Kenmore begins update to 20-year parks, recreation and open‑space plan; survey and open house set

Kenmore has launched an update of its Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan to guide parks, facilities and recreation programs for the next 20 years and to retain eligibility for Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grant funding, city planners said.

Todd Hall, principal planner in community development for the City of Kenmore, said the PROS plan “provides a framework for the future development of the parks and rec facilities and programs that we offer in the city of Kenmore, and that's looked at over the next 20 years.” Hall said the RCO requires the city to update the plan every six years and that Kenmore’s deadline for the current update is the coming February.

The city is seeking public input through an online survey posted on the project’s Speak Up Kenmore page, a statistically valid mailed survey to residents later this summer, and an in‑person and virtual open house scheduled for Tuesday, July 20 in the City Council chambers. Hall said the city will analyze survey results to identify community priorities, capital needs and potential funding approaches.

Why this matters: RCO certification is a condition for certain state and federal parks grants. Hall said the PROS update will include the state‑required components RCO reviews: goals and objectives, an inventory of the existing system, a public involvement process, demand and needs analysis, a capital facilities program and formal adoption by the City Council.

What’s in the update: Hall said staff and consultant Tom Beckwith of Beckwith Consulting Group will evaluate recreational trends, participation rates and demographic changes and will recommend short‑, mid‑ and long‑term projects along with estimated costs and potential funding sources. The work also will include a required update to the parks, recreation and open‑space element of Kenmore’s comprehensive plan, a capital facilities plan listing projects and funding over the next six years, and completion of a SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) review.

Existing system and priorities: Kenmore operates 13 parks and open‑space and recreation facilities across roughly 146–150 acres, Hall said. Facility types include pocket or neighborhood parks, larger community parks such as Rhododendron Park, waterfront parks including Log Boom Park, the Jack Crawford Skate Park adjacent to city hall and the recently opened Tilaquities Park, which provides waterfront access for paddling and other activities. The city also relies on regionally managed trails and parks used by residents, including the Burke‑Gilman Trail, the Tolt Pipeline Trail and Saint Edward State Park.

Public engagement and schedule: Hall said the project began earlier in 2025 and will continue through adoption. He expects five to six planning commission meetings, a public hearing on the draft plans by mid‑October and a city council review afterward, with the goal of adopting the PROS plan by the end of 2025. He said the parks impact fee — a charge assessed to new development to fund park improvements — is anticipated to be adopted in early 2026. Hall described outreach that includes online surveys, mailed statistically valid surveys, public meetings, presence at farmers markets and posted updates and materials on the city website.

Stakeholders: Hall identified many local and regional stakeholders who will be invited to participate, including user groups, neighboring jurisdictions and state agencies such as Washington State Parks and the Department of Fish and Wildlife; local partners including the Northshore School District, the Kenmore Library, the Kenmore Senior Center, sports leagues (for example North Lake Little League and local soccer programs), nonprofit environmental stewardship groups and recreation service providers such as the YMCA and program vendors.

Next steps and how to participate: Hall encouraged residents to complete the online survey on Speak Up Kenmore, attend the July 20 open house (in person or virtually) and follow project updates on the city website. He said survey results will be used to prioritize facility maintenance, improvements and program offerings and to shape capital investment recommendations the city will present to the planning commission and city council.

Hall summed up the project goals this way: “We want to make sure that we're looking at ways to help preserve those open spaces, wetlands, and those areas that folks wanna retain” while also planning for programming, access and maintenance needs.

The city’s project page on Kenmore’s official website and the Speak Up Kenmore portal include the survey and event details; Hall and Community Development Director Debbie Bent are listed as contacts for the project.