2415to24
4%5%9%
5to14
5to14
5%3%8%
Under 5yearsUnder 5years
2% 3%5%
0%5%10%15%20%25%
0%5%10%15%20%25%
MaleFemaleMaleFemale
Source:Sources:AmericanCommunitySurvey S01015-YrEstimates,2010&2017;BERKConsulting,2019.
Bothyouthandolderresidentsshouldhavefacilitiesorprogrammingthat aresuitedfortheir
needs and accessible, as barriers such as limited resources or transportation options may be
higher among this population than the rest of the community.
Households
Nearly40%ofPortTownsendhouseholdsareone-personhouseholdscomparedtoabout30%
of households in Jefferson County overall. Exhibit 23for a comparison on how persons per
households has changed in Port Townsend from 2010 to 2017.
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN |VISION,PARKS39
CH.4| COMMUNITYPROFILE&ENGAGEMENT
Exhibit23.PersonsPerHousehold
Sources:AmericanCommunitySurveyS25015-YrEstimates,2010&2017;BERKConsulting,2019.
AgeAppropriateRecreation
Recreationneedsforsingleadults,particularlytheolderadultsmoreprevalentinthecommunity,cansupport
aging in place and lifelong health.
Whereparkandrecreationagenciescanmakeareal,lastingdifferenceis inprovidingevidence-basedchronic
diseasepreventionand/ormanagementprogramsthatkeepolderadultshealthyandactiveforyearstocome
(Kevin Roth, 2017).
Recreationneedsforyouthincludestructuredactivitiesthatmeetdevelopmentalneedsofchildrenandteens.
Adolescentswanttodeveloptheircapacitiesbuttheyneedopportunitiesandappropriateadultinvolvement
and guidance to do so. (Witt, 2010)
Guidancefordevelopingparkandrecreationdepartmentyouthprograms includesthefollowingfeatures: physical
and psychological safety, structure that is developmentally appropriate, supportive relationships, opportunities to
belong,positivesocialnorms,supportforefficacyandmattering,opportunitiesforskillbuilding,and integrationof
family, schools, and community efforts. (Witt, 2010)
Diversity
Port Townsend has grown slightly more diverse since 2010; however, the population remains
largely white at 94% of the population in 2017. People of color identify as Black, Asian,
AmericanIndian/AlaskanNative,NativeHawaiian/PacificIslander,twoormoreracesorother.
PortTownsendisalsoslightlylessdiversethan JeffersonCountyoverall,whichis91%whiteas
of 2017
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN |VISION,PARKS40
CH. 4 | COMMUNITY PROFILE &ENGAGEMENT
There are Spanish-speaking children in public schools. Other languages spoken by students
include Thai, Tagalog, Chinese and Japanese;there are fewer of these language speakers than
for Spanish. (Palmer, 2019)
Income
Around 13% of Port Townsendresidents were living below the federal poverty linein 2017, a
decrease from about 17% in 2010. Jefferson County also had around 13% of residents living
below the federal
below the countywide median income at $50,330versus $51,842 and significantly below the
statewide median income of $66,174.
Theshare of Port households at different income levels is illustrated in Exhibit 24.
Exhibit 24. Household Income Shares 2010 and 2017
Sources: American Community Survey S1901 5-Yr Estimates, 2010 & 2017; BERK Consulting, 2019.
The share of households earning different income levels shows an increase in higher income
households and a decrease in households at lower income levels atthe city and county level in
2017. This may reflect the community attracting higher income households while still having a
significant share of households in need as living costs rise.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 41
CH. 4 | COMMUNITY PROFILE &ENGAGEMENT
Households receiving food stamps have slightly risen from 2010 to 2017 from 11.2% to 11.7%
according to theACS. The number of costburdened households, renters and owners, earning
80% or less of the area median income and spending more than 30% of their income on
housing costs is 48% as of the 2012-2016 ACS.
As described under the Health Surveybelow, a lack of economic resources and ability to access
recreation are concerns.
HEALTH SURVEY
Based onthe Jefferson County Community Health Assessment Report: Qualitative Findings from
Community Input, May 2019, top health and social concerns reflected the needs of both elderly
and young residents:
Access to health care
Barriers to accessing care
Affordable housing
Affordable childcare, and support for families with young children
Rural infrastructure challenges
Aging in place
Coordination across behavioral health, medical, justice and emergency response systems
One of several solutions for health and social challenges includes physical activity:
Community members and key informants felt that having access to outdoor recreation,
including hiking trails, hunting and fishing are key elementsto promoting physical activity in
the community. However, respondents reported challenges in the winter when indoor
facilities are unavailable.
The study of health in Jefferson County included an online survey as well as qualitative
interview results summarized above. About two thirds of the 1,107 respondents had a Port
Townsend Zip Code. Responding to a health survey, respondents living in Port Townsend
indicated they go for physical activity primarily: on paths (23%), outside at home (19%), and at
public parks/playgrounds (16%). Other opportunities included inside at home (12%), roads (9%),
schools (7%), paid gym/class (7%), and other.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 42
CH. 4 | COMMUNITY PROFILE &ENGAGEMENT
What would help Port Townsend individuals or families be more physically active included the
following top reasons:
Indoor options when weather is bad (17%)
More affordable classes/activities (17%)
More time (16%)
Information about activities or ways to be active thatare free (13%)
More places where I can be active near my home (10%)
Thesurvey asked about top challenges for senior citizens aged 65 years or greater. Port
Townsend respondents identified the following top five concerns:
Living on a fixed income
Social isolation/being lonely
Cost of needed assistance/care
Housing
Managing health problems
Providing affordable recreation programs may assist with thetwo top concerns.
Thesurvey respondentsalso identified the biggestchallenges for teens, with the top five being:
Substance use
Unhealthy orunstable home life
Maintaining emotional health
Abuse or misuse of technology (texting, internet, games, etc.)
Lack of afterschool or extracurricular activities
Having teen-oriented recreation programs could address the lack of afterschool or
extracurricular activities; the programs may also offer a sense of belonging and mastery ofskills
that can help with a number of the other top concerns.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 43
CH.4| COMMUNITYPROFILE&ENGAGEMENT
COMMUNITYENGAGEMENT
ThePROSPlanUpdateisbasedonpublicoutreachandengagementtohelpdefineanewvision,
needs, and actions. The City has provided extensive public input opportunities identified in
Exhibit 25. Results of these events are summarized below the table and details included in
Appendix B.
Exhibit25.Vision&SystemPlanParticipationSummary
ActivityApproximate
Participants
Tabling-Postcard
OctoberVisioning
Survey927
Postcards277
StakeholdersMeeting22
MiddleSchoolVisionEvent90
PublicOpenHouse93
VisionWorkshop
MVPPosterCommentsUndetermined
NovemberSystemPlanWorkshop
Staff&ParksBoardWorkshop19
PublicWorkshop70
Sources:BERKConsulting,2019.
MiddleSchool
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN |VISION,PARKS44
CH. 4 | COMMUNITY PROFILE &ENGAGEMENT
Vision Survey
Survey respondents from acrossthe city and across age groups use and enjoy parks and trails,
and have ideas about how to improve upon what is important to them.
Parks Visited: Most participants use parks in Port Townsend weekly or daily. The most visited
parks in Port Townsend are Fort Worden (a state park) and Chetzemoka (a city park), followed
by other facilities like North BeachPark (county park), Larry Scott MemorialTrail, and Mountain
View Pool.
Exhibit 26. Survey Participants: Frequency of Use
FREQUENCY OF VISITING PARKS FREQUENCY OFVISITING TRAILS
Source: Survey Monkey, BERK, 2019.
Trail Use: Trail use is daily or weekly, similar to park use. People primarily use trails for active or
passive recreation purposes rather than commuting. Fort Worden trails are most used. There is
also high use of trails in the east and south parts of the city. Most want to see a loop trail, and
would be satisfied with either a signed route or a multi-purpose trail.
Recreation Activities: The top five recreation activities include hiking or walking, wildlife/nature
viewing, and biking/mountain biking, swimming, and picnicking. HighSchool and MiddleSchool
kids identified many of the same activities as well as basketball and skateboarding. See Exhibit
27. The PROS Plan Update surveyin 2019 and a prior survey in2010 listedthe top two leisure
activities as 1) hiking/walking 2) wildlife/nature viewing. These activities have been listed
among the top five since 1975.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 45
CH.4| COMMUNITYPROFILE&ENGAGEMENT
Exhibit27.TopRecreationActivities
TOPACTIVITIESALLSURVEYTOPACTIVITIESSURVEYHIGHSCHOOLTOPACTIVITIESPOSTCARDMIDDLE
SCHOOL
Hiking or WalkingHiking or WalkingSwimming
Wildlife/Nature ViewingBicycling/MountainBiking Wildlife/NatureViewing
BasketballHiking
Bicycling/MountainBiking
SwimmingPicnicking
Swimming
Picnicking
Wildlife/Nature ViewingSkateboarding
Source:BERK2019.
Park Importance and Access: Most survey respondents depend on parks and open space to
provide opportunities for passive recreation purposes like hiking, walking, or enjoying nature,
and to provide environmental benefits for green space and wildlife. (See sidebar.) Most
participantsbelieveitisimportanttohaveparksoropen spacewithina10-minutewalkoftheir
home.
ComfortandSafety: Mostfeelwelcomeandsafewhetherusingtheparksingroupsoralone.
Most would useparks and trails more if theywere a) better/improved,b)if they could more
safely access them by foot or bike, or 3) if they had more time to visit them.
Iprimarilydependonparks&openspacetoprovide:
Pool:About30% ofthesurvey
(n=853)
View pool daily or weekly, about 35%
use the pool monthly or occasionally,
and another 35% never use the pool.
Mostrespondentsagreedverystrongly
or strongly about making capital
investments in the pool and exploring
partnerships. If the pool were to be
improved, most are interested in a 25-
meter lap lane and features for kids.
Most disagree with the idea that the
City should stop operating the pool and
exploreotheralternativeoptionsforthe
facility.
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN |VISION,PARKS46
CH.4| COMMUNITYPROFILE&ENGAGEMENT
WhichTHREEoftheFACILITIESareMOST
Golf: Most respondents (76%) do not golf at
importanttoyouoryourhousehold?Write
thePort Townsend municipal golfcoursepark,
your
orat othergolfcourseparksintheregion
(78%).Mostdo not have an opinion on the
operation (72%) of the golf coursepark.
Opinions were mixed on investmentoruseof
thegolf coursepark
Facility Needs: The most important facility
needsidentifiedbyparticipantsincludetrails,
indoor facilities (pool and centers), and open
space. (See sidebar.)
ProgramNeeds:Thetypesofprogramsdesired
by survey and postcard participants include
outdoor activities, indoor activities, and
community events. High School survey
participants and Middle School postcard
participants identified a need for sports and
classes for youth or teens.
ParkFeaturesandPriorities
When asked to distribute dollars towards projects, respondents put a higher average amount
ontheaquaticcenter,followedbytrailsandopenspace/habitat. Highschoolstudentsprovided
higher average dollars to the aquatic center, community center, and active recreation. See
Exhibit 28.
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN |VISION,PARKS47
CH.4| COMMUNITYPROFILE&ENGAGEMENT
Exhibit28.SurveyPriorities Howwouldyouspend$100AllRespondents(n=589)
FacilityResponsesAverage$100Normalized
Trails426$22.6$12.2
Aquatic Center423$42.2$22.7
382$22.0$11.9
Open Space,Habitat
Water Access325$12.1$6.5
321$13.0$7.0
Family Activities
Community Centers 296$16.8$9.0
264$18.7$10.1
Active Recreation
Golf CoursePark225$7.3$3.9
Other
121$30.9$16.6
Note:Normalizesresponsestoashareof$100.
Source: Survey Monkey, BERK 2019.
Reviewing photos of different facility types, Vision Workshop participants tended to choose
passiveoutdoorfeatures,though,MiddleSchoolstudentschosemoreactiveoutdoorfacilities.
See Exhibit 29.
Exhibit29.VisionWorkshop:Whatdoyouwantinyourparks?
VISIONWORKSHOPOCTOBER12MIDDLESCHOOL&STAKEHOLDERSOCTOBER11
GatheringspacesPlaySpraypark
Habitatrestoration WaterAccess
Looptrail
AdventureSportsClimbingWall
Source:BERK2019.
SystemWorkshop:Whichimprovementorfeature
MostparticipantsattheSystemPlan
would you prioritize working on first?
workshopwouldprioritizeaaction
as investing in existing parks before
adding new parks or programs. (See
sidebar.)
At the System Plan workshop,
participantsalsoshowedenthusiasmin
poll responses and small groups for:
Pickleball,swimming,andtrails
Source:PollEverywhere,BERK2019.
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN |VISION,PARKS48
CH.4| COMMUNITYPROFILE&ENGAGEMENT
Mixedopinionsonthepotentialplacementofactivesportsfacilitieswithapreference in
th
more central locations, e.g. Mountain View instead of 35Street Park
SupportforactiveplayareasinBobbyMcGarraughandlesssupportforplayareasinthe
eastern part of Sather Park
SupportforimprovedwateraccessatChetzemokaandimprovedpicnicareasat
Chetzemoka and Kah Tai parks
VisionThemes
AcrossVisionactivities,somethemesstoodoutasillustratedinExhibit30.Themesincluded:
Balancing aginginplace and comingofage inPortTownsend
Indoorandoutdoorrecreationforhealthylifestyles
Access,navigability,andsafety
Greenspaces
Specialization,flexibility,versatilityandcreativepartnerships
ThesePROSPlanVisionThemesareconsistentwiththeComprehensivePlanVisiontoensure
Port Townsend is great place to live, with a sense of place, that prizes its natural setting.
Exhibit30.VisionThemes
Specialization,
Balancingaging-in-Indoor & Outdoor
Access,navigability,flexibility, versatility,
place and coming ofRecreationforHealthyGreenspaces
andsafetyandcreative
ageinPortTownsendLifestyles
partnerships
AttheSystemPlanWorkshopattendedbyabout70persons,thethemethatresonatedthe
mostincludedandoutdoorrecreationforhealthyselectedby59%of
participants.Secondarily,wasselectedby29%ofthoseattendingtheworkshop.
aging-in-place and comingofage inPortreceived11%ofvotesatthe
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN |VISION,PARKS49
CH. 4 | COMMUNITY PROFILE &ENGAGEMENT
selected by 7% of participants. Last,
flexibility, versatility, and creative was selected by2% of
respondents.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 50
VISION,PARKS
CHAPTER 5
Demand&Need
INTRODUCTION
Buildingonthepriorreviewofcommunitydemographics,health,andengagement,
this Chapter focuses on demand and need for parks and recreation facilities and programs
considering:
Recreationtrends,
Participationanduseofthecurrentparksystem,
Futuregrowthandchange,
Gapsandopportunities,
Comparisonstobenchmarkcommunities,and
Levelsofservice
RECREATIONTRENDS
Recreation trends both locally and nationally were studied to better understand how existing
recreationprogramminginthePortTownsendarea alignswithwhatotherparkprovidersoffer
and what is desired by the public. They can also help the City anticipate new trends where
demands may not be filled by existing programming.
WashingtonStateand PeninsulasRegionParticipationTrends
Washington State surveys residents statewide every five years about outdoor recreation
demand and identifiesparticipation trends statewideand by region aspart of its Washington
StateRecreationandConservationPlan(Hedden,2017)(Jostad,2017).PortTownsendfallsin
the Peninsulas Region. Findings for 2017 are shown in Exhibit 31and include:
51
CH. 5 | DEMAND & NEED
The activity with the highest participation rate, is walking in a park or trail setting (84%
statewide, 85% Peninsulas region). This is true of respondents of all ages, genders, races,
and incomes. Walking as an activity has seen an increase in participation since the last
survey in 2012.
Visiting a water body of some kind directly appears in three of the 10 top activities.
Exhibit 31. Top-10 Outdoor Recreation Activities for the Peninsulas Region by Rank, 2017
% of
Rank Activity Category
Respondents
1 Walking in a park or trail setting Walking 85%
2 Visiting a beach ortide pools Nature Activities 75%
3 Visiting rivers and streams Nature Activities 64%
4 Gather orcollect things in a nature setting (e.g., rocks, shells, plants) Nature Activities 59%
Attending an outdoor concert or event (e.g. market, fairs,
57%
5 Leisure Activities
sporting events)
6 Scenic or wilderness area Sightseeing 57%
7 Day-hiking Hiking 54%
8 Wildlife or nature viewing Nature Activities 54%
9 Swimming/wading at a beach saltwater Swimming 49%
10 Driving or motorcycling for pleasure Sightseeing 48%
Source: (Jostad, 2017).
National Recreation Programmingand Facility Trends
A national survey of more than 1,400 public, non-profit, and private recreation providers
illustrates top planned facilities or programs in 2019 nationwide; see Exhibit 32.
Results show the top five facilities planned include splash play areas, playgrounds, fitness trails,
synthetic sports fields, and dog parks. The balance of facilities involve picnic shelters, trails,
restrooms, bleachers and seating, and fitness centers. The top five programs involve exercise,
fitness, education, programs for older adults, and mind-body balance. Remaining programs
include teen programs, day camps, special events,environmentaleducation, and special needs
programs.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 52
CH. 5 | DEMAND & NEED
Exhibit 32. Top Planned Facilities and Programsby Rank, 2019
Top 10 Planned Program Additions in 2019 Top 10 Planned Facilities in 2019
1 Group exercise programs (27.5%) 1 Splash play areas (21.1%)
2 Fitness programs (27%) 2 Playgrounds (17.6%)
3 Educational programs (26.6%) 3 Fitness trails and outdoor fitness equipment (17.1%)
4 Programsfor active older adults (25.9%) 4 Synthetic turf sports fields (16.8%)
5 Mind-body balance programs (24.5%)5 Dog parks (15.7%)
6 Teen programs (23.4%) 6 Park shelters (14.5%)
7 Daycamps and summer camps (23%) 7 Walking and hiking trails (13.8%)
8 Holidays and other special events (21.8%) 8 Park restrooms (13.8%)
9 Environmentaleducation (21.8%) 9 Bleachers and seating (12.9%)
10 Special needs programs (21.6%) 10 Fitness centers (12.5%)
Source: (Tipping, 2019).
Port Townsend Recreation Needs
Based on the results from the Vision Survey summarized in Chapter 4, the top three most
important needs for future recreation programming identified by respondents were outdoor
activities, indoor activities,andcommunity events. See Exhibit33 for a summary of recreation
programming needs identified by respondents.
Exhibit 33. Future Port Townsend Recreation Programming Needs, All Respondents
Source: BERK, 2019.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 53
CH. 5 | DEMAND & NEED
Unsurprisingly, given the differing needs of youth versus adults for recreation programming,
youthrespondents to the VisionSurvey identified contrasting priorities relative to the results of
all respondents. The most important needs for future recreation programming identified by
youth respondents were sports leagues, youth-focused classes or programming, daycare,
outdoor activities, and educational programming. See Exhibit 34.
Exhibit 34. Future Port Townsend Recreation Programming Needs, Youth Respondents
Source: BERK, 2019.
PARTICIPATION
Participation data forthe City as well as for the Jefferson County YMCA and Jefferson County
Parks and Recreation were compiled to gain further context for recreation programming
demand in the Port Townsend area.
Please note that this information was compiled from multiple recreation providers using
varying tracking methods; as such, not all data are directly comparable. For example, drop-in
recreation programming such as that offered at the Mountain View Pool through the City or at
the Port Townsend Community Center through Jefferson County is best measured in visitors
received whereas other programs such as arts and crafts programming through the YMCA is
best tracked through unique registrations.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 54
CH. 5 | DEMAND & NEED
City
programming is fairly robust, especially for a city of 9,600 people, though participants are
drawnfromalargerarea.SeeExhibit35forasummaryofparticipationintherecreation
programming.
Exhibit 35. Participation in City of Port Townsend Recreation Programs
Recreation Programs Unit of Year Youth/Adult Annual
MeasurementProgramming Participation
Club Swimming Registrations 2018 Youth 270
Swim Lessons Registrations 2018 Youth 1,080
Health and Fitness Classes Attendance 2019 Adult10,197
Total Annual Visits Visitors 2018 Youth & Adult 34,812
Notes: Health and Fitness Classes does not include Aqua Boxing or Power Lunch participation numbers; Total Annual Visits does
not include visitation from swim lesson programs.
Source: City of Port Townsend, 2019; BERK, 2019.
Other Recreation Providers in PortTownsend Area
General Recreation YMCA
TheOlympicPeninsula YMCA operates the YMCA of Jefferson County branch, which provides a
wide variety of programs. While these programs tend to have smaller registration numbers
relative to the City or the County, these programs are generally more specialized and fill
another niche. See Exhibit 36 for participation in YMCA of Jefferson County programming.
Exhibit 36. Participation in YMCA ofJefferson County Recreation Programming
Unit of Youth/Adult Annual
Program Type Year
MeasurementProgramming Participation
Arts & Crafts Registrations 2019 Youth 14
Child Care Registrations 2019 Youth 48
Family Activities Registrations 2019 Youth & Adult 50
Mentorship Registrations 2019 Youth & Adult 70
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 55
CH. 5 | DEMAND & NEED
Program Type Unit of Year Youth/Adult Annual
MeasurementProgramming Participation
SportsLeagues Adult Registrations 2019 Adult 106
Summer Day Camps Registrations 2019 Youth 37
Summer Overnight Camps Registrations 2019 Youth 28
Youth Nutrition Programs Registrations 2019 Youth 150
Sources: Olympic Peninsula YMCA, 2019; BERK, 2019.
General Recreation Jefferson County Parks and Recreation
sports leagues and sports camps along with drop-in recreation, but with a healthy amount of
registrations per program type. This usage aligns with the needs of Port Townsend residents
expressed in the Vision Survey of indoor activities and sports leagues (especially for youth). See
Exhibit 37 for annual participation and seasonality of programs offered by Jefferson County.
Exhibit 37. Participation in Jefferson County Parks and RecreationProgramming
Program Unit of Year Youth/Adult Annual Length
Measurement Programming Participation (Weeks)
Health and Fitness Classes N/A 2019 N/A* Year Round
Adult
Preschool N/A 2019 N/A* Year Round
Youth
SpecialNeeds Programs N/A 2019 N/A* Year Round
Youth & Adult
16+ Coed Rec Soccer League Registrations 2019 70 16
Adult
16+ CoedRec Soccer Pick-
Registrations 2019 68 36
Up (indoor and outdoor
depending) Adult
Youth Volleyball Camp Registrations 2019 35 1
Youth
Winter Wrestling Camp Registrations 2019 30 3
Youth
Summer Basketball Camp Registrations 2019 38 1
Youth
Basketball - 16+ Coed Rec
Registrations 2019 24 40
Evening at PT Rec Adult
Basketball -16+ Coed Rec
Registrations 2019 29 42
Adult
Morning Basketball M-W-F
Softball, 18+ Co-Ed Rec
Registrations 2019 220 12
Softball League (12 teams) Adult
Youth Basketball ~ Jr Hoops
Registrations 2019 178 9
PreK - 6 Youth
Soccer, Coed PreK - 8th
Grade Fall Rec Soccer Registrations 2019 169 9
League
Youth
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 56
CH. 5 | DEMAND & NEED
Program Unit of Year Youth/Adult Annual Length
Measurement Programming Participation (Weeks)
Soccer, Coed PreK - 6th
Grade Spring Rec Soccer Registrations 2019 254 9
League
Youth
Drop-In Recreation Visitors Avg. Estimate Youth & Adult 45,700 Year Round
Notes: *Participation numbers arenot recorded.
Sources: Jefferson County, 2019; BERK, 2019.
Senior FocusedPrograms Jefferson Countyand Jefferson Healthcare
Jefferson County contracts with the Port Townsend Senior Association (PTSA) to operate the
upstairs portion of the Port Townsend Community Center. The PTSA provides: senior meals,
senior exercise programs, learning opportunities, social activities, games, and meeting spaces
for local clubs, service organizations, and support groups. (Port Townsend Senior Association
(PTSA) , 2019) Usage information was not available at the time of this writing.
Jefferson Healthcare provides a Wellness Center offering senior exercise options including
fitness classes, cardio, balance, yoga, and pilates. Usage information wasnot known at the time
of this writing. (Jefferson Healthcare, 2019)
Maritime Recreation
Otherrecreation providers arespecialized with regard to maritime recreation, including:
Northwest Maritime Center: This center hosts the long-standing Wooden Boat Festival
started in 1978. In 1980 the center added youth and adult programs to offer on-the-water
opportunities in sailing, rowing, boatbuilding, and wooden boat regattas. Programs are
housed at the Northwest Maritime Center within a waterfront campus that opened in 2009
after much fund raising.
Marine Science Center: The Port Townsend Marine Science Center (PTMSC) is an
educational and scientific organization with its mission devoted to understanding and
conserving the marine and shoreline environment. The center has an aquarium and
museum. It offers wildlife cruises and beach low-tide walks. The center offers school-age
classes and tours and summer camps. The center provides a lecture series,andencourages
Citizen Science projects.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 57
CH. 5 | DEMAND & NEED
Arts and Recreation
Key City Public Theater offers Shakespeare in the Park at ChetzemokaPark every summer in
August. -What-You-
Centrum is a non-profitfocused on fostering creative artsexperiences for adults and children.
The center is located at Fort Worden. Offerings include:
Artists residencies
Musicworkshops and festivals
Writers conferences for high school age and adults
Youth programs in theater, music, dance, and science (the latter in coordination with the
Marine Science Center)
FUTURE GROWTH AND CHANGE
Population Growth
Port Comprehensive Plan is directed towards a 2036 population growth target of
12,165 persons, an increase of 2,555 persons beyond 2019, a 27% increase. See Exhibit 38.
Exhibit 38. Population Growth and Growth Target
2000 2010 2019 2036
Target
Population 8,334 9,113 9,610 12,165
Sources: State of Washington Office of Financial Management,2019.
To achieve the 2036 target, the City would experiencea 1.3% growth rate from 2019-2036. This
is higher than experienced from 2000-2010 at 0.9% or from 2011-2019 at 0.6%. See Exhibit 39.
Exhibit 39. Population Growth Rates
Period 2000-102011-19 2019-36
Growth Rate 0.9% 0.6% 1.3%
Sources: BERK, 2019.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 58
CH.5|DEMAND&NEED
The City has capacity for added residential growth and an increase in population would mean
anincreaseinuseanddemandforparksandrecreationfacilitiesandprograms.Seethelevelof
service analysis later in this chapter.
TourismTrends
PortTownsendisadestinationforvisitorsandsomeparks,particularlythoseinDowntownand
the Waterfront are visited. Tourism spending and employment have increased in Jefferson
County:
Tourismspendingforaccommodations,food,retail,artsandentertainment,andrecreation
in Jefferson County has increased from 2010-2018 by 5.5%.
Employmentintourismbusinesseshasincreasedfrom2010to2018by1.7%. (DeanRunyan
Associates, 2019)
Assuming tourism remains a strong aspect of the local economy it is likely that tourism will
increaseovertheplanninghorizonof2036.Usageofparksbyvisitorsislikewiselikelyto
increase with implications for special event planning and maintenance.
GAPSANDOPPORTUNITIES
Parks
Howimportantisitthateveryhouseholdhasaccessto
a park/open space within a 10-minute walk of their
PortTownsendhasampleparksacres
home? (n=855)
between its own inventory as well as
Fort Worden and County lands.
However, it is not distributed to all
neighborhoods. Exhibit 40illustrates
parcels within a half mile of City,
County, or State Parklands. Generally a
quarter to a half mile is considered
walkable. Ensuring there is parkland in
proximitytoamajorityofresidentswas
highlysupportedasdescribedin Chapter4CommunityProfile&Engagement.(Seesidebar.)
Based on access, there are gaps in central and western neighborhoods of Port Townsend.
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN|VISION,PARKS59
CH. 5 | DEMAND & NEED
Exhibit 40. Properties ina Half Mile of City, County, or State Parklands
Source: Jefferson County Assessor, Port Townsend GIS, BERK 2019.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 60
CH.5|DEMAND&NEED
It should be noted that the map in Exhibit 40accounts for proximity as well as quality (or
breadth) of facility offerings by location. As noted on the map some facilities have narrow or
broadofferingsforrecreation.Forexample,Garden Parks(CityEntrance,DahliaPark)provide
visual open space benefits but limited or no recreation opportunities, whereas, Chetzemoka
Park offers playgrounds, open lawns, picnic areas, restrooms, etc. Thus, the access gaps for
residentstofacilitiesofferingbroaderrecreationopportunitiesaregreaterinthewesternand
southwestern areas, given more comprehensive facilities are located in central and eastern
parts of town.
Thereareopportunitiestoclosetheseservicegapsinthecentralareasofthecitybypartnering
with the School District at Blue Heron Middle School. There are also opportunities to improve
thth
access and features at existing parks such as 35Street Parkor 13andHancockkto help serve
Formatted:Superscript
the western side of the city. Filling gaps in the trail network such as along Discovery Road
(described below) can help connect residents in the southwest to existing facilities.
Trails
ThroughCommunityEngagementresults,thepublicconveyedhighuseofexistingtrailsanda
desire for better connected trails. Most want to see a loop trail and would be satisfied with
either a signed route utilizing different trail types or a multi-purpose trail. See Exhibit 41.
Exhibit41.PotentialLoopTrail
ThePortTownsendLoop TrailisaconceptualizedthroughtheCityconnectingneighborhoods,schools,and
parks. What kind of Loop Trail would you want? (n=807)
Source:SurveyMonkey,BERK2019.
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN|VISION,PARKS61
CH. 5 | DEMAND & NEED
Community input received during the 2020 PROS Plan process affirms the Community Direction
Statement in the Comprehensive that lead to
surrounding districts and residential neighborhoods. This loop also unites an extensive system
of parks and open spaces, including many environmentally sensitive areas that provide
significant wildlife vision for a potential loop trail is reflected on theLand Use
Map adopted in concert with the Comprehensive Plan.
Specifically, the P/OS(A) - Potential Park and OpenSpace (overlay) shown on the Land Use Map
interconnected system of open spaces and trails. The P/OS(A) overlay appears in areas that
could be valuable if maintained as open spaces, such as wooded areas, drainage corridors, and
scenic vistas. These areas could accommodate multiple functions, including lower density
residential development, stormwater management, wildlife habitat, and passive recreation.
Three primary approaches are being considered inthe development of this network: outright
purchase of key properties; incentives for landowners to cluster new development in areas
Improving trail connections and amenities would also help encourage moreuse of parksin Port
Townsend, important to Vision Survey and Health Survey respondents described in Chapter 4.
See Exhibit 42.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 62
CH.5|DEMAND&NEED
Exhibit42.BetterUseofParksandTrails
WhatwouldencourageyoutouseparksandtrailsinPortTownsendmoreoften?(n=775)
Source:SurveyMonkey,BERK2019.
ThroughCommunityEngagementresults,specificrequestedtraillocationimprovements
included several along major routes to connect to destinations. See Exhibit 43.
Exhibit43.CommunityEngagementTrailImprovementRequests
IN-CITYTRAILIMPROVEMENTREQUESTREGIONALTRAILIMPROVEMENTREQUESTS
NearFairgrounds49thandSanJuanAve City Watershed Connect to Olympic Discovery Trail
Discovery Road West of Sheridan
SR 20/Sims Way West of Sheridan
ImprovementsatLarryScottTrailheadandbetter
Wayfinding from Ferry
Source:BERK,2019.
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN|VISION,PARKS63
CH. 5 | DEMAND & NEED
Recreation
The landscape of current recreation programming in the Port Townsend area was compared
with resident recreation programming needs as expressed through the Vision Surveyto identify
recreation programming gaps. Through this analysis, the following program gaps were
identified:
Publicly provided childcare, daycare or afterschool programs. There are currently no childcare,
daycare, or afterschool programs provided directly by either the City or Jefferson County. The
Jefferson County YMCA offers a childcare program while Jefferson County has a partnership
with a day care center in the Port Townsend Recreation Center. Nevertheless, among youth
respondents to the Vision Survey, daycare was amongthe mostimportant future programming
need identified. Providing more of these programs co
working families. The 2019 Health Survey also found that affordable childcare and support for
families with young children was important.
Senior specific or focused programming. Given that Port Townsend is becoming increasingly
older with over 30% of the population 65 and older as of 2017, there is a relative lack of
programming specifically targeting seniors. In the Port Townsend area, senior specific
programming primarily consists of the senior exercise programs offered through the Port
Townsend Senior Center and health and fitness activities through Jefferson Healthcare. While
not senior specific, the aquatic fitness classes offered through Mountain ViewPool also offer a
good senior exercise option.
Still, based on community feedback, residents recognize there is a need for additional senior
programming. In the Vision Survey, respondents were given the opportunity to rank their three
most important recreation needs -- -five most
important recreation needs after aggregation. Additionally, according to the 2019 Jefferson
County Community Health Survey, one ofthe top challenges for Port Townsend seniors was the
lack of recreational or social activities.
Cultural or educationalclasses or courseparks. In both the and in Jefferson
recreation programming offerings there is a strong focus on sports or fitness recreation without
much of a focus on cultural or educational classes. The YMCA does offer some arts and crafts
courseparks; however, these are offered only for youth and have minimal participation.
However, there does appear to be a strong desire for these types of offerings in the community.
Both adults and youth respondents for the Vision Survey identified enrichment or education
courseparks or classes as among the most important recreation needs for the future.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 64
CH. 5 | DEMAND & NEED
Environmental/wilderness programming or other non-sporting outdoor activities. Similar to
culturalor educational offerings above,thereis a lack of environmental or wilderness classes or
courseparks among recreation programming offerings in the Port Townsend area. There is a
Commented \[MT3\]: Should this still say "course" . I think
they are referring to classes and not so much "golf course"
strong interest and desire among the community for outdoor recreation and activities. Outdoor
activities were listed as the most important recreation programming need in the future among
all respondents of the Vision Survey.
BENCHMARKS
Benchmarking compares Port park system to peer communitiesor to communities
that offer aspirational park systems. While Port Townsend forms its own plans to meet its
insights.
Peer communities include other peninsula or tourist-oriented communities of Port Angeles,
Sequim, and Poulsbo. See Exhibit 44.
Exhibit 44. Peer Communities Reviewed
Number of Parks Total Acres
Name Population 2019
/ Sites Managed Managed
Port Angeles 23 270.0 19,370
Poulsbo 19 134.9 11,180
Port Townsend 26 189.2 9,610
Sequim 8117.0 7,695
Sources: State of Washington Office of Financial Management,2019; budgets 2019: BERK 2019.
Annually, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) provides benchmark
information for communities across the country similarin size as PortTownsend. Additionally,
NRPA accredits highly functioning systems through the Commission for Accreditation of Park
and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). This analysis reviews CAPRA accredited communities of
Bellevue and MetroParks Tacoma. While larger, this analysis considers their systems on a per
population or per acre basis for comparison. The inclusion of the CAPRA accredited systems is
industry best practices and standards.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 65
CH.5|DEMAND&NEED
ParksAcres
inventory with the golf coursepark. Compared to the full inventories of other communities,
lessthan 20,000 in population,
inventoryisrelativelyhigher.IfaddingtheFortWordenandCountypropertiestheacresper
1,000wouldbeevenhigher at70.9acresper1,000thoughthatwouldbetrueofotherpeer
communities if adding state and county facilities in their city limits.
Despitethehighacreageandasdescribedunder GapsandOpportunities,Portpark
acres are not distributed to all neighborhoods. Park improvements at undeveloped sites,
targeted partnerships with other public agencies, trail extensions, or acquisitions could help fill
the gaps.
Exhibit45.TotalAcresper1,000Population
Source:NRPA2019,CityandSpecialDistrictBudgets,BERK2019.
TrailMiles
Similartoparks,PortTownsendhasanabundanceoftrailmilesper1,000populationcompared
to peer and aspirational communities. See Exhibit 46.
Thoughabundant,thetrailsystemisnotcontinuous.Asdescribedin Chapter4,publicinputhas
identified some trail system desires and gaps in key locations.
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN|VISION,PARKS66
CH.5|DEMAND&NEED
Exhibit46.TrailMilesper1,000Population
Source:NRPA2019,CityandSpecialDistrictBudgets,BERK2019.
RecreationFacilities
Based on NRPA benchmarks for communities with a population density similar to Port
Townsend,thecombinedsportsinventoriesoftheState,County,Schools,andCityillustrate a
population ratio that is favorable. See Exhibit 47. Facility Benchmarking.
Exhibit47.FacilityBenchmarking
PopulationperFacility Populationper
FacilitiesFacilities
NRPA Benchmark*Facility
CityCountyStateSchools
Playgrounds3,1635211,201
BasketballCourts(outdoor)5,971411,922
TennisCourts(outdoor)4,2961241,373
DiamondFields-Youth6,5972221,373
RectangularFields-Multipurpose7,469261,201
DogPark47,00021**3,203
SkatePark44,00019,610
Notes:*Basedoncommunitieswithpopulationpersquaremileof1,501to2500.TheCityhasapopulationdensityof1,594in
2019.
**Thefairgroundsarenotoperatedbythecounty,butbythefairboardunderlease.
Source: Jefferson County PROS Plan 2015, OFM, 2019; NRPA 2019; BERK, 2019.
TheNRPAbenchmarksaddresstypicalfacilities.Afacilitytypenotbenchmarkedispickleball
which has seen local interest in community clubs, and Vision Survey responses.
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN|VISION,PARKS67
CH.5|DEMAND&NEED
MaintenanceandOperations
Theshareofexpendituresperacreofmanagedsites,excludingthegolfcoursepark,isin
the range of examined jurisdictions including the pool. See Exhibit 48. However, the
neighboring
communities(Poulsbo,Sequim,PortAngeles)donotoperatepools,soonceexcluded,the
expenditures per acre are less than nearly all agencies. The golf courseparkis excluded in these
estimates since the City does not maintain it.
Mostpeercommunitiesreferenced donotoperatepools,exceptMetroParksTacoma.Thelevel
of outdoor pool operation is about 52% in NRPA benchmark information; the percentage with
indoor pools is not known.
Exhibit48.MaintenanceandOperationsExpendituresperAcreofManagedSites
Note:MetroParksTacomaoperatesindoorpools. Othercitiesreferenceddonotmanagepools.TheNRPAnotesthat52%of
agencies have outdoor pools as of 2019; the number with indoor pools is not known.
Acronyms: CAPRA = Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies; this agency has accredited the listed
jurisdiction|ppsm =personsper squaremile;theNRPAhasidentifiedtheexpendituresoftypicalagenciesbasedondensityof
population.
Sources:NRPA,2019;CityandAgencyBudgets2019;BERK,2019.
Resultsaresimilarwhenconsideringoperatingexpensespercapita.See Exhibit 49.Port
Townsend is in the range of peers and lower when excluding the pool, a feature most
communities do not have under their management as a public facility.
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN|VISION,PARKS68
CH.5|DEMAND&NEED
Exhibit49.OperatingExpensesperCapita2019
Sources:NRPA,2019;CityandAgencyBudgets2019;BERK,2019.
LEVELOFSERVICE
AdoptedLevelofService
Theadoptedlevelofservice(LOS)isanacres-basedformulaestablishedinthe1990swith
Plan Capital Facilities Element continues to identify 7.6 acres per 1,000 population as the
standard. However, the Comprehensive Plan defers to this PROS Plan for direction on local
servicestandardsforaccess,distribution,and
The2014PROSPlanindicatedthattheacres-basedLOSismeasuredtoexcludethegolf
courseparkacres and to exclude the water area of Kah Tai Lagoon. With that measurement
standard, the City has adequate acres to serve its population today but there would be a deficit
of about 7 acres with the 2036 population projection established in County Resolution 38-15.
See Exhibit
50.Ifthegolfcourseparkwith58.9acresandthelagoonwith 44.7acresisincluded,the
reserves would increase.
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN|VISION,PARKS69
CH. 5 | DEMAND & NEED
Exhibit 50. LOS Evaluation: Comprehensive Plan 7.6 Acres per 1,000 Population
Acres Acres Acres Net
Net
Acres per
Needed Available Available Reserve
Meets Reserve
YearPopulation@ 7.6\[minus 1,000with Golf \[deficiency\]
LOS \[deficiency\]
per Golf & Population & Lagoon in Acres
in Acres
1000 Lagoon\]
1993 7,755 58.9 59.0 7.6 Yes 0 130.6 71.7
2010 9,113 69.3 74.6 8.2 Exceeds 5 146.2 76.9
2019 9,610 73.0 85.6 8.9 Exceeds 13 189.2 116.1
2036 12,165 92.5 85.6 7.0 Exceeds \[7\] 189.2 96.7
Source: City of Port Townsend, 2014; BERK, 2019.
This PROS Plan carries forward the Comprehensive Plan LOS policy as a base standard. Target
LOS measures are presented below to address
referenced in the Capital Facilities Element. The base and target LOS help the City to acquire
and develop parks consistent with Comprehensive PlanLand Use Element Policy 4.3 in Chapter
2. Alternative means of measuring the acres available to the public are also provided for
consideration in future Comprehensive Plan Updates.
Target LOS
Equitable Access and Distribution
This PROS Plan establishes an equitable access and distribution objective:
Provide parks and recreation facilities within a 10-minute walk (approximately a half mile,
Trust For Public parkscore, about 68% of currentPort Townsend residents are within
a 10-minute walk of a park. This objective would increase the percentage of residents with
equitable access over the Comprehensive Plan period.
Ensure parkland within a 10-minute walk meets minimum standards forthe park
classification.
Prioritize neighborhoods with higher concentrations of families with children or seniors
living alone.
Target filling of gaps in central andwestern city limits by 2036. See Exhibit 40.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 70
CH. 5 | DEMAND & NEED
Consider phasing improved access by filling in missing links in trails, improving existing
parkland that does not meet minimum standards, partnering with other public agencies
such as schools or Jefferson County to make available properties to the public for
recreation, and targeted acquisitions.
Function
Per Capita Investment: To maintain functionality, the PROS Plan establishes an objective that
the value of the system the City has invested in does not decrease as the community grows.
As of 2019, on a per capita basis the City has invested in the system at about $910 in
facilities and $3,250 to $6,670 in land. See Exhibit 51. This is estimated from insurance
values in structures and an average value per acre considering several park sites in the
inventory. If investing at a similar rate as the current population, thetotal investment need
in the future by 2036 with the planned 2036 population up to 12,165 would equal nearly
$11 to $20 million.Fora typical capital facility plan 6-year period, the level of investment
would be $3.8 to $6.9 million. Annually, this is approximately $625,000 to 1,150,000 per
year. See Exhibit 49 for the current per capita investment value and Exhibit 52 for the
application of the per capita investment value to future population growth.
The median investment per year considering all NRPA agencies of all sizes is just over $800,000
per year. Agencies with asimilar population density as PortTownsend manage capital programs
of about $1.1 million per year. Agencies managing 250 acres or less of parkland tend to have
capital budgets of about $280,000 per year. See Exhibit 53. Locally, the 2019 budgeted
investments for nearby communities ranged from $145,000 (Sequim) to $300,000 (Port
Angeles) to $687,000 (Poulsbo).
Future investments should addcapacity to the system consistentwith this plan and without
decreasing the value of the system enjoyed today. This plan proposes an annual investment
range of $300,000 to $900,000 per year, depending on available funding sources.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 71
CH. 5 | DEMAND & NEED
Exhibit 51. Investment Per Capita2019
Estimates Low Estimates High
Population 2019 9,610 9,610
Average Assessed Value per Park Acre* $201,087 $412,987
InventoryAcresExcludingLagoon(OpenWater)**155.2155.2
Land Value $31,200,700 $64,079,000
Land Value per Capita (rounded) $3,250 $6,670
Insurance Value Facilities $8,768,380 $8,768,380
Improvement Value per Capita (rounded) $910 $910
Total Land andImprovement Value per Capita $4,160 $7,580
Notes: *High includes average for Community (Chetzemoka and Kah Tai) and Neighborhood Parks (Bishop Play Park, Bishop
Park, Sather Park FieldEast, Baker View, and13th and Hancock). Low is the medianvalue per acre of all available land values for
Community, Neighborhood, Special Use (Golf), and Garden Parks. Values for Downtown Parks not available. Not all park sites
have Assessor land values due to exempt status.
**Open Water is 34 acres per Assessor. Since land values available for Kah Tai in part, did not discount wetlands.
Source: Jefferson County Assessor, Association of Washington Cities, BERK Consulting, 2019
Exhibit 52. Future Investment 2019-2036
Low High
2036 Population 12,165 12,165
Net PopulationIncrease 2019-2036 2,555 2,555
Total Per Capita Investment Value $4,160 $7,580
Future Total Value to be Invested 2019-2036 $10,628,800 $19,366,900
Annual Investment 2019-2036 $625,224 $1,139,229
6-Year Investment $3,751,341 $6,835,376
Source: Jefferson County Assessor, Association of Washington Cities, OFM, BERK Consulting, 2019
Exhibit 53. Example Agency Annual Capital Investments
Example Agency Example Annual
Investment
Acreage ofparks maintained: 250 or fewer acres $280,000
Median Capital Budget Investment All Agencies $801,450
Agencies serving Population per Square Mile: 1,501 TO 2,500 $1,074,350
Source: (National Recreation and Park Association, 2019)
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 72
CH. 5 | DEMAND & NEED
Maintenance Investment: Another functional measure is to ensure that maintenance resources
keep up with increased usage. This PROS Plan establishes an objective that the 2019
maintenance investment per capita of about $120 is carried forward as the population grows to
ensure budgeted resources increase as usage grows. The estimate includes the 2019 budgeted
expenditures plus the unmet maintenance needs divided by the 2019 population. Applying
$120 per capita to the 2036 population target would equal about $307,000, or 3 FTEs.
Exhibit 54. Maintenance Per Capita 2019
Element Amount
City Budget 2019: Parks and Pool Expenditures $1,043,506
City Budget Unmet Need 2019:Restoration of 1.0 Parks Maintenance FTE $100,000
City Budget Unmet Need 2019: Puget Sound Crew - Trail Maintenance $5,000
2019 Population 9,610
Maintenance Needs per Capita: Budgeted and Unbudgeted $119.50
Population increase 2019-2036 2,555
Increase in Maintenance Resources Needed by 2036 (rounded) $305,300
Source: City of Port Townsend, 2019: BERK 2019
If measuring maintenance costs by acres the rate is $3,200 excluding the pool expenditures and
$6,100 including the pool expenditures, and both excluding the golf coursepark acres since
those are not maintained by the City but rather the lessee. If the City added two parks of 10
acres each (total 20 acres) to fill gaps in the system, that would equal a need for $66,000 per
year assuming the cost per acre excluding the pool. The amount of resources needed depends
on the acquisitions and there may be one or two increases rather than a gradualincrease based
on population growth.
Future Quantity Measures
In future Comprehensive Plan Updates, the City could consider focusing its acres-based LOS on
acres of parkland open to the public. Thiscould include the golf courseparkacres and exclude
park acres that are not providing a minimum level of service; the latter of which would require
defining. The City could also set goals with regard to park sites that meet the minimum park
standards in Chapter 6 Park & Recreation System Plan.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 73
VISION,PARKS
CHAPTER 6
Park&RecreationSystemPlan
This Chapter provides minimum standards for parks, and concept plans for key parks. It
identifiesthetrailsystemclassesandimprovementstandards.Italsodescribesthe
process for adding and modifying its suite of programs.
PARKS
GuidingPrinciples
Guiding principles have been established to steer the focus and the growth of the Port
Townsend parks and recreation system. These principles are to work in concert with the Vision
Themes,identifiedin Exhibit30,andareincorporatedthroughoutthePROSplanupdate tobest
meet the needs of the community.
Address deferred maintenance and critical maintenance needs.
Develop park stewardship and master plans to guide investments.
Investinexistingparkstomeetcommunitydesires(ordemands,needs,etc.)andaddress
expected growth.
AchieveequitableaccessanddistributionbyfillingingapsincentralandwesternPort
Townsend through improved trails, partnerships, and targeted acquisitions.
HierarchyofParks
Parks are classified based on their function and service area. Classified parks are mapped on
Exhibit55.Summaryclassificationsareincludedinthetextboxfollowingthemap. Theprimary
purpose and features of each classified park follow in Exhibit 56.
75
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
Exhibit 55. Park Classifications Map
Source: BERK 2019.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 76
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
Park Classification Summary
Community Parks are larger parks serving multiple neighborhoods drawing residents from across the
community as well as visitors from the county and beyond. Community Parks offer places for
community gatherings, family activities, and active or passive enjoyment of facilities and amenities.
th
Chetzemoka Park anchors the east side of Port Townsend, Kah Tai Lagoon the center, and 35 Street
Park the west side. Sub-classes identify if the park is more Active or Nature focused.
Neighborhood Parks provide local opportunities for frequent and convenient access to basic
recreation activities and opportunities. Seven parks are considered Neighborhood Parks and serve
residential areas throughout the community. Neighborhood Nature Parks such as Sather Forest Park
provide passive enjoyment opportunities and Neighborhood Active Parks like Bobby McGarraugh
Park provide more intense play, sports, and other active recreation opportunities. Sub-classes
identify if the park is more Active or Nature focused.
Downtown Parks serve the historic downtown and uptown areas and offer water access, urban
community gathering and special event space, and other recreation features at six locations. They
may provide neighborhood park functions for residents living in the urban core. These parks may be
referenced in other Comprehensive and Subarea Plans as Urban Pocket Parks, the 2014 Classification.
Garden Parks provide landscape features that offer visual relief and limited public access or
amenities. Four such parks are at entries and along roadways in the city. They are small in size and
may only provide avisual buffer or beautification enhancement to the urban or other environment
that surrounds them.
Special Use Parks are focused typically around a single purpose or unique set of facilities; five such
parks are included in Port Townsend offering indoor or outdoor recreation often with an active
recreation focus. This classification can be combined with others.
The Nature sub-classification identifies parks where the primary purposes include nature and wildlife
habitat conservation, passive recreation such as trails and viewpoints, and educational and cultural
appreciation elements. Intensive areas of development are limited based on the environmental
characteristics of the park.
The Active sub-classification identifies parks that are designed forfrequent and convenient access to
recreation activities and opportunities such as family activities (picnic, gathering), active recreation
(play, sports, other), and passive recreation (trails, open lawn/turf, informal activity). These parks
would also contribute open space and environmental values.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 77
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
Exhibit 56. Park Areas of Focus/Key Features
Primary PurposeKey Features
,
es
,
l
c
ci
l
i
tn
a)
a
a
nr
n
ar
o
p
nn
i
tc
oe
sTm
it
i
i
oo
(
r
h
t
i i
ns
a
b
P
t
tt
n
so
a(
n
ev)
a
f
aa
or
eO
e)
esgo
i
H
n
ri
ece
e,
r
try
enI
t
cr
cr
sii t
s
/
ae
i
G,
c
rc
tat
e
fe
A
ei
v
v
r
fn
ere
/ee
i
Classification crR
v
lr
ro
t
ui
RPh
R
ae
rw
a
ec
ttc
p
sB
r
t
t
pa
oec
aee
AS
e
oL
Sna
g
o
v
A
rR
,
G
i
oe
a
d
n
nty
P
y
W
te
t
d
l
ic
eea
m
i
v
l
r
u
n
i
ppA
a
I
P
es
m
O
(
n
Os
O
Ha
r
a
F
O
P
Community Park
35th Street Park Nature/Active X X X X X
Chetzemoka Park Active X X X X X
Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park Nature X X X
Neighborhood Park X X X
13th & Hancock NatureActiveX X
Baker View Park Active (future) X X X
Bishop Park Nature X X
Bishop Play Park Active X X X
BobbyMcGarraugh Park Active X X X X
Sather Park (east) Active (future) X X X
Sather Park Forest (west) Nature X X
Downtown Park
Adams Street Park X X
Bell Tower X
Haller Fountain/Terrace StepsX ?
Pope Marine/Jackson Park X X X X
Rotary Park X X
Tyler Street Stairs X
Garden Park
City Entrance X
Dahlia Park (T1) X
Gateway Park (T2) X
Triangle III Park (T3) X
Special Use
ElmiraStreetPark(future)XXX
GolfCoursePark X X
Larry Scott Memorial Trail X X X
Mountain View Park and Pool X X X X
Special Use/Neighborhood*
Skateboard Park X X
*Includes a dog park.
Sources: City of PortTownsend, BERK 2019.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 78
CH.6|PARK&RECREATIONSYSTEMPLAN
MinimumStandards/AllowableFeatures
Eachparkshouldbeimprovedovertimeto achieveminimumstandardstomeettheneedsof
thecommunityandtoprovideforconsistentandsustainablemanagementandmaintenance.
been applied to existing city, county, and state-owned parks, recreation areas, and city-owned
orcontrolledlandswhichprovidevaluablenaturalandopenspaceInadditiontothe
PROS Plan
including allowable uses, bulk, and dimensional standards.
CommunityParks
Community Parks are larger parks providing a variety of major recreation facilities, open space,
and/or recreation programming, serve multiple neighborhoods, and are generally treated as a
destination for visitors. These parks also tend to offer accommodations and infrastructure for
community events. Community Parks often reflect a shared community identity, and offer
flexibilityacrossrecreationandprogrammingtypesthroughouttheyear.Theirsizeandrangeof
offerings attract visitors and neighbors whomay travel further distances and stay longer
periods of time requiring more allowance and provisions for parking, seating, restrooms and
family support amenities. Sub-classes identify if the park is more Active or Nature focused.
Exhibit57.CommunityParks
ChetzemokaParkKahTaiPark35thStreetPark
Parksinthiscategoryalsooftenhaveuniqueoridentifyingcharacteristicsfurtherdescribedas:
Chetzemoka Park: Established in 1904 this park sits on a gently sloped hillside overlooking
AdmiraltyInlet.Itprovidesahighlymanicuredsitewithuniquegardens,multipleplayareas,
family picnic facilities, and community gathering spaces including a gazebo and a vast
lawn/natural amphitheater where cultural events are held.
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN|VISION,PARKS79
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
Kah Tai Lagoon Park: The lagoon is a natural area associated with marsh, wetlands, and
grasslands and provides nesting, feeding, and breeding habitat for birds, ducks and other
wildlife. The area is set aside for preservation of natural resources and open space to serve
wildlife habitat and compatible passive recreation uses.
35th Street Park: This park currently offers passive unimproved trails. Its future uses are
meant to be further defined through a park master plan. Early concepts in this PROS Plan
emphasize trails and passive elements. Smallareas for family activities and sport courts are
suggested.
In thePort Townsend Collection:
Community Active: Chetzemoka Park
Community Nature: KahTai Lagoon Nature Park
Community Nature/Active To Be Determined: 35thStreet Park
Minimum Size: 10 acres+.
Community Active Park
Keyfeatures might include: Family Activities (Picnic, Gathering), Passive Recreation (Trails,
Open Lawn/Turf, Informal Activity), Water Access, Active Recreation (Play, Sports, Other).
Oftensought after for: OutdoorRecreation, Open Space/ Habitat Preservation.
At a minimum theparks should aim to provide everything neighborhood-active parks do plus:
Community gathering and event space
Infrastructure for gathering and events (e.g. audio, lighting etc.)
Interpretive signage
Off-street parking, adequate but conservative
Pathways between elements and to safely enter and exit the parkas well as pathwaysto
navigate around the property (e.g. loop path)
Permanent restroom facilities (universal design, gender equity, and family
accommodations)
Play equipment, multi-age and ability levels
Shelters that can accommodate numerous and/or largergroups
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 80
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
Where possible, and appropriate in their contexts, parks falling into thistypology should
consider everything in neighborhood-active parks as well as:
Conservancy andnature park protections
Designated sports courts and fields (and subsequent lighting) and skate park/infrastructure
in Community-Active parks
Designated dog areas (on and off-leash) in Community-Active parks
Moresubstantive plantings including groundcovers, understoryand canopy,with a focus on
native species and no invasive species
Gardens, arboretums, food forests
Storage and maintenance buildings
Use of green stormwater infrastructure approaches
Because of theintent and goals for community parks they should limit where appropriate:
Extensive off-street parking
Threats to flexible multi-use activities and landscaped,natural or habitat areas
Sports complexes or regional-scale facilities (see SpecialUse)
Community Nature Park
Often sought after for:natural and or cultural environment, passive recreation, nature and
wildlife habitat.
At a minimumthe parks should aim to provide:
Community gathering space appropriate to site conditions and to support environmental or
cultural education
Picnic shelters or picnic furnishings thatcan accommodate groups in appropriately focused
site locations
Interpretive signage with a preference for low-intrusion Interpretive or educational facilities
Off-street parking, adequate but conservative to reduce impervious areas and development
footprints
Pathways between elements and to safely enter and exit the park as well as pathways to
navigate around the property (e.g. loop path)
Permanent restroom facilities (universal design, gender equity, and family
accommodations) where feasible
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 81
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
Limits on the amenities provided to the numbers and types of visitors the area can
accommodate whileretaining its resource value, natural character, and the intended level
of solitude
Natural character and restoration and maintenance as needed to ensure healthand
longevity
Supportive of solitude and passive or quiet experiences and recreation
Trails, soft-surface or permeable materials
Where possible, and appropriate in their contexts,parks falling into this sub-typology should
consider:
Trash receptacles, and leash and scoop dispensers, where applicable
Viewpoints or viewing blinds
Restoration ofthe natural resource values of the site
Use of green stormwater infrastructure approaches
Because of theintent and goals for conservation in community nature parks they should limit:
Turf areas
Exotic plantings
Sources of light andglarethat may interfere with the natural, open space, and habitat
character of the park.
Neighborhood Parks
Neighborhood Parks are intended for frequent and convenient access to basic recreation
activities and opportunities. They typically serve neighborhoods within walking distance of a ¼
to ½ mile. These parks best serve nearby residents and visitors in less formal or organized
recreation andleisure. Neighborhood Parks provide open space values. They are less suited for
longer stays, heavily programmed activities, or larger rental or permit-required spaces. These
parks prioritize open space over parking and encourage visitation through pedestrian and bike
networks. Sub-classes identify if the park is more Active or Nature focused.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 82
CH.6|PARK&RECREATIONSYSTEMPLAN
Exhibit58.NeighborhoodParks
BobbyMcGarraughParkSatherParkForest
MinimumSize:Typically1-5acresinsize.
InthePortTownsendCollection:
NeighborhoodActive:BobbyMcGarraughPark,BakerViewPark,BishopPlayPark,Sather
Park (east), 13th&Hancock
NeighborhoodNature:BishopPark,SatherParkForest(west),13th&Hancock
NeighborhoodActivePark
Formatted:ListParagraph,SpaceBefore:3pt,Bulleted
+Level:1+Alignedat:1"+Indentat:1.25",Tab
stops:1.25",Left
KeyFeatures mightinclude:FamilyActivities(Picnic,Gathering),PassiveRecreation(Trails,
Open Lawn/Turf, Informal Activity), Active Recreation (Play, Sports, Other).
Oftensoughtafterfor:OutdoorRecreation,OpenSpace/HabitatPreservation,Ornamental/
Greenspace Buffer.
Ataminimumtheparksshould aimto provide:
Openandaccessiblelandscapeforunstructuredactivity,play,andrespite
Basicmaintenance,careandlandscapeimprovements
Pathwaysbetweenelementsandtosafelyenterandexitthepark
Simpleseatingwhereappropriateandaccommodating
Universalplayequipment
Wherepossible,andappropriateintheircontexts,parksfallingintothistypologyshould
consider:
Conservancyandnatureparkprotections
Naturalorlow-interventionareasandgreenspace
Communitygardensorfoodforest
Irrigation
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN|VISION,PARKS83
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
Seating, shelters, tables andBBQs
Sports and fitness accommodations, surfacing and equipment
Open playfields
Restrooms permanent or portable, only where/when needed (in peak times)
Use of green stormwater infrastructure approaches
Because of theintent and goals for neighborhood parks they should limit where appropriate:
Offstreetparking
Horticultural programs and plantings that do not have a committedmaintenance program
or sponsor
Specialized maintenance heavy equipmentand amenities, especially thoserequiring staff
supervision
Designated dog parks
Neighborhood Nature Park
Often sought after for:natural and or cultural environment, passive recreation, nature and
wildlife habitat.
At a minimumthe parks should aim to provide:
Limits on the amenities provided to the numbers and types of visitors the area can
accommodate whileretaining its resource value, natural character, and the intended level
of solitude
Natural character and restoration and maintenance as needed to ensure health and
longevity
Supportive of solitude and passive or quiet experiences and recreation
Trails, soft-surface or permeable materials
Low-intrusion Interpretive or educational facilities
Where possible, and appropriate in their contexts,parks falling into this sub-typology should
consider:
Trash receptacles, andleash and scoop dispensers, where applicable
Viewpoints or viewing blinds
Restoration ofthe natural resource values of the site
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 84
CH.6|PARK&RECREATIONSYSTEMPLAN
Useofgreenstormwaterinfrastructureapproaches
Becauseoftheintentandgoalsforconservationinneighborhoodnatureparkstheyshould
limit:
Turfareas
Exotic plantings
Sourcesoflightandglarethatmayinterferewiththenatural,openspace,andhabitat
character of the park.
DowntownParks
Downtown Parks are located in the downtown/uptown urban core and provide plazas and
urban community gathering and special event spaces, waterfront or shoreline access, art and
cultural facilities, or picnic or other passive enjoyment facilities. In some instances, Downtown
Parks serve the needs met by neighborhood parks for residents living in the urban core. These
parksmaybereferencedinotherComprehensiveandSubareaPlansasUrbanPocketParks,the
2014 Classification.
Exhibit59.DowntownParks
HallerFountain/TerraceStepsPopeMarinePark/JacksonTidalParks
InthePortTownsendCollection:AdamsStreetPark,BellTower,HallerFountain/TerraceSteps,
Pope Marine Park, Jackson Tidal Park, Rotary Park, Tyler Street Stairs.
Keyfeatures mightinclude: WaterAccess,FamilyActivities(Picnic,Gathering),Passive
Recreation (Trails, Open Lawn, Informal Activity).
Often soughtafter for:OutdoorRecreation,Ornamental/GreenspaceBufferorHeritage
Preservation.
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN|VISION,PARKS85
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
At a minimumthe parks should aim to provide:
Spaces for events and gathering activities
Green spaces and plantings
Seating
Lighting and electricity (as appropriate and feasible)
Where possible, and appropriate in their contexts,parks falling into thistypology should
consider everything in neighborhood parks as well as:
Expanded utilities, sheltersand seating for programming, gatheringand permitted events
A horticultural program to include healthy and maintained landscaping (understory and
canopy) and hangings/boxes with a focus on native plants and no invasive plant species
Interpretive signage
Use of green stormwater infrastructure approaches
Because of the intent and goals for landscape parks they should limit where appropriate:
Off-street parking is not recommended
Garden (or Landscape) Park
Garden Parks include medians, gateways, rights of way, and small greenspaces, with
ornamental plantings, trees and sometimes limited amenities such as a bench or interpretive
signage. Garden Parks address limited, isolated, or unique recreation or open space needs. The
parks usually do not serve contexts much beyond their immediate vicinity and may or may not
include green space or plantings. Garden Parks may include park benches, or streetscape
buffers. They are small in size and may only provide a visual buffer or beautification
enhancement to the urban or other environment that surrounds them.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 86
CH.6|PARK&RECREATIONSYSTEMPLAN
Exhibit60.Garden(Landscape)Parks
CityEntranceParkGatewayPark TriangleII
InthePortTownsendCollection:CityEntrance,DahliaPark(TriangleI),TriangleParkIIIat
Kearney/Sims Way, Gateway Park (Triangle II).
Keyfeaturesmightinclude: HorticulturalProgramming,HeritagePreservation,Passive
Recreation Often sought after for: Ornamental/ Greenspace Buffer.
Wherepossible,andappropriateintheircontexts,parksfallingintothistypologyshould
consider:
Accessiblepedestriansafetyandrespiteamenities
Buffersfromvehicularactivity
Accesstoutilitiesandirrigationasappropriate,usefulandsafe
Communitygardensorfoodforests
Encourageuseof nativeplantsthatattractwildlife
Useofgreenstormwaterinfrastructureapproaches
Becauseoftheintentandgoalsforlandscapeparkstheyshould limit whereappropriate:
Off-streetparkingisnotrecommended
SpecialUseParks
Special Use Parks are designed for specialized or single-purpose recreation activities. These
purposesmayinclude golf courseparks, marinas,sportcomplexes,communityand aquatic
centers, historicalareas,naturecenters,conservatories,amphitheaters,orotherpurposes.
Theseparks typically offer a narrower range of recreation uses or amenities. Special Use Parks
may carry a double classification.
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN|VISION,PARKS87
CH.6|PARK&RECREATIONSYSTEMPLAN
Exhibit61.SpecialUseParks
GolfCourseParkMountainViewPoolSkatePark
InthePortTownsendCollection:
SpecialUse:GolfCoursePark,LarryScottMemorialTrail,SkateboardPark,Elmira
Street Viewpoint Park
SpecialUse/Neighborhood:MountainViewParkandPool
Keyfeatures mightinclude:PassiveRecreation(Trails,Open Lawn,InformalActivity),Active
Recreation (Play, Sports, Other).
Often soughtafter for:OutdoorRecreation,IndoorRecreation.
Consider useofgreenstormwaterinfrastructureapproaches.
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN|VISION,PARKS88
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
Concept Plans
Parks representing different landscapes, locations, and classifications were studied conceptually
for a range of potential parks uses. Desired features and concepts were reviewed at Vision and
System Workshops in fall 2019 to gain public input. Concepts for the following parks are
described on the following pages:
Chetzemoka Park
Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park
35th Street Park
Sather Park
Bobby McGarraugh Park
Elements of the park concepts vary by park as listed in Exhibit 62. It is important to note that
these are concept ideas for potential future park improvement and that, at the time of
development, master planning to a greater detail would occur when appropriate and be the
subject of more focused public input and may be subject to review under the State
EnvironmentalPolicy Act, the City of Port Townsend Critical Areas Ordinance and/or Shoreline
Master Program. Future designs may depart from the concept plans in this document.
Exhibit 62. Key Featuresof Park Concept Plans
s
s
ls
d
i
g
e
r
d
n
as
v
ne
n
iri
ar
f
dg
tt
a
f
T/
e
g
sn
n
c
sfs
/n
ssui
e
neft
a
sr
A
ca
iiyp
B
ws
l
u
rae
/c
a/
a
do
Park Name
i
ee
t
P
t
eBh
i
s
pr
o
n
n
nrt
w
ta
i
e
SVL
o
c
d
rft
Ea
Ah
i
i
v
F
t
yin
o
G
P
b
y
t
a
aa
p
a
aa
P
Sl
H
W
N
P
Chetzemoka Park X X X X X X X
Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park X X X X X
th
35Street Park X X X X X
BobbyMcGarraughPark X X X X X X
Sather Park X X X X X X X
Sources: HBB, BERK, 2019
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 89
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
Chetzemoka Park
Essential features of Chetzemoka Park are retained in the Concept Plan including open lawns
offering passive enjoyment of views and space for cultural events, pathways to the water,
gardens,picnic facilities, play areas, dog park, restrooms, and parking. Recognizing the age and
condition of facilities and enhancement of site assets, improvements are proposed to stabilize
the shoreline, rebuild picnic and restroom structures, expand play offerings, add ADA access,
open views, and more. Major features of the concept include:
Shoreline: Increased vegetative buffer. Improve shoreline access (ADA).
Community Space: Explore future of existing Golden Age building including investment,
demolition, or other potential park use. Develop adjacent open plaza space. On thesouth,
formalize amphitheater space.
Play: Nature play area. Play trail and rain garden. Accessible play area.
Informal SpaceandPicnic Facilities: Open lawns. Picnic areas. Rehabilitated kitchen shelter.
Paths and Gardens: Improved ADA access throughout. Native forest and plantings.
Cascading showcase garden.
Access and Parking: Open Views at Entrances. Green infrastructure for Parking.
Restrooms: Rehabilitated restroom.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 90
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
Exhibit 63. Chetzemoka Park Concept
Source: HBB2019.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 91
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park
Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park is and will remain a park where residents and visitors can connect
with nature. Passive trails and viewingareas andpicnic facilities allow for public access and use
in focused areas. The park concept plan includes:
Entries: Improved entrances and sight lines into park.
1
Informal Space and Picnic: Open Lawns. Bathroom Converted into PicnicShelter.
Additional Picnic Shelter and equipment storage and irrigation access.
Trails and Views: ADA accessible Loop Trail With Interpretive Signs. Informal Trails.
Other: Improved Hydraulic Connection Between Ponds.
1
The adjacent park and ride now has ADA restrooms.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 92
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
Exhibit 64. Kah Tai LagoonPark Concept
Source: HBB2019.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 93
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
th
35Street Park
th
35 Street Park today has informal trails but is otherwise largely treed and in a natural state.
Theparkconcept plan retains the wooded character, wetlands, habitat, and naturaldrainage of
the site and adds a network of formal and informal trails including fitness and play stations. A
small focused area of play, picnic, and sports courts for multi-uses (e.g. tennis, pickleball,
basketball) is provided on the north, served by on-street parking.
Park concept features include:
Informal Spaces andLandscaping:Native forest retainparticularly specimen trees. Some
interspersed forest play areas. Mowable prairie.
Trails: ADA loop trail and informal trail connections. Connection to surrounding trails.
Play: Loop trail with play and fitness nodes. Forestplay area.
Sport Courts: Multi use sport courts.
Picnic and Seating: Picnic Shelter and Tables. Observation Seating. Benches.
Access and Parking: Improved Gateway Entrance retaining specimen trees. Parking along
the Street. ADA Parking.
Restroom: Restroom provided in the active recreation area.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 94
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
th
Exhibit 65. 35 Street Park Concept
Source: HBB2019.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 95
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
Bobby McGarraugh Park
Bobby McGarraugh Parkis a neighborhood park with traditional swings and a playground. The
park concept plan enhances its central use as an active play space adding a wider variety of
play, adventure, and fitness features and increasing picnic facilities.
Play and Fitness: Inclusive play area, splash pad, adventure play trail, hillside slide, rock
climbing wall, and fitness area.
Informal Space and Picnic: Open lawn, ADApicnic shelters, and tables.
Trails and Fitness: Adventure Play Trail.
Access and Parking: Improved entrance with signs. Improved access for pedestrians and
bicyclists.
Landscaping: Nativeforestimprovements avoid erosion.
Restroom: Moved and improved restroom.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 96
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
Exhibit 66. BobbyMcGarraugh Park Concept
Source: HBB2019.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 97
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
Sather Park
Sather Park consists of two parts an eastern passive manicured open lawn area with a hedge
and a western wooded area with trails. The park concept retains the passive, wooded character
of theSather Park Forest on the west, while making selected enhancements of its entrance, and
habitat and forest ecology. Existing trails would be retained and a ADA loop trail added. An
outdoor classroom and nature play area would also be added.
Sather Park East would have a focus on family activities. A loop path, picnic area, and play area
are envisioned to be added. It would retain a buffer but with native species and ornamental
plantings. An open lawn allows for informal uses.
West
Open and improved entrance
Improve habitat & forest ecology
ADA Loop Trail and connection to informal trails
Nature play nodes
Forest gathering space
Wayfinding elements
East
Open and improved entrance
Native buffer
Loop Path
Ornamental Plantings
Picnic Areas
Play Area
Open Lawn
Wayfinding elements
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 98
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
Exhibit67.SatherParkConcept
Source: HBB2019.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 99
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
Hancock Street Park
Formatted: Body Text, Space Before:13.55 pt
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 100
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
SPECIAL USE FACILITIES
MountainView Pool
Port Townsend has successfully operated Mountain View Pool since 1995, increasing its use and
serving residents of all ages as indicated in Exhibit 35. The pool was designed and constructed
in 1963 for use by middle school students and now provides for swimming lessons, swimming
practices, aquatic classes, and drop-in use. Its size and shape is not designed for competitive
use. While a maintenance bond has been implemented to make necessary repairs to allow pool
use to continue, the pool is beyond its useful life and capital improvements are needed.
Community engagement results in Chapter 4 Community Profile & Engagement and Appendix B
illustrated support for investing in the pool as an important form of indoor recreation:
Most Vision survey respondents agreedstrongly or very strongly that Port Townsend
should:
Make capital investments (e.g. larger multilane lap pool; water slides and play
area; tot pool; sauna and hot tub) to improve Mountain View Pool and make it more
attractive for public use
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 101
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
Explore options to partner with other public agencies and/or private businesses to make
the needed capital investments and operate the pool
Among a range of possible investments, an aquatic center received the second highest
number of responses and the highest dollar share among Vision survey respondents
Community Health surveys indicated accessto indoor recreation was important for year
round fitness
The City is currently engaged in a multi-agency discussion about the development of a new, full-
service YMCA that would include an updated and more modern aquatic center to replace
Mountain View Pool. Proposed funding mechanisms for the project include a Metropolitan Park
District. Given this process has been underway for a number of years, this PROS Plan was not
purposed with exploring the viability of the proposed YMCA but, rather, to focus more
regarding funding options, partnerships, facilities, and recreation programming could be made
moreholistically. Additional public involvement and elected official discussions about Mountain
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 102
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
View Pool and future investments in city parks and recreation are forthcoming and should be
informed in part by this PROS Plan.
Port Townsend Golf CoursePark
The City currently manages the golf coursepark by contracting operations to a private business.
In advance of this contract expiring on December 31, 20203, the City hired NGF Groundswell
Arcjitectur to conduct a robust community process to assist City Council to decide the future of
the Golf Park. Consulting (a subsidiary of the National Golf Foundation) to perform an analysis
on the physical condition of the course and its assets and the nature of its business operations.
The study, a Business Analysis of the Port Townsend Golf Club, was completed in 2019 and
showed that the course would need investment in improvements and
for its continuance asa golf course into the future. Similar to the situation with
Mountain View Pool and the YMCA proposal, this PROS Plan was not purposed with
determining the future of the golf coursepark but,
rather, providing information about the other parks and recreation assets and operations
so that decisions could be made that are more fully informed. The City Council decided to sign an opertating
lease with the Friends of the Port Townsend Golf Park to operate the 9-hole course but also to expand use of the
58.9 acres.
PROS Plan community engagement results showed limited use of the Port Townsend Golf
Course and interest in golf in general, similar to declining national trends. Most Vision survey
respondents do not have an opinion on theoperation, investmentor use of the golf course. For
those who do have an opinion, most do not want to make capital investments, set a cost
recovery policy, or explore partnership options. For those with an opinion, most do not want
the City to stop operating the golf course, but others are supportive of exploring alternative
options.
Whilethe future and alternative uses of the golf course were not directly sought, ideas and
thoughts were nonetheless shared during the Vision and System Plan outreach events;
comments included:
Continuing to operate the golf course for golf
Allowing multiple recreation uses on the property (e.g. frisbee golf, foot golf) or other active
sports uses that could be accomplished while still having golf on certain days
Repurposing to more active sports and managing as a complex with Mountain View,
th
especially if active sports are not feasible on other properties like 35
Converting it to a nature park
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 103
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
Surplusingfor nonpark uses
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 104
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 105
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
The City will be considering whether to renewthe golf course leasein 2020. As part of that
decision, the City may consider whether it should make additional investments in the golf
course or identify alternative uses.
TRAILS
Through the Healthy Community Design Initiative, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention identified the ways in which park and especially trail access could impact overall
health in youth and adults alike. Trails, as they suggest, should be within walking distance of
homes with safe access and connections points to enter the system. Trails should also support a
thorough non-motorized system of sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike paths accessible to the
areas people live, work, and play. A trail network serves as a linear park system linking parks,
civic spaces, neighborhoods, and ultimately communities together. Trails should be designed
and maintained in a way that protects the resource, provides a degree of universal access and
ambulation aids like walkers or canes, or wheelchair navigability where feasible and safe.
Hierarchy
Trails aredesigned and maintained based on therole they serve in the overall connected
systemandthe usage they receive. Port Non-Motorized Transportation Plan (1998,
2011, 2014) addresses pedestrian and bicycle facilities. For the purposes of this PROS Plan, a
focus is on off-roadway elements given the Parks Recreation and Community Services
role in maintaining the network of all unpaved trails. The Non-Motorized
Transportation Plan identifies the following facility types:
Major Streets withBicycle and Pedestrian Facilities:Arterial and collector streets are main
thoroughfares that will ultimately include pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
Neighborhood Connectors: Neighborhoodconnectors are intendedto provide routes across
town to the identified destinations and links between and within neighborhoods.
Neighborhood connectors may be sidewalks or pathways adjacent to streets or pathways
on alignments separate from streets, within unopened street rights-of-way. Pathways will
generally be shared facilities serving walkers and bicyclists.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 106
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
Shortcuts: Shortcuts are typically one-block pathways on unopened rights-of-way that
connect between streets. They are often unimproved, but areenvisioned to be signed and
cleared.
Multi-Use Trail: The multi-use trail is a wide, arterial trail generally separated from city
streets. Its purpose is to provide non-motorists the greatest variety of experience and the
least amount of conflict with motorized traffic. It is routed, wherever possible, through
parks and potential open spaces, adjacent to drainage corridors, and along existing trails
and unopened street rights-of-way. It is located adjacent to streets in as few places as
possible, and only where it is necessary to provide continuity. The multi-use loop is routed
on slopes with moderate grades to accommodate a wide range of users. It will serve all user
groups and will accommodate bicyclists, pedestrians, and in some cases equestrians.
Walkway System
TheNon-Motorized Transportation Plan proposes a WalkwaySystem with the following key
elements:
A Multi-Use Trail, a unifying loop thatcircumnavigates the city,
A PortageTrail between Port Townsend Bay and the Strait ofJuan de Fuca connecting the
County and Larry Scott Memorial Park with the Park-and-Ride, shopping areas, the Boat
Haven, the golf coursepark, schools, Chinese Gardens and Fort Worden State Park
The Waterwalk, a coordinated set of connected pathways, sidewalks, passageways between
buildings and shoreline access points along Port Urban Waterfront
Primary and secondary Neighborhood Connectors which function as major and minor
collectors for pedestrians
Off-street pathway system providing: more direct connections, greater separation from
traffic, and a more pleasant walking experience
Sidewalksand Pedestrian Pathways on Local Streets
Short-cuts, such as formalizing existing short cuts and paths suchas through block
connections
Theconcept of a loop trailis highly supported in the Community Engagement results. The
Non-Motorized Transportation Plan conceptually identifies an interconnected and
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 107
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
pattern with Larry Scott Trail on the south,and connecting trails looping to the east, north, and
west. See Exhibit 68.
Exhibit 68. Port Townsend Loop Trail
Source: Port Townsend 1998, updated through 2014.
Some priority projects have been identified in the current Non-Motorized Transportation Plan
within the overall plan conceptual framework. These include:
Multi-use Trail from Fort Worden to the southwest to Discovery Road
Trail fromW Street(Fort Worden) south and west along Cherry Street and from W Street
south and east along Jackson Street
Trail east-west alongLawrence Street on the eastside of town and a trail east-west along
Hastings Avenue on the west
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 108
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
Trails along Discovery Road
Non-motorized facilities, including trail and apassage under Sims Way
SomeoftheseconnectionswereidentifiedinthepublicinputforthePROSPlanUpdate. Exhibit
43.
Minimum Standards/Allowable Uses
Trail Classifications
The current Non-motorized Transportation Plan identifies multi-use trails with pedestriansand
bikes, neighborhood connectors on local streets with sidewalks or on trails in unopened rights
of way, major streets with bike lanes and sidewalks, and short cuts. Standard details are shown
in Exhibit 69and Exhibit 70.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 109
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
Exhibit 69. Standard Detail Multi Use Trail
Source: City of Port Townsend, 1998
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 110
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
Exhibit 70. Standard Detail Neighborhood Connector and Undeveloped Shortcut
Source: City of Port Townsend, 1998
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 111
CH. 6 | PARK & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
PROGRAMS
Goal 4, in 0 Goals & Policies provides guiding principles for Port program areas of
focusand evaluation. Key concepts include:
Provide comprehensive, enriching,and affordable programs
Consider community needs, interests, and trends
Serve as many persons as possible
Accommodate a citizenry diverse in age, interests, incomelevels, and abilities
Gap areas where theCity could provideservices or partner with other entities include:
Publicly provided childcare, daycare, or afterschool programs
Senior-specific or focused programming
Cultural or educational classes or courses
Environmental/wilderness programming or other non-sporting outdoor activities
Whether the City continues to focus on aquatic programs or whether it broadens its offerings to
fill gaps, ensuring programs fit the community over time is important.
Through program evaluation, the City can determine which programs to add, increase, or
reduce. See Exhibit 71. The City can regularly review community needs, its best role, available
resources or partners, and develop programs.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 112
CH.6|PARK&RECREATIONSYSTEMPLAN
Exhibit71.RecreationProgramCycle
ReviewComunity
Need,Guiding
Principlesincluding
BestRole,Partners,
andResources
IntroductionStage
Revenueslow
Evaluateand
Costshigh
AdaptivelyManage
Participationincreasing
Program
DeclineStageTake-OffStage
RevenuedropsRevenueIncreases
Nearingmaximum
Lowparticipation
participantcapacity
Costandrevenuenotin
balance
SaturationStageMaturityStage
EffortstoextendRevenueincreases
programslowly
RevenueslevelanddropMaximumcapacity
reachedbutbeginningto
Nonewparticipants
drop
Sources:(Landes,2008);BERK,2019
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN|VISION,PARKS113
VISION,PARKS
CHAPTER 7
FundingandFacilitiesPlan
ThisChapterprovidesanevaluationofcurrentandpotentialfundingoptionsforoperationsand
capital revenue and a capital facilities plan.
OPERATIONSANDCAPITALFUNDING
ThisPROSPlanincludesafinancialsituationassessmentthat:
availableresources;and
potentialnewpolicies,toaddressanyanticipatedfuturefundinggaps.
HistoricandProjectedOperations andCapitalRevenue
As public goods, both City parks and City recreation services are largely supported by public
monies, similar to the vast majority of municipalities across Washington State. Specifically, the
City has primarily funded its parks and recreation services through the Community Services
Fund,whichincludesrevenuesfrompropertytaxes,salestaxes,utilitytaxes,andtransfersfrom
the General Fund.
TheCityalsogeneratesrevenuesdirectlyfromprovidingparksandrecreationservices,suchas
user and rental fees, which can directly offset a portion of parks and recreation expenditures.
The portion of parks and recreation expenditures that the City has been able to recover from
direct revenues has grown from around 17% in 2009 to 27% in 2019.
Nevertheless, going forward, parks and recreation cost recovery rates are projected to decline
as expenditures are expected to grow at a faster rate than direct revenues. As a result, the
shareofparksandrecreationdirectrevenueareexpectedtodecreasefrom27%in2019to20%
in 2036. The additional funding is expected to come from the Community Services Fund, which
111
CH.7|FUNDINGANDFACILITIESPLAN
isprojectedtoincreaseproportionallyasdirectrevenuesdeclinefrom73%in2019to80%in
2036. See Exhibit 72for actual and projected parks and recreation revenues broken down by
sourceandExhibit73foractualandprojectedparksandrecreationexpenditures comparedto
parks and recreation direct revenues.
Exhibit72.HistoricandProjectedParksandRecreationRevenues,2009to2036(Nominal$)
$2.0
ActualCityProjections
$1.5
$1.0
$0.5
$0.0
ParksM&ORevenuesPoolRevenuesPropertyTax
SalesTaxPublicUtilityTaxGeneralFundTransfers
Source:CityofPortTownsend,2019,BERK2019
Note:Property,sales,andpublicutilitytaxesalongwithgeneralfundtransferswereestimatedusinganallocationbasedon
total Community Services Fund revenues
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN|VISION,PARKS112
CH.7|FUNDINGANDFACILITIESPLAN
Exhibit73.HistoricandProjectedParksandRecreationCostRecovery,2009to2036(Nominal$)
$2.5
ActualCityProjections
$2.0
$1.5
$1.0
$0.5
$0.0
Parks&RecreationDirectRevenuesParks&RecreationExpenditures
Source:CityofPortTownsend,2019,BERK2019
Note:Revenuesandexpenditureshavebeenexpressedinnominaldollars(i.e.unadjustedforinflation)
As the Community Services Fund also funds other City services, demand for resources is
competitiveandmaybeconstrainedinthefuture.Tomitigatetheriskofconstrainedresources
on delivering parks and recreation services, the City should identify and pursue alternative
parks and recreation funding sources.
OperationsandCapitalRevenueFundingOptions
ThissectionlaysoutseveraloptionsfortheCitytoincreasefundingforparksandrecreation,
both with funding sources that are already beingused by the City, albeit for other purposes,
and with funding sources that could potentially be available to the City.
Alistoftheoptionsappearsbelow.Followingthat,evaluationcriteriaandamatrixprovidean
assessment of magnitude, feasibility, and flexibility.
CurrentAvailableOptions
TheCityofPortTownsendhasavarietyofoptionsalreadyavailableforincreasingitsparksand
recreation revenues. Some notable options include:
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN|VISION,PARKS113
CH. 7 | FUNDING AND FACILITIES PLAN
Real Estate Excise Tax. A real estate excise tax (REET) is levied on all real estate sales measured
by the full selling price, including the amount of any liens, mortgages, and other debts given to
secure the purchase. All cities may levy 0.25% of the full sale price of real estate (described as
"the first quarter percent of the real estate excise tax" or "REET 1"). Cities that are planning
under GrowthManagement Act (GMA) have the authority to levy a second quarter percent tax
(REET 2). Because this funding maybe used for different types of capital and is not restricted to
parks only, it is up to the discretion of each jurisdiction as to how they choose to spend these
funds. However, it is important to note that REET is restricted to capital uses and cannot be
used for operations.
Since REET is based on the total value of real estate transactions in a given year, the amount of
REET revenues a city or county receives can vary substantially from year to year based on the
normal fluctuations in the real estate market. During years when the real estate market is
active, revenues are higher, and during softer real estate markets, revenues are lower.
The City already collects REET 1 and REET 2 revenues, however, neither of these revenue
sources arecurrently used to fund parks and recreation capital projects. REET revenues in the
City are currently primarily allocated for debt service.
Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax. As of July 1, 2016, the State levies 49.4 cents per gallon on motor
vehicle fuel under RCW 82.36.025; a portion ofthe collected tax isdistributed to cities. In 2018,
Port Townsend received $207,986 of statewide MVFT revenues.
TheCity is required by RCW 47.30.050to spend a minimum of 0.42% of MVFT receiptson paths
and trails (unless that amount is $500 or less). In 2018, receipts were equal to a minimum of
$874 of MVFT funds spent on paths and trails.
Utility Business Tax. Any city may impose a business and occupation taxon the gross operating
revenues of public or private utilities providing services within city boundaries and/or upon the
and may be used for any lawful governmental purpose. The City uses utility business taxes to
fund parks and recreation operations through the Community Services Fund.
As of 2019, Port Townsend currently levies a rate of 22% on the water,stormwater, and
sewer utilities. Increasing the rate levied on these utilities would likely be politically difficult
given that the rates are already relatively high.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 114
CH. 7 | FUNDING AND FACILITIES PLAN
Accessing Property Tax Banked Capacity. With the annexation of the City into the Jefferson
Fire Protection District No. 1, the amount of property tax levied that currently pays for fire
services around $908,000 annually will remain as property tax capacity that can be used for
City Council passed Resolution 18-062 which limits its authority to levy this banked capacity
over a period of 5 years from 2019-2023. The City will not assess any of the banked capacity in
2020 and the City can restore banked capacity at a rate not to exceed 33% per each year
starting in 2021. Given $908,000 in banked capacity, this would allow an increasing maximum
levy amount as shown in Exhibit 74.
Specificto parks and recreation,the use ofthe banked capacity is restricted to capital needs for
parks and trails between 2021-2023 but will be unrestricted in use beginning in 2024.
Exhibit 74. Maximum Levy Amount,2021-2024 (Nominal $)
Year Maximum Levy Amount
2021 $299,640
2022 $599,280
2023 $908,000
2024 $908,000
Sources: City of Port Townsend, 2019; BERK, 2019.
Whilethese funds are available, the City has multiple competing needs that will also be eligible
for these monies.
Possible Future Options
TheCity could also pursue severalrevenues sourcesthat are not currently imposed or received.
Options for additional revenues include:
State and Federal Competitive Grants. State and federal grant programs can provide some
funding from outside the region. These programs are extremely competitive; however, any
grant fundingthat could be made available would significantly improve the funding feasibility of
the 2020 PROS Plan Update, since these funds would reduce the amount needed from local
public sources. Many of these grants often require matching funds and are restricted for
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 115
CH. 7 | FUNDING AND FACILITIES PLAN
acquisitionor capital development. However, the City has been successful at obtaining grantsin
the past and a variety of needs to align with funders.
Parks Impact Fees. The City of Port Townsend currently does not collect parks impact fees,
which are fees on development intended to support the infrastructure needs generated by that
growth. Rates would be determined through a rate study and consideration of system
improvements needed to support growth at desired levels of service.
Park impact fees can only be used for capital
service standards. Given the relatively small amount of growth anticipated in the City, the
expected revenuesare less than $100,000 annually assuming similar existing rates in Sequim,
Gig Harbor, and Poulsbo. Additionally, impact fees require City Council action and can face
resistance from the development community.
Metropolitan Parks District. One of three types of parks/recreation districts in Washington,
Metropolitan Parks Districts (MPD) are authorized by Chapter 35.61 RCW and are quasi-
management, control, improvement, maintenance, and acquisition of parks, pathways,
specific public parks and/or recreational facilities.
An MPD can include other jurisdictions through interlocal agreements and only portions of the
establishing entity or included jurisdictions. An MPD can be initiated through resolution or
initiative. As an independent taxing district, MPDs havetwo regular property taxlevies available
1) $0.50 per $1,000 assessed value and 2) $0.25 per $1,000 assessed value. These are
considered as a single levy, up to $0.75, for the purposes of the 1% annual levy limit. An
important note is that MPDs are junior taxing districts, meaning that if localities approach the
local district taxing limit of $5.90per $1,000 of assessed value, the MPD will be lower on the list
of collections and could receive less or even no funding.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 116
CH.7|FUNDINGANDFACILITIESPLAN
TheCityhasjointlyconsideredanMPD
WilliamShoreMemorialPool
with Jefferson County in the past.
ParkDistrict
Resulting from the work of the
Createdin2009,theWilliamShoreMemorialPoolPark
Exploratory Regional Parks and
District was formed to operate the William Shore
Recreation Committee in 2011, the
Memorial Pool located in Port Angeles. William Shore
Pool is one of two public pools in Clallam County and
Metropolitan Park District Steering
serves an important role in the community by offering
Committee worked in 2013 to evaluate
aquatic recreation opportunities.
the feasibility of forming an MPD
TheboundariescorrespondtothePortAngeles
includingtheCityandeasternportionof
School District, which includes the entirety of Port
JeffersonCounty.TheCityandJefferson
Angeles and part of Clallam County.
County passed resolutions in 2013 to
In2018,WilliamShoreraisedapproximately$750,000in
property taxes, $450,000 in fees, and an additional
$150,000inmiscellaneousrevenues.Itclosedinearly
recommendationthatanMPDwasnot
2019 for a $15 million renovation.
feasible.
William Shore is one of four of metropolitan parks
TheYMCAofJeffersonCountybranchhas
districtscreatedtooperatepools(theothersareDes
been exploring the option of a purpose-
Moines, Tukwila, and White Salmon).
specific limited MPD to construct and
operate a replacement facility to
SiViewParkDistrict
Mountain View Pool. Examples of
Originally formed in 2003 to save the Si View
purpose-specific and general MPDs are
Community Center and Pool from closure, Si View
included in the two inserts.
MetroParksisarobustparksdistrictofferinganarrayof
services to its 24,000 residents. While it began with a
Given the 2018 assessed values, a City-
narrow focus, the district was formed as a general
only MPD could have raised a maximum
operating MPD.
of $1.1 million and a combined City and
The district includes the City of North Bend and
EasternJeffersonCountyMPDcouldhave
unincorporatedKingCounty.In2018,theresidentsofSi
raised a maximum of $3.5 million. Note
View approved almost $15 million in bonds for
improvements and new parks.
that these values are approximate and
meant for illustration of magnitude only;
Si View booked approximately $2,150,000 in property
taxes, $1,600,000 in fees, and an additional $700,000 in
there are two existing parks and
miscellaneousrevenues.Itrecentlycompletedeffortsto
recreation districts within the Eastern
explore a new pool facility.
JeffersonCountyarea.Theassessedvalue
for these existing districts were removed
fromtheoverallEastJeffersonCountyareaapproximatelyweightedbypopulationdistribution.
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN|VISION,PARKS117
CH. 7 | FUNDING AND FACILITIES PLAN
Property Tax Levy Lid Lift. A property tax levy lid lift occurs when a taxing jurisdiction with a tax
rate less than its statutory maximum rate asks voters to increase the property tax rate to an
amount equal to or less than the statutory maximum rate, effectively lifting the lid on the levy
rate. The taxing jurisdiction then collects more revenues because of the higher levy rate. These
revenues can be unrestricted or restricted depending on the stated purpose in authorizing the
ballot measure. The City could increase property taxes in the City to fund parks and recreation
services or capital projects through a voted levy lid lift.
Dedicated Parks Property Tax Levy Lid Lift. While the City does not currently have any banked
property tax capacity, the City could fund parks and recreation capital projects through a voted
parks levy lid lift. However, the City does have an unusual situational banked capacity resulting
from annexation of fire services, described beginning on page 115.
Financing Options
The City manages long-term debt in a way that utilizes its credit to optimize City services while
balancing overall debt levels and annual debt service obligations. Long-term debt may be used
for capital acquisitions and construction but may not be used to fund operating expenses, and it
should be structured in a way that debt payments do not exceed the expected useful life of the
financed project.
The City can levy additional debt through two main financing tools:
Limited Tax General Obligation (LTGO) Bonds. Councilmanic bonds that must be repaid from
existing resources, as there is no dedicated source of new revenue for debt service. These
bonds can be issued by the City Council without going out to residents for a public vote. Cities
are limited to an indebtedness amount of 1.5% of assessed value for LTGO bonds.
Unlimited Tax GeneralObligation (UTGO) Bonds. Voted bonds that must be approved by a
issue is usually reserved for municipal improvements that are of general benefit to the public,
such as arterial streets, bridges, lighting, municipal buildings, firefighting equipment, and parks.
There is no specific indebtedness amount limit for UTGO Bonds, however, the total amount of
LTGO and UTGO indebtedness may not exceed 2.5% of assessed value.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 118
CH.7|FUNDINGANDFACILITIESPLAN
ParksandOpenSpaceGeneralObligationBonds. Inadditiontothedebtoutlinedabove,
cities may also issue debt, with voter approval, for up to 2.5% of assessed value for
acquiring or developing open space, park facilities, and capital facilities associated with
economic development.
Evaluation
Eachofthefundingorfinancingsourcesisscreenedaccordingtothesecriteria:
Magnitude.Estimatestheorderofmagnitudeoftheseoptions.
Feasibility.Estimateshowrealisticeachoptionistobeusedforparksandrecreation
revenues.
Flexibility.Estimatestheextenttowhicheachoptionisrestrictedforcertainpurposes,or
vice versa.
SeeExhibit75forafundingandfinancingoptionevaluation summary.
Exhibit75.FundingandFinancingOptionsEvaluation
FundingSourceMagnitudeFeasibilityFlexibilityNotes
CurrentAvailableOptions
capital only;
currently
RealEstateExciseTax$100,000s
earmarkedfor
debtpayment
paths and trails;
currentlyusedfor
MotorVehicleFuelTax$1,000s
transportation
projects
politically
UtilityTaxes$100,000s
unfeasible
capital only
PropertyTaxfromFireDistrict
(2012-2023;then
$100,000s
Annexation
unrestricted)
PossibleFutureOptions
often require
Grants$100,000s
matchingfunds
capital only;
ParksImpactFees$10,000s Councilaction
required
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN|VISION,PARKS119
CH.7|FUNDINGANDFACILITIESPLAN
FundingSourceMagnitudeFeasibilityFlexibilityNotes
MetropolitanParksDistrict*$1,000,000s voterequired
ParksLevy$1,000,000s voterequired
FinancingOptions
voterequired;
ParksandOpenSpaceGODebt
$1,000,000s
capital only
Notes:*AnMPDcouldbeformedformultiplepurposes(constructionandoperatea pool;generalparks functions)andwithin
either the City or a combination of City and County. Financing options do not represent new revenue but are
mechanisms to move money through time.
Sources:BERK,2019.
Most large funding sources require voter action. All funding opportunities involve tradeoffs
between priorities (for example, transportation versus parks), political will (voter and/or
Council action), and changes in flexibility as implementation of most funding mechanisms
involve a reduction in funding capacity. Funding sources should also be considered based on
equity. Property taxesand salestaxes are regressive, takinga larger percentageof income from
low-incomeearnersthanfromhigh-incomeearners,butWashingtongovernmentsrelyonthem
to fund basic services and capital investments.
Grants and repurposing property tax from the fire district annexation represent the two most
likely funding increases for parks and recreation purposes. Either option has the possibility of
significantly increasing the revenues available for parks and recreation (10% or more of parks
and recreation expenditures), are existing revenue streams that could be increased, and offer
someflexibilityinspending.Both optionshavecompetitiveprocesses;Citycapitalprioritieswill
be competing for the first three years of repurposed property tax and grant-making
organizations generally solicit requests to consider multiple possible projects to be funded.
CooperativeOpportunities
Because open spaces, trails and parks that are situated in natural low areas and shallow
depressions may also temporarily store stormwaters, there are opportunities to incorporate
park development into stormwater management facilities. Where feasible, parks should be
incorporatedintothedesignofregionalstormwaterfacilitiestherebyincreasingthecommunity
benefit from scarce public funds.
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020PROSPLAN|VISION,PARKS120
CH. 7 | FUNDING AND FACILITIES PLAN
Programs and Cost Recovery
As the City considers additional programming and changes to maintenance and operations, a
key aspect is expected impact on finances. As discussed in the Demand & Need section, the City
has opportunities to expand programming. Expansion of programming is a chance for the City
to revisit cost recovery goals.
In general, a leading practice considers the level of public or individual benefit for cost recovery
goals. The more that the benefit is individual, the higher the cost recovery goal should be.
Taking two examples, at one end are provision of public goods like large open spaces that can
be used by many people at once without detracting from others use (non-rivalrous goods), and
thus are not candidates for cost recovery. At the other end of the benefit spectrum, individual
swimming lessons are for a single person at a time. These resources are limited (one slot for
each person), require scheduling and registration, and have concentrated benefits. Parks and
recreation provide services across the range of possibilities, which creates opportunities to
tailor cost recovery goals.
The level of benefit approach is attractive because it easily accommodates customization of
fees for equity purposes. Programming with high individual benefit tends to be programs that
require registration, allowing for conversation about needs. For example, low- or fixed-income
individuals can have fees adjusted to match ability to pay, and these programs can be tied to
other income-dependent programming to reduce the burden on individuals to prove their
ability to pay.
CAPITAL FACILITY PLAN
The 2014 PROS Plan identified 17 capital projects for the period 2013 to 2020+.Projects
completed during that period included:
Bishop Play Park: Develop Parkside Drive (Bishop) Park Property
Mountain View Dog Park: Develop a dedicatedsufficient sized dogpark on current City
property or new purchase
The PROS Plan called for renovations to the Mountain View Pool with a potential timeframe of
2015-2018. Pool renovations did not specifically occur. General Mountain View Commons
improvements with someminor improvements for ADA access to the pool did occur as noted in
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 121
CH. 7 | FUNDING AND FACILITIES PLAN
Mountain View Commons Improvements 2015-2018: The City completed energyefficiency
and emergency repairs, improved ADA access in the pool and gym, addressed fire and
safety systems, and others.
Bishop Play Park and Mountain View Dog Park were funded with private and volunteer
resourcesandCityresources.MountainViewcampusimprovementswerefundedwitha$3.6
million voter-approved Bond and Community Development Block Grant Funds.
TheCity of Port Townsend has notincluded a parks capital improvement program in its 2019
budget due to competing priorities and lack of resources.
As described in Level of Service evaluations, based on past investment carried forward, the
annual average investment in facilities and land would equal about $625,000 to 1,150,000 per
year. This is in the range of investments by agencies with similar assets or population densities
($280,000 to $1.1 million per year with a median investment per year by agencies of all sizes at
just over $800,000 per year).
Given scarce resources and a need to secure enhanced funding, projects are prioritized based
on their ability to advance the following objectives identified as target levels of service in
Chapter 5 Demand & Need:
Maintenance Objective
Investment per Capita Objective
Equitable Access and Distribution Objective
Projected funding assumes sources with moderate to high magnitude, moderate to high
feasibility, and moderate to high flexibility identified on Exhibit75 above. These include capital
funds potentially available over the short term due to annexation to the fire district, general
fund, grants, and either impact or SEPA mitigation fees. Longer-term capital sources include a
potential MPD or parks levy. Should the City not pursue additional funding sources the capital
facility plan would require update.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 122
CH. 7 | FUNDING AND FACILITIES PLAN
Thetable below identifies projects with a maintenance objective,basedon unmetand deferred
needs in 2019 budget, the 2019 NGF Consulting Golf CoursePark Study, and
Departmental input.
Exhibit 76. Maintenance Objective: Deferred Maintenance and Capital Replacement
Project Description Cost 2020-23 2024-2026 Funding Sources
Number
Pope Marine Park Plaza - Add FD Annexation, General
1. $6,000 X
electricity pedestals for special Fund
events
2. Mountain View Pool Building: $10,000 X FD Annexation, General
Foyer Heater Replacement Fund
3. Improvementsto Dog Park at Mtn $20,000 X Private, Volunteer, FD
View Annexation, General
Fund
4. Kubota Utility Vehicle $10,000 X FD Annexation, General
Fund
5. Dump Truck $65,000 X FD Annexation, General
Fund
6. Replace Skateboard Park Fence $25,000 X FD Annexation, General
Fund
Golf CourseParkRepair and TBD: Cost Recovery,
7. $1,229,000 X
Replacement Private, Grants, MPD,
Levy
8. Mountain View Pool: Lifecycle TBD See also Aquatic Center
Analysis and Associated Repairs(#18)
Total $1,365,000 $71,000 $1,294,000
Source: Port Townsend 2019 Budget;BERK 2019.
Projects that provide capacity at existing parks, allowing more persons to enjoy Port Townsend
Parks, are listed in Exhibit 76. The 6-year plan would implement improvements at Kah Tai
Lagoon to increase passive recreation opportunities, improve existing facilities, and conduct
habitat restoration. Improvements would also be made to picnic shelters, restrooms, and
repairs to slope erosion at Chetzemoka Park. Longer-term improvements across the system
would be to improve parks consistent with concept plans or minimum classification standards.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 123
CH. 7 | FUNDING AND FACILITIES PLAN
Exhibit 77. Investment per Capita Objective: NewInvestments at Existing Parks
Project # Description Cost 2020-23 2024-20262027+ Funding Sources
9. Mountain View Pool: $6,000 X Private, FD
4 Drinking Fountains Annexation, General
with Bottle Filler Fund, Grants
10.Mountain View Pool: $43,000 X Private, FD
Inflatable Playground, Annexation, General
Slide, Climbing Wall Fund, Grants
11.Chetzemoka Concept $10,652,800 X X Private, Grants,
Plan Implementation Impact/Mitigation
Fees, MPD, Levy
12.Kah Tai Lagoon $4,083,500 X X X Private, Grants,
Concept Plan Impact/Mitigation
Implementation Fees, MPD, Levy
13.Bobby McGarraugh $5,127,000 X Private, Grants,
Concept Plan Impact/Mitigation
Implementation Fees, MPD, Levy
14.Sather Park Concept $2,524,942 X Private, Grants,
Plan Implementation Impact/Mitigation
Fees, MPD, Levy
15.Neighborhood Parks $2,500,000 X Private, Grants,
Minimum Standards Impact/Mitigation
Progress Fees, MPD, Levy
16.Downtown Park $1,500,000 X Private, Grants,
Minimum Standards Impact/Mitigation
Progress Fees, MPD, Levy
17.Special Use Park $2,500,000 X Private, Grants,
Minimum Standards Impact/Mitigation
Progress Fees, MPD, Levy
18.Aquatic Center: TBD X Private, Grants,
Replacement/ Impact/Mitigation
Expansion Fees, MPD, Levy
Total $28,937,242 $1,069,875 $2,618,795$25,248,572
Source: Port Townsend 2019 Budget; HBB 2019; BERK 2019.
To address equitable access and distribution objectives,a series of capital improvements would
address acquisition or partnerships to fill gaps in the parks and trail system. In the immediate 6-
year period, the investments would be to fill in missing trail links to improve access to existing
th
parks and to more fully implement minimum improvements for 35 Street Park serving the
western portion of the city where gaps are identified. Post 2027 additional park acquisitionsare
noted for central and southwest city limits to fill other gaps.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 124
CH. 7 | FUNDING AND FACILITIES PLAN
Exhibit 78. Equitable Access andDistribution Objective: Fill Gaps in Parks and Trails Network
Project # Description Cost 2020-23 2024-2026 2027+ FundingSources
35th Street Park Concept Private, Grants,
19.$3,608,450 X X X
Plan Implementation Impact/Mitigation
Fees, MPD, Levy
20.Park Acquisitions or $2,000,000 X Private, Grants,
Partnershipsand Impact/Mitigation
Development: Central and Fees, MPD, Levy
Southwest
21.Missing Links: Trails, 2 miles $600,000 X X Public Works Capital
Funds Coordination,
Grants, Impact/
Mitigation Fees,
MPD, Levy
Public Works Capital
22.Loop Trail Connections $1,750,000 X
Funds Coordination,
Grants, Impact/
Mitigation Fees,
MPD, Levy
$7,958,450$600,000 $902,113 $6,456,338
Source: Port Townsend 2019 Budget; HBB 2019; BERK 2019.
Excluding an aquatic center, which is under discussion regionally by the City, County, and
YMCA, the total capital program is approximately $38.2 million. The 6-year investment is
approximately $6.6 million.
Exhibit 79. Summary Capital Facility Plan Expenditure Type and Schedule
2020-23 2024-2026 2020-2026 6-Year Post 2027+ Total
Annual
Investment
1. Maintenance $71,000 $1,294,000 $1,365,000$227,500 $0 $1,365,000
2. Invest inExisting $1,069,875 $2,618,795 $3,688,670$614,778 $25,248,572 $28,937,242
Parks
3. Equitable Access
$600,000 $902,113 $1,502,113$250,352 $6,456,338 $7,958,450
and Distribution
Total $1,740,875 $5,165,070 $6,555,783$1,092,630 $31,704,910 $38,260,692
Source: Port Townsend 2019 Budget; HBB 2019; BERK 2019.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 125
CH. 7 | FUNDING AND FACILITIES PLAN
On an annualized basis, if the City invests in only maintenance and existing parks in the 2020-
2026 period, the annual investmentwill equal about $842,278 per year. SeeExhibit 80. This is
similar to the investment per capita range identified in the Level of Service analysis in Chapter
5. If the City invests in equitable access and distribution as well as maintenance and existing
parks over the next six years the annual investment will equal about $1,092,630 per year, atthe
upper end of peer communities. This would be feasible if additional funding sources are
identified.
Exhibit 80. Capital Budgetand Target Level of Service Per Capita Investment
6-year 6-Year Discussion
Annualized
Port Townsend Target LOS - Per Capita
$5,058,900 $843,150 See TargetLOS, page 71
Investment
Priority Focus 6-Year with Feasible
Funds
Maintenance and Existing Parks $5,053,670 $842,278 Seek feasible funds, e.g. Grants, FD
Annexation, Private, Other
Add as Funds Allow
Equitable Access and Distribution $1,502,113 $250,352 Where funding is more successful (e.g.
Grants), or if additional funds become
available, e.g. MPD, Levy, Other
Source: BERK 2019.
Theoverall capital budget at $38.2 million is greater than investment per capita enjoyed today.
It serves as a 40-year level of investment if population grows at a rate assumed in the
Comprehensive Plan. However, the more complete capital facilities list can be a source of
proposals for grant or partnership opportunities, and the list can serve as a guide to capital
proposals for future Comprehensive Plan Updates and PROS Plan Updates.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 126
VISION,PARKS
CHAPTER 8
ImplementationStrategies
ThischapteridentifiesactionstheCitycantaketooptimallyimplementthegoals,objectives,
and projects of this plan. It also identifies topics meant for further exploration.
MONITORING
TheCityintendstotrackitsperformanceperiodicallytodetermineprogresson implementation
of this plan. Monitoring is recommended in association with updates to the City budget and
capital improvement program. Performance measurement is a useful strategy in requesting
additional funding and resources.
Exhibit81.PotentialMonitoringMeasuresandTargets
PriorityPerformanceMeasure
EquitableAccessandDistribution Parksandrecreationfacilitieswithina10-minutewalktoreachover90%of
Port
Parklandwithina10-minutewalkincreasesitsconsistencywithminimum
standards for the park classification.
Reducedparkgapsincentraland westerncitylimitsby2036.
Improvedaccesstoneighborhoodswithhigherconcentrationsoffamilies
with children or seniors living alone.
Phaseimprovedaccessbyfillinginmissinglinksintrails.
Thevalueoftheparksandrecreationsystemismaintainedasthecommunity
Function-Investment
grows.
Maintainanannualcapitalfacilityinvestmentrangeof$300,000to
$1,100,000peryear,dependingonavailablefundingsources.
Function-Maintenance Ensurethatmaintenanceresourceskeepupwithincreaseddemand.
Maintenanceinvestmentpercapitaisappliedtoincreasedpopulationgrowth
(approximately $120 in 2019 dollars).
Maintenancecostsperacreareconsideredasdevelopedparksare added.
Source:BERK,2019.
127
CH. 8 | IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES
PHASING
Given local conditions of each park site and trail route, Port Townsend may phase
improvements and consider alternative facility types and cross sections. At the master plan or
project design level, each project will be reassessed to determine the appropriateness of the
suggested improvements based on physical characteristics of the property and public
engagement associated with master plan development. It may be necessary to implement a
different design solution or combination of design solutions than are shown in this plan. In
addition, there may be development of other capital projects or changesin funding strategies
that dictate a different approach.
PARTNERSHIP & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
ThePROS plan has been developed with information from Jefferson County, State Parks, YMCA,
and other stakeholders in mind. Stakeholders can advance implementation of this system
through joint design, funding, and coordination, and the City intends to continue to build
relationships with these and other partners to implement the plan.
Port Townsend also partners with community groups, non-profit, and government agencies to
support stewardship and public access. Port Townsend intends to monitor contributions from
its partners to ensure that investments and resources align with expected outcomes and
benefits, advancing the goals, needs, policies, and recommendations of the PROS Plan.
VOLUNTEERISM
Volunteer programs are common to parks and recreation programs. Such programs can
enhance and beautify park properties and allow agencies to offer programs and events that
would not otherwise be available or be more costly.
Port Townsend has had a long history of park and trail volunteerism. Examples of volunteers
contributing to park and trail development include the building of 31 miles of trails and a dog
park. Volunteers supporting maintenance include those participatingin the A Park
program in place since 2001.
Port current park and trail volunteer program consists of:
Adopt-A-Park
Trail parties
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 128
CH. 8 | IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES
Garden care
Volunteer programs require administration and training, background checks, and oversight, and
agencies often have volunteer coordinators to fill this role. In 2019, Port Townsend filled a
position addressing an events / facility / volunteer coordinator. This will allow the City to create
a more robust volunteer program addressing a range of park system aspects.
DONATIONS/FUND RAISING
TheCity of Port Townsend's Park Memorial and Donation program allows community members
the opportunity to remember or honor a loved one, celebrate an event or provide a legacy for
the future through a donation to the City's park system. These donations may include, but are
not limited to, park benches, bicycle racks, picnic tables, drinking fountains, flags, and other
types of park or trails accessories and (in certain limited circumstances) public art and
monuments. This policy does not apply to buildings or land.
Many park and recreation agencies across the country benefit from private donations that pay
for purchase and construction of new facilities or program costs such as scholarships for camps
or other recreation programs. The mechanism for donations is frequently through a non-profit
foundation or conservatory organization. The City could develop criteria for determining which
projects and programs to fund, based on public goals.
Fund-raising often occurs with foundations but more recently newer forms of fundraising
include crowd-sourcing. Crowd-sourcing uses donor sites where stakeholders can pledge
donations online to a specific project and will only be charged in the event that the funding
target isreached and the projectmoves forward. The City could determine its policies around
whether it would:
Champion projects on existingplatforms
Runits own campaigns or establishits own platform
Facilitate a citizen-led and financed project without being directly responsible for a project
A near-term example of grass-roots fundraising effort relates to the Mountain View Dog Park.
The Cityhas an active dog park/ dog owner community anticipating holding future fundraisers
related to the dog park specifically.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 129
CH.8|IMPLEMENTATIONSTRATEGIES
ASSETMANAGEMENT
Theparksystemmustbemaintainedon aregularandongoingbasis forthepublictobenefit
from it and to ensure facilities achieve their longest lifespan. Additionally, assets must be
tracked, scheduled, and funded for repair and replacement.
RoutineMaintenance
Maintenance crews provide a wide range of services to ensure parks are clean, safe, and
functional. Routine maintenance includes duties, such as garbage pick-up, lawn and landscape
care, set up for events, cleaning and general maintenance of play areas, beaches, waterfronts,
trails, pathways, parking lots, pool, dog parks, and skate park. Maintenance staff also support
special events and volunteer projects. Public input at the Vision Survey showed the public
foundtheoverallqualityandmaintenanceoftheparkstobegoodorverygood. SeeExhibit82.
Exhibit82.MaintenanceAppreciationVisionSurvey
HowwouldyouratetheoverallqualityandmaintenanceofparksinPortTownsend?(n=769)
Source:SurveyMonkey,BERK2019.
March2020PORTTOWNSEND2020 PROSPLAN| VISION,PARKS130
CH. 8 | IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES
Deferred Maintenance
Port Townsend strives to preserve the quality and capacity of existingfacilities, extending useful
life for as long as practicable. As described under Monitoring above, target level of service
objectives seek to ensure maintenance resources are increased as system usage or system size
increases.
Maintenance staff reviewthe physical condition of park assets regularly. Each asset receives a
rating condition as good, fair, or poor. A condition rating is used to determine needed
maintenance, repair, or replacement. Capital replacements are scheduled in the City capital
improvement program in the budget. Smaller projects are handled by the on-site, routine
maintenance staff. Port Townsend strives to schedule planned lifecycle improvements and
known repairs within a six-year window.
Capital replacement projects are prioritized and executed based on thefollowing criteria:
Addresses a public safety or environmental health issue,
Promotes intended usage by the public and reduces loss of function,
Increases park capacity or benefit to the public, and
Promotes cost benefit and generates return tothe park system.
Accessibility
TheAmericans with DisabilitiesAct (ADA) of 1990 is a civil rights law prohibiting discrimination
based on disabilities and ensuring that people with disabilities have the same rights and
opportunities as everyoneelse. Under Title II of the ADA, a public entity is required to perform
a self-evaluation of its current services, policies, and practices for ADA compliance. The self-
evaluation includes surveying the existing facilities and identifying barriers to access and/or
communication. Following this self-evaluation, municipalities are required to create a plan to
where necessary to avoid discrimination and to ensure their
facilities and activities are accessible to all.
New construction projects are being designed in compliance with the 2010 Standards for
Accessible Design. ADA improvements have been considered in parkconcept plans and the
capital budget allows for additional improvements at other parks.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 131
CH. 8 | IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES
Stewardship and Maintenance Plans
Though natural areashave fewer built amenities and are maintained less frequently than active
recreation parks, stewardship of these areas increases opportunities for people to connect to
nature. This PROS Plan supports the development of Stewardship and Maintenance Plans for
parks intended for conservation such as Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park and Neighborhood Nature
Parks. Stewardship and Maintenance plans involve site assessments, tailored stewardship and
maintenance programs, coordination with partners or volunteers to ensure sites are properly
and safely managed and opened to the public for access and enjoyment consistent with the
plan.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
TheCity has identified open space assets in Appendix C. It identifies assets and priority areasfor
open space conservation which can guide open space conservation efforts and create
opportunities for partnerships. It can also be a platform for identifying stewardship
management needs, and grants, funding, and education opportunities.
Opportunities for environmental conservation recognition and education include:
Certifying Community Nature Parks and Neighborhood Nature Parks as Certified Wildlife
Habitats through the National Wildlife Federation. This would place certified parks on the
ovide
weather-proof signs to hang in the public space at each park that could support education
and understanding about the need for such spaces. This
goal to create large scale, nationwide wildlife corridors through certification, one property
and park at a time.
Community or Neighborhood Park to be turned specifically into Wildlife Trees (or Snags)
and Certified as such by the State of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife(for which
they have a specific program and signage for the tree). Like the Certified Wildlife Habitat
Certification by the National Wildlife Federation, the Wildlife Tree Certification is
inexpensive, the signs are weather proof and they are educational. City park trees could
illustrate the benefit of allowing dying trees to serve a wildlife function where appropriate
to the location and condition of a City park site.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 132
CH. 8 | IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES
COMMUNITY EDUCATION & PROMOTION
Given the number of parks and recreation sites operated andprogramed by the City, County,
State, and School District as well as non-profits within Port Townsend city limits, it can be
challenging for the public and each agency to understand available activities, schedules, and
resources.
Each agency provides regular fliers and newsads and web/email communication about its
recreation programming and events.
The City and other agencies could jointly coordinate and cross-promote recreation program
materials and parks and trails maps. The City and other agencies could explore establishing a
central email and phone number staffed on a rotating basis by each agency staff.
PLAN COORDINATION
This PROS Plan retains the Comprehensive Plan level of service (LOS) for consistency but
explores related target or aspirational LOS measures for distribution and function consistent
with the Comprehensive Plan policies. During future Comprehensive Plan Updates the City
could consider alternative means of measuring LOS or integrating targetLOS measures in the
Comprehensive Plan.
The City could consider updatingthe Non-Motorized Trail Plandrawing from theinformation in
this plan.
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND 2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 133
VISION,PARKS
CHAPTER 9
References
AssociationofNatureandForestTherapyGuidesandPrograms.(2019). TheScience.Retrieved
from https://www.natureandforesttherapy.org/:
https://www.natureandforesttherapy.org/
DeanRunyanAssociates.(2019,May).WashingtonStateTravelImpacts&VisitorVolume2010
2018p. Retrieved from www.deanrunyan.com:
http://www.deanrunyan.com/doc_library/WAStImp.pdf.
Hedden, B. P. (2017, September). 2017 Washington State Recreation and Conservation Plan,
Provider Survey Results. Retrieved from www.rco.wa.gov:
https://www.rco.wa.gov/StateRecPlans/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Provider-Survey-
Results.pdf
JeffersonHealthcare.(2019,March).SeniorExerciseOptionsinPortTownsends,Tri-Area,
Quilcene, Brinnon. Retrieved from https://jeffersonhealthcare.org/:
https://jeffersonhealthcare.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Senior-Exercise-
Options.pdf
Jostad,J.e.(2017,July).StateofWashington2017AssessmentofOutdoorRecreationDemand
Report. Retrieved from www.rco.wa.gov:https://www.rco.wa.gov/StateRecPlans/wp-
content/uploads/2017/08/Assessment-of-Demand.pdf
KevinRoth,N.(2017,July2).ParksandRecreation:ServingaGrowing,OlderPopulation.
Retrieved from https://www.nrpa.org/:https://www.nrpa.org/parks-recreation-
magazine/2017/july/parks-and-recreation-serving-a-growing-older-population/
Landes,S.E.(2008).MunicipalRecreationProgramming.RetrievedfromPennsylvania
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources:
135
CH. 9 | REFERENCES
http://www.docs.dcnr.pa.gov/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_002292.pd
f
National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO). (2014, March). nacto.org.
Retrieved from Urban BIkeway Design Guide: https://nacto.org/publication/urban-
bikeway-design-guide/
NationalRecreationandParkAssociation.(2019).2019NRPAAGENCYPERFORMANCEREVIEW:
PARK AND RECREATION AGENCY PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS. Ashburn, VA: NRPA.
Palmer, L. (2019,September 12). Board Member, Jefferson County Immigrant Rights Advocates.
(P. R. Alex Wisniewski, Interviewer)
Port Townsend Senior Association (PTSA). (2019,12 20). Learn About Us. Retrieved from
http://ptseniors.com/: http://ptseniors.com/about/
Tipping, E. R. (2019, June).2019 Stateof the Managed Recreation Industry. Retrieved from
http://recmanagement.com: http://recmanagement.com/feature/201906FE01
US Forest Service. (2016, September). Trail Fundamentals and Trail Management Objectives.
Retrieved from https://www.fs.usda.gov/: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-
land/trails/trail-management-tools/trail-fundamentals
Washington State Parks. (2019, December 20). FORT WORDEN STATE PARK. Retrieved from
www.stateparks.com:
https://www.stateparks.com/fort_worden_state_park_in_washington.html
White, M. P. (2019). Spendingat least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good
health and wellbeing. Nature 9:7730.
Witt, P. A. (2010). The Rationale for Recreation Services for Youth: An Evidenced Based
Approach. Retrieved from https://www.nrpa.org/:
https://www.nrpa.org/globalassets/research/witt-caldwell-full-research-paper.pdf
WSDOT. (2009, March 16). Bicycle Facilities. Retrieved from www.wsdot.wa.gov:
https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2009/03/16/BicycleFacilitiesPoster_V04.
pdf
March 2020 PORT TOWNSEND2020 PROS PLAN | VISION, PARKS 136
:031034
)BEEFOEVNT!2.5*
DPOGPSNBODF!QMBOT
:031034
)BEEFOEVNT!2.5*
DPOGPSNBODF!QMBOT
:031034
)BEEFOEVNT!2.5*
DPOGPSNBODF!QMBOT
:031034
)BEEFOEVNT!2.5*
DPOGPSNBODF!QMBOT
PROPOSED PLANT SUBSTITUTION LIST
Date: 5/22/24
DISCOVERY ROAD PROJECT
Bid Item #Design SpeciesProposed Substitution SpeciesReason for substitution
Specified species is unavailable. Similar species
39 Liquidambar rotundiloba 3" Cal.Liquidambar s. 'Worplesdon' 2.5" Cal.
proprosed at largest availabe size.
Specified species is unavailable. Similar species
40 Malus tschonoskil 3" Cal.Malus 'Red Barron' 2" Cal.
proprosed at largest availabe size.
41 Prunus x yedoensis 'Akebono' 3" Cal.Same but smaller size 2" Cal. Largest available size.
Specified species is unavailable. Similar species
42 ZELKOVA SERRATA, 3" Cal.Quercus palustris 'Green Pillar' 2.5" Cal.
proprosed at largest availabe size.
43 ACER GLABRUM, (DOUGLASII), 2" CAL Acer circinatum (Multi-stem)Specified species is unavailable.
No substitution. Same species nursery just has a
46 ARBUTUS UNEDO, (ELFIN KING), 5 GALARBUTUS UNEDO, 'Compacta'
different common name they use.
48 CEANOTHUS , (DARK STAR), 2 GAL Ceanothus 'Victoria'Specified species is unavailable.
No substitution. Currently have enough instock to
61 ERICA X DARLEYENSIS, 1 GAL"or similar"
supply project. In the event they run out, they
would try to substitue for something similar.
62 FOTHERGILLA GARDENENII, 1 GAL FOTHERGILLA GARDENENII, 5 GAL
Nursurey only sells these plants in 5 gallon size.
Planter: Yes
Height: 15
Width
Water req.: Drought/flood tolerant
Exposure req.: sun - part shade
Available: Yes, 5-gal container
Height
Water Req: water during dry months
Exposure: full sun to light or open shade
Available: Victoria yes, 6 -7'
A. The landmark tree preservation designation recognizes the significance of certain
special trees to the citizens of Port Townsend. A tree on private or public property
may be protected throughout its useful life because of its contribution to the
environment and city character.
B. Property Owner Consent. To be nominated as a landmark tree, consent of the
property owner, or owners, is required. Forms for nominating a tree as a
landmark tree will be maintained by public works.
C. Nominations for landmark tree designation shall be reviewed by the tree
committee. To qualify as a landmark tree, one or more of the following criteria must
be met:
1. The tree has significance associated with a historical person, place or event;
2. The tree has attained significant size in height, caliper, or canopy spread for its age and
species;
3. The tree has unique or uncommon aesthetic qualities for its species;
4. The tree is prominently visible to the public, along a major road or near a public place;
5. The tree possesses rare horticulture value.
D. In addition to the above criteria, to qualify as a landmark tree the tree must not
constitute a hazard or obstruction.
E. The tree committee shall consider all nominations for landmark tree designation at an
open public meeting.
F. Designation of Landmark Trees.
1. A property owner may propose to the city that a tree located on his or her private
property be designated as a landmark tree. Any city resident may propose to the city
that a tree located on public property be designated as a landmark tree. No tree may
bedesignated without the approval of the property owner(s)on which the tree, or
any portion of or canopy, is located.
2. Upon receipt of a proposed designation and the approval of the property owner,
the city tree committee at an open public meeting shall determine whether the
tree satisfies the criteria for being alandmark tree. The city tree committee shall
make a recommendation to the public works director whether or not to designate
the proposed tree as a landmark tree. The director shall make a final decision on the
proposal within 14 calendar days of receiving a recommendation from the city tree
committee.
3. If the city approves the proposed designation, it shall be memorialized in a
covenant signed by the city and the property own- er(s) in a form acceptable to the
city attorney. The covenant shall require that the tree be maintained by the property
owner(s) in a manner that is consistent with the provisions of this chapter. The
ding reasonable technical advice in
caring for the tree per subsection (F)(4) of this section. The covenant shall be
recorded by the county auditor.The city shallpay recording fees. The covenant and
designation shall be effective from the date of recording until such time as approval
by the public works director has been granted for the cutting of the tree.
4. Upon request of a property owner, the city shall provide reasonable adviceand
consultation on maintenance of any landmark tree without charge to the property
owner. (Ord. 2837 § 3(Exh. C § 1)).
12.24.060 Majorpruning or removal of landmark trees.
A. Landmark Tree Cutting Requirements.
1. Property owners may conduct minor pruning of designated landmark treesconsistent
with this chapter.
2. Major pruning or removal of landmark trees requires approval by the public works
director. A request to conduct major prun- ing or tree removal shall first be referred
to the tree committee for a recommendation. The tree committee shall forward
a recommendation to the public works director.
3. Criteria for Major Pruning or Removal of a Landmark Tree. The applicant must
demonstrate that major tree pruning or remov- al is necessary for one of the following
reasons:
a. The tree, or a portion of the tree proposed for removal, meets the definition of a hazard
tree;
b. The tree, or a portion of the tree proposed for removal, is dead;
c. The tree, or a portion of the tree proposed for removal meets the definition of a diseased
tree;
d. That the retention of the tree will have amaterial, adverse and unavoidable impact on
the use ofthe property.
4. The director shall reviewthe recommendation of the tree committee and may also
seek the advice of a qualified professional (certified arborist or other qualified tree
professional) in reaching his or her decision. (Ord. 2837 § 3(Exh. C § 1)).
12.24.070 Violations and penalties Enforcement.
A. Authority. Whenever the public works director or his or her designee
violation of this chapter or any
standard required to be adhered to by this chapter, or in violation of any permit
issued hereun- der, he or she is authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
B. Chapter 1.20 PTMC Applicable. All violations of any provision of this chapter or
incorporated standards, or of any permit or license issued hereunder, are declared
nuisances and made subject to the administration and enforcement provisions of
Chap- ter 1.20 PTMC, including any amendments, and including but not limited to
abatement, criminal penalty, and civil penalty as set forth in Chapter 1.20 PTMC,
which are incorporated by reference as if set forth herein. (Ord. 2952 § 3, 2008; Ord.
2837§ 3(Exh. C § 1); Ord. 2578 § 7, 1997; Ord. 2508 § 4, 1996).