20240604 DRAFT Chapter 4 - Parks CLEANChapter 4: Parks
Chapter 4. PARKS AND RECREATION
4.1. Introduction
The Parks and Recreation Element of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan provides direction and
guidance to improve and maintain the City's existing parks and recreation facilities while also
creating new parks and recreation facilities to meet the needs of a growing population. This
Element has been developed as a collaborative effort with input from members of the public,
elected and appointed officials, and Planning
Department staff. The Element was updated to
reflect current (2024) data, facilities, and
Parks Vision population, with the planning horizon projected to
Parks and open space are essential 2044. To supplement this Element, the 2022 Parks,
components in the fabric of a vibrant Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Plan is
city. Oursafe and well -maintained adopted by reference in Appendix D.
parks and recreation facilities knit the
community together, stabilize and
enhance residential neighborhoods,
and add vitality to the downtown core
while encouraging and supporting
increased shoreline access and
recreation.
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan
This Element serves as a guide for general parks
and recreation improvements while the PROS
Plan identifies specific facilities and
includes more detailed plans for
maintenance, improvements, and/or
additions. The City's regulatory and non -
regulatory decision making, including budget
decisions related to parks, should be
consistent with both the Parks and
Recreation Element and the PROS
Plan. Used in this way, comprehensive
parks planning minimizes conflict in
decision -making and promotes
coordination among programs and
regulations to best serve the whole
Port Orchard community.
Over the next 20 years, the City of
Port Orchard plans to focus on
maintaining existing parks and
recreation facilities while also
expanding to meet future needs.
These efforts will be funded by
annual budget expenditures, grants,
impact fees, and other financial
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Chapter 4: Parks
means available to the City.
Although the emphasis is to maintain the existing park system, the number of parks and trails
will need to increase to meet the demands of the new population. Based on the levels of
service identified in the City's PROS Plan, over the next 20 years the City should acquire
additional acres for new parks, recreation facilities, and open space opportunities consistent
with the PROS Plan.
4.2. Public Involvement
Throughout the development of and subsequent updates to the Comprehensive Plan and
PROS Plan, the public has been offered several opportunities to provide input and feedback
through surveys and public meetings/workshops. Public input and feedback helps the City to
build a better understanding of the community's needs and desires, which is used to inform
updates to the Plans.
part of the public
igagement for the
welopment of the 2022
IOS Plan, a survey was
stributed to households
ithin the Port Orchard zip
)des. Survey results indicated
gh levels of satisfaction in
e existing park and trail
vels of service. The survey
sults also revealed
aterfront Park and
cCormick Village Park as the
ost frequently used. More
tails on public engagement
efforts and input gathered is
available in the PROS Plan in Appendix D.
4.3. Parks Vision — Connections
The City of Port Orchard 2024 Comprehensive Plan identifies designated Centers. The vision
of the Parks Element and PROS Plan is to ensure that every center contains and/or is connected
to a park by safe non -motorized routes.
Trails and open spaces were identified as a top outdoor facility (with ADA accessibility) to be
added to Port Orchard in the 2022 Parks Survey. Connecting local centers and parks with safe
non -motorized routes, including those in public right-of-way such as bike lanes and walking
shoulders, will increase access to active transportation for all residents and benefit the entire
community. The Nonmotorized section of the Transportation Element provides further detail
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Chapter 4: Parks
on existing and future trails.
1 Bethel South Property
3 Bravo Terrace Open Space
3 Central/Clayton Park
4 OeKalb Pler
5 Etta Turner Park
6 Givens Deid/Active Club
7 Lundberg Park
8 MCCoCmlck Village Park
9 Mitchell Park
10 Old Clifton Wetlands
11
Paul POWeCs Jr Park
. Rockwell Park
1
3 Seattle Avenue Open Space
1
4 Van Zee Park
15 Windfall Place Tot Lot
I6 Bay Street Pedestrian Path
ROrt Orchard parks and open spaces
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- Cwty Lnail. - Urban (k.wth Ar
Map 1: Parks and Open Spaces, as shown in the City's PROS Plan.
4.4. Existing Conditions
Port Orchard provides a range of parks, recreation, open space, and ecosystem services by
protecting native wildlife habitat, restoring and preserving natural systems, enjoying majestic
marine and mountain views, and ensuring new development enhances the natural
environment. The existing City parks system is supplemented by South Kitsap School District
and the Kitsap County Parks and Recreation Department facilities. An inventory of current
parks facilities and maps showing park facility locations is included in the PROS Plan in
Appendix D.
4.5. Future Planned Parks Facilities
The PROS Plan provides a long-term vision and goals and objectives for the entire parks and
open space network, including trail systems, recreation facilities, historic and cultural
resources, and specific City -owned properties. The Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
allocates capital facility funds to maintain and acquire new parks and recreation facilities in the
City and implements the goals and objectives of the PROS Plan. Additional potential sources of
revenue to implement the PROS Plan goals and objectives include Port Orchard Real Estate
Excise Taxes (REET) and grant applications to the Washington State Recreation and
Conservation Office (RCO).
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Chapter 4: Parks
4.6. Challenges and Opportunities
Challenges
The City of Port Orchard faces a rapidly growing population. To provide adequate parks, trails,
and recreation opportunities for the growing community, the City has developed new public
park facilities by McCormick Communities (St. Andrews Park and McCormick West pedestrian
pathways). The City is also working toward developing a community event center with
surrounding plazas, remodeling the Givens Park sports courts, building a new regional
stormwater park southeast of Sherman Avenue, and expanding Ruby Creek Regional Park and
McCormick Village Park. As the City's population and parks facilities grow, limited City
resources, including staff time are strained. In the future, the City may wish to consider
creating a Parks Department.
The relative lack of safe non -motorized transportation infrastructure (i.e.; walking and
bicycling paths) within the City is identified as a significant issue in the Non -Motorized section
of the Transportation Element. It is also a challenge for parks and recreation planning, as one
of the City's identified goals is to create non -motorized trail and path connections between
local centers, parks, the waterfront, and other areas where people live and work within the
community.
A walkability map, generated around existing City, Kitsap County, Port of Bremerton, South
Kitsap School District, and Homeowner Association (HOA) facilities, indicates that there are
significant amounts of developed areas within the City and UGA that lack effective park and
recreation services, including but not limited to the following:
• Port Orchard Centers— including portions of the designated centers in the Comprehensive Plan.
• Undeveloped lands — in the northwest portion of the City, near Ross Point,
• McCormick Woods — in the northeast portion of the development, where passive open spaces
are provided, but not active uses such as playgrounds, sports courts, or other park amenities.
The PROS Plan identifies future trails, parks, and recreation facilities to fill these service gaps.
Opportunities
The City of Port Orchard benefits from its proximity to centers for recreation, open space, and
sports fields outside City limits, and/or held by other agencies or groups, such as the South Kitsap
School District and Kitsap County. Creating and strengthening regional partnerships will enable
Port Orchard and its partners to provide higher quality facilities and more opportunities to access
recreation opportunities than would be possible alone.
The City of Port Orchard is already working with Kitsap County and other nearby jurisdictions to
expand a regional water trail including shoreline access with launch points, rest areas, and parking
facilities. As identified in the Non -Motorized Transportation Plan, additional improvements to the
City's non -motorized transportation network should be a prioritized to provide residents and
visitors wider access to opportunities to enjoy a safe, interconnected system of parks and trails.
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Chapter 4: Parks
The 2022 PROS Plan was approved by the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO), meaning the
City is eligible for recreation and conservation grant programs through the RCO, which could
potentially fund park land acquisition to keep up with the growing population and demand for
parks and recreation facilities.
4.7. Goals and Objectives
The City of Port Orchard has maintained a consistent set of goals and objectives in its endeavor
to provide recreation opportunities to the community. The overall goal of the Parks Element is
to develop and maintain adequate and convenient parks, recreation, and open space
areas and facilities for all users and better serve both the existing and future population
of Port Orchard and surrounding areas. This goal can be achieved by several objectives.
Objective 1: Increase public access to the marine shoreline.
Objective 2: Preserve and enhance active and scenic open space by:
a. Enhancing and improving existing park facilities.
b. Discouraging obstructions of scenic views.
Objective 3: Increase the size and number of parks and open spaces by:
a. Establishing partnerships with other agencies to jointly utilize public facilities.
b. Promoting through public and private investments, the acquisition of open space
facilities, and proper maintenance thereof.
c. Using public input to develop plans for public parks.
Objective 4: Provide parks, trails, and open spaces within walking distance of
urban residents
a. Prioritize historically underserved communities for open space improvements and
investments.
b. Promote equitable access to recreation opportunities.
c. Providing for a mixture of active and passive open spaces within residential and
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Chapter 4: Parks
commercial areas.
As South Kitsap County and Port Orchard continue to grow, the importance of the limited
recreation resources continue to increase. Greater population pressures demand well-defined
goals and priorities. In order to achieve these comprehensive goals and objectives, concise and
realistic goals must be specified:
Goal 1: Establish a coordinated and connected system of open
space throughout the City that:
• Preserves natural systems.
• Protects wildlife habitat and corridors.
• Provides land for both active and passive recreation accessible for all.
• Increases opportunities for physical activity.
• Preserves natural landforms and scenic areas.
• Is accessible by a safe non -motorized transportation system.
• Promotes equitable access to parks and recreation facilities.
Policy PK-1 Preserve and enhance the natural and aesthetic qualities of
shoreline areas while allowing reasonable development to meet the needs of
all residents.
Policy PK-2 Promote visual and public access to shorelines where it is not
in conflict with preserving environmentally sensitive areas or protecting
significant wildlife habitat.
Policy PK-3 Distribute parks and open spaces throughout the City, but
particularly focus new facilities in or near:
• Designated centers that do not currently contain parks or open spaces.
• Residential neighborhoods facing the greatest population growth
where populations are currently, or projected to be, underserved by
existing parks facilities.
• Residential neighborhoods that have historically underserved
communities.
• Areas where existing facilities are deficient.
• Areas where connections could be made.
Policy PK-4 Work with nearby jurisdictions, state, federal, and tribal
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governments to identify and protect open space networks to be preserved
within and around Port Orchard.
Policy PK-5 Preserve environmentally sensitive areas to delineate
neighborhood boundaries and create open space corridors.
Goal 2: Encourage the development and maintenance of open
space and recreation facilities, where possible, in the
established areas of the City.
Policy PK-6 Obtain and preserve open space areas and recreation facilities
to meet established levels of service and to link open spaces within a
connected network accessible to the existing and future population of the
City.
Policy PK-7 Preserve the ecological functions of the Blackjack Creek
watershed, the shoreline, and adjacent areas in balance with residential,
commercial, and other uses.
Policy PK-8 Shape and seek the right balance for urban development through
the use of open space, thereby strengthening the beauty, identity, and
aesthetic qualities of the City and surrounding areas.
Policy PK-9 Maintain and/or expand shoreline parks and trails linking the
downtown core to the shoreline. Proposed walking and biking trails should be
designed to serve all residential areas.
Policy PK-10 Encourage safe parks and recreation equipment by maintaining
existing facilities.
Policy PK-11 Develop covered play structures whenever feasible to encourage
use of parks and recreation facilities in all conditions.
Policy PK-12 Work with the Port of Bremerton to identify areas within the
existing Port -owned waterfront parking lots that are suitable for conversion
to open space. Upon mutual agreement of the parking areas to be converted;
develop a plan for the creation of waterfront open space in these areas, with
a focus on connecting to existing and planned shoreline access points and
pedestrian pathways.
Goal 3: To provide open space or natural landscaping
throughout the City limits.
Policy PK-13 Zoning ordinances shall identify and preserve open space areas.
Policy PK-14 Landscaping, such as trees and shrubbery, should be included
in the commercial areas of the City.
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Policy PK-15 Vacant municipal land not required for municipal services should
be maintained to provide a pleasing natural condition.
Goal 4: Neighborhood parks and recreation facilities should
be conveniently located throughout the City.
Policy PK-16 The Active Club should continue to be maintained and improved.
Policy PK-17 A Community Event Center should be encouraged.
Policy PK-18 To ensure that the City's parks and recreation facilities are
welcoming to all, new facilities shall be designed for accessibility to meet the
requirements of the federal American Disabilities Act, and existing facilities
should be retrofitted for increased accessibility where feasible and
appropriate.
Policy PK-19 Maximize the use of State and Federal grants for future
improvements whenever possible.
Policy PK-20 Coordinate with other governmental entities and civic
organizations to provide new facilities to the public.
Policy PK-21 Encourage commercial enterprises to establish facilities which
are harmonious with the community vision and goals.
Goal 5: Encourage commercial enterprises to establish
private commercial recreation facilities.
Policy PK-22 Athletic fields should be supplemented with picnic and
playground facilities to encourage family participation.
Policy PK-23 Athletic fields should be developed in accordance with the
PROS Plan.
Policy PK-24 Continue to encourage and promote private sports and recreation
programs.
Policy PK-25 Coordinate with sports councils and committees when possible.
Goal 6: The waterfront should be preserved and protected to
enhance public use.
Policy PK-26 Boat docks and marinas should be encouraged; however,
these activities are not to be construed as the sole resource of the
waterfront.
Policy PK-27 Public access to the water is required for new municipal
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development, unless such access is shown to be incompatible due to reasons
of safety, security or impact to the shoreline environment. Public access to
the water should be provided for new commercial development unless such
improvements are demonstrated to be infeasible or present hazards to life
and property.
Policy PK-28 Viewing decks and similar pedestrian -oriented structures are
needed and should be constructed in the urban waterfront area.
Policy PK-29 The Bay Street Pedestrian Path system should be maintained
and expanded.
Policy PK-30 Beach access should be identified and developed. This should
be integrated with the Bay Street Pedestrian Path trail system and Kitsap
Peninsula Water Trails system.
Goal 7. Provide avariety of water and shoreline related
recreation opportunities for the public.
Policy PK-31 The City, in conjunction with other agencies and
organizations, should work to maintain, enhance, and expand existing water
and shoreline related recreation opportunities for the public.
Policy PK-32 The City, in conjunction with other jurisdictions, should work
to develop new and diverse water and shoreline related recreation
opportunities for the public.
Goal 8. Provide open space within residential and commercial
developments.
Policy PK-33 Continue to require buffers and open space with new
developments.
Policy PK-34 Encourage creation of open and communal spaces with multi-
family and commercial developments.
Goal 9. Preserve critical areas within open space.
Policy PK-35 Steep slopes and sensitive areas within open space should be
protected with critical area restrictions.
Policy PK-36 Preserve open space that functions as a buffer between land
uses.
Goal 10. Promote the acquisition and maintenance of open
space through public and private investment.
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Policy PK-37 Countywide open space acquisition should be encouraged.
Policy PK-38 Maintenance of City -owned open space should take precedence
over acquisition of new City parks unless the proposed park serves an
identified need in the City's Parks Plan.
Goal 11. Enhance and expand existing park facilities.
Policy PK-39 Improvements in parks should be done continually.
Policy PK-40 Prioritize expansion of existing parks in residential areas where
communities currently underserved with parks and recreation facilities.
Goal 11. Place and construct community entry monuments on
arterial City entrances.
Policy PK-41 Maintain and landscape existing Gateway areas.
Policy PK-42 Install wayfinding signage according to wayfinding system
plan.
Goal 12. Provide dedicated oversight and encourage public
participation in planning for City parks and recreation
facilities.
Policy PK-43 The City should establish a parks commission or similar citizen
board to review major parks development plans and proposals to purchase or
sell City parks property, and provide recommendations to the Planning
Commission and City Council.
Policy PK-44 The City should consider creating a Parks Department to operate
and maintain City parks and recreation facilities, and to plan and budget for
future acquisitions and improvements.
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