The City of College Place Parks & Recreation Advisory Board approved the city’s final Parks, Open Space and Recreation Plan after a presentation by staff and a brief discussion about grant-related language.

The plan, presented by Elizabeth Smith, lays out parks goals, updated level-of-service standards, conceptual sites and a capital improvement program. "I'm excited to present the final version of the City of College Place Parks Open Space and Recreation Plan," Smith said, noting the plan aligns with Growth Management Act and Recreation and Conservation Office funding eligibility standards and will feed into the 2026 comprehensive plan update.

The nut graf: The board approved the document to position College Place for grants and partnerships and to guide near-term projects such as completing Lions Park, improving trail connections and addressing accessibility and signage. The plan also identifies nearly 30 acres of conceptual park sites, updates walkability metrics (a half-mile target to a neighborhood park and a one-mile target to a community park) and includes a prioritized CIP.

Board discussion centered on whether language referencing "equity" and "inclusion" could affect eligibility for some federal or pass-through grant funds. Chair Frey raised the concern that "anything that has ... equity in it is being really scrutinized at the federal level," and asked whether the plan’s wording could jeopardize funding. Smith and other staff said much of the city’s grant funding is received through state pass-through programs and that state requirements (RCWs and state grant guidance) still support equity-related language. Board members also said the plan could be amended later if federal rules change.

Action taken: John Rickard moved to approve the final Parks, Open Space and Recreation Plan "as presented," and Elizabeth Smith seconded. The motion carried on voice vote with the board in favor; no opposing votes were recorded. Board members noted the plan makes College Place competitive for state and RCO grants and creates a clear path to implement prioritized projects.

The board asked staff to forward a recently received state memo (discussed during the meeting) about Lions Park funding to members for review. Members set no immediate edits to the plan and approved it as written, with the understanding the document can be amended in the future to respond to changing grant rules or funding requirements.

Less-critical details: The plan reflects community input gathered via a bilingual survey (reported as 50 responses), outreach at a farmers market and multiple Parks Advisory Board meetings. Concept site names discussed include Stone Creek Park, Ledbetter Park, Sunset Villas Park and a consultant concept for Maple Whitman Park. The board’s next regular meeting was noted as July 25.