city council and parks & recreation commission

1/11/2021

1

Mercer Island Parks, Recreation & Open Space Plan Update

City Council and Parks & Recreation Commission

AB 5797: January 19, 2021


PROS Plan update initiated in late 2019

Planning work was suspended in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

• Community survey

• Inventory assessments

Restarting with completion target of Q3 2021

Foreword


1

2

AB 5797 | Exhibit 2 | Page 34

1/11/2021

2


Overview of PROS Plan

• Major Work Tasks

• Timeline Review

Public Process Summary

Efforts to Date / Early Next Steps

Insights & Direction

Presentation Topics



What is the PROS Plan?

The Parks, Recreation & Open Space Plan is a 6-year guide* and strategic plan for managing and enhancing parks, open space, trails, and recreation opportunities for the Mercer Island community.

• Policy & Strategy Guide

• Capital Planning Tool

• Communications Tool

*The last plan was adopted in 2014 and expired December 2019.


3

4


1/11/2021

3



The Plan is strategic in focus andguided by the following questions:

• What are our strengths? And what are key areas for improvement?

• How do we meet community needs now and into the future?

• Where should we focus our efforts and resources?

Public input is crucial to make sure goals and priorities are consistent with community needs and interests.




Steps to Building the Plan:

• Community Engagement

• Inventory Site Assessments

• Goals & Policies Review

• System-wide Needs Assessment

• Capital Project Planning

• Implementation & Funding Strategies

• Plan Review & Approval


5

6

AB 5797 | Exhibit 2 | 6

1/11/2021

4


Start Up / Grounding

Existing Conditions

Needs Assessment

Goals & Strategies

Draft Plan Final Plan

Dec 2020 8 months July 2021 (Tentative)

Public Involvement

Community Survey #2

Virtual Community Meeting

Stakeholder Sessions

Let’s Talk / Online Engagement

Project Timeline

P&R Commission Sessions


Project Efforts to Date

• Public Involvement Plan

• Community Survey #1

• Park & trail inventory assessment

Early Next Steps

• Prepare for outreach

• Administer community survey #2

• Conduct family & senior group discussions

• Compile system mapping & gap analysis

Restarting the Project


7

8


1/11/2021

5


Community Engagement

Informed, Inclusive, Engaged

Surveys

Let’s Talk

Online Outreach

Stakeholder Discussions

Virtual Community

Meetings

Commission & Council

• Survey #1 (pre-Pandemic)

• Senior & family-oriented discussions

• Survey #2 on core services

• Virtual open house on priorities

• Significant P&R Commission guidance

• Engagement with Arts Council and

Open Space Conservancy Trust

• Multiple City Council touch points


• Designed in coordination with staff and Park & Recreation Commission

• February – March 2020

• Mailed to 2,500 randomized addresses

• 525 respondents (21% response rate)

• Online survey available to entire community

• Survey datasets kept separated

1,763 completed surveys!

Survey #1 Highlights

9

10


1/11/2021

6


93% of respondents are satisfied with the value they receive from Mercer Island

Over 99% feel parks & recreation is essential or important



Top 10 reasons for visiting Mercer Island parks


Top reasons for not visiting more

• Not enough parking

• Not enough restrooms

• Use parks or facilities provided by others

11

12


1/11/2021

7



‘Goldilocks’ question

• Shoreline access

• Indoor facilities

• Community events

• Arts & culture

Majority of respondents feel there are either the ‘right amount’ or ‘more than enough’ for each item listed.



Interest in park system

investments

• Synthetic turf fields

• Lighted sport fields

• Indoor fitness & exercise

facilities

• Bike trails

5.1%

12.2%

13.7%

11.2%

13.8%

4.6%

5.0%

5.4%

5.8%

6.1%

Have Need for More

Need Not Well Met

13

14


1/11/2021

8



Interest in recreation

opportunities

• Boating programs

• Performing arts

• Outdoor classes

• Swimming & water safety

• Educational classes

7.7%

14.3%

10.3%

20.2%

14.1%

6.8%

8.4%

12.2%

3.7%

6.8%

Have Need for More

Need Not Well Met



Priority Events

• Summer Celebration

• Mostly Music in the Park

15

16


1/11/2021

9


Discussion Questions

Think long-term…

What is your vision for Mercer Island Parks and Recreation in 2050? What does “success” look like thirty years from now? What do you want to achieve by 2050?



Think near-term…

Over the next five years, what should the City be doing more of? Less of? Differently?

17

18


1/11/2021

10



What has changed since the start of the Pandemic?

What do you want to learn from the community in the coming months through the survey and other community engagementstrategies?

19


city council and parks & recreation commission

Documents