Kenmore Planning Commission Hosts Community Meeting on PROS Plan Update

The Kenmore Planning Commission held a community meeting on July 22, 2025, to discuss updates to the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Plan. Principal Planner Todd Hall opened the meeting, emphasizing the importance of updating the PROS Plan every six years to maintain eligibility for grant funding. The current plan is set to expire in February.

Hall introduced key participants, including Community Development Director Debbie Bennett and Tom Beckwith from Beckwith Consulting Group, who will assist in the plan's development. Beckwith outlined the structure of the PROS Plan, which includes community goals, population growth context, and the results of resident surveys. He noted that the plan will assess existing parks and propose future upgrades and maintenance needs.

A significant component of the meeting was the ongoing resident survey, which remains open for community input. Beckwith highlighted that a final survey will be conducted to prioritize projects and explore funding options, with postcards sent to every household to encourage participation.

The meeting also included a timeline for the planning process, detailing upcoming meetings with the Planning Commission and City Council. Beckwith stated that the consulting team, which has extensive experience in park and recreation planning, began their work in early 2025 and aims to complete the plan by the end of the year.

The session concluded with an invitation for community members to ask questions and share their interests, reinforcing the city's commitment to involving residents in the planning process. The updates to the PROS Plan are crucial for shaping Kenmore's parks and recreation facilities for the future.