Public raises conservation, stewardship and staffing concerns at Kitsap County PROS plan hearing; county extends comment period

Kitsap County parks staff opened a public hearing May 20 on the draft 2025 Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan and told the Planning Commission the document is a six‑year strategic plan that guides goals, objectives and the capital improvement program.

Alex Wisniewski, Kitsap County parks director, said the PROS plan meets Growth Management Act requirements for parks and open space and is the planning document the county uses to remain eligible for Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grants. Carmen Smith, parks planner, said the draft was released Feb. 10 for a five‑week public comment period; staff received 447 comments during that period and had opened an additional two‑week hearing comment window prior to the meeting.

Most public commenters urged stronger conservation protections for the county’s large heritage parks, especially Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park. Patricia Wiegand urged classifying a large portion of Port Gamble as a nature…