Oak Harbor commission split on Flintstone Park reconfiguration; flagstaff relocation approved

Oak Harbor Parks and Recreation staff presented two preferred design options for Flintstone Park and asked the commission to confirm a recommendation to city council; the commission deadlocked 2-2 on a motion to forward its previously approved option and instead split on the preferred configuration. Separately, the commission voted unanimously to relocate the park flagstaff to Veterans Memorial Park.

The commission discussion centered on two options staff will present to council: Option 1 (the commission and Arts Commission’s preferred plan previously) would remove much of the roundabout and expand the upper parking area while keeping a walkable path to the waterfront trail; Option 2 would retain the lower parking lot and keep the drive open while expanding upper-lot parking as feasible. Staff said they will present both options to council for final direction.

Why it matters: the debate pits desires for expanded green space and event areas near the new sculpture against residents’ repeated requests to retain shoreline parking. Several public comments filed after earlier votes urged the city to preserve waterfront parking as a unique amenity; parks staff said once shore-side parking is removed it is unlikely to be replaced because of shoreline regulation constraints.

Commissioners and the public cited aesthetics, trail access and traffic flow. Parks staff said the installed sculpture required reconfiguration of the existing roundabout and that the Arts Commission favors maximizing green space around the artwork. Residents and some commissioners responded that the lower waterfront parking is widely used for lunches and shoreline views and expressed concern that removing it would be irreversible.

Public comment submitted in writing and read into the record included a letter asking that the flagpole and sculpture have distinct, respectful placements and a longer comment by Kyle Reininger of the Garry Oak Society saying the park is personally and historically important and urging retention of useful parking space and vantage points.

On the motions: a commissioner moved to reaffirm the commission’s original recommendation (Option 1) and to relocate the flagstaff. That motion received a second and was put to a voice vote; the commission’s vote on recommending Option 1 resulted in a 2-2 tie, which staff said constitutes failure for lack of a majority. The motion to relocate the flagstaff was taken separately and passed unanimously among the commissioners present.

Budget and next steps: staff reported $12,000 currently budgeted specifically for removal of asphalt and reconfiguration work at Flintstone Park and said additional leftover shoreline-erosion funds and an unspent storage-shed allocation could be redirected to beautification work if council approves a plan. Staff will forward both options and the split recommendation, plus commissioners’ comments, to city council for a final decision.

The commission also asked staff to continue coordination with public works, police and development services about traffic patterns, to monitor the temporary opening of a one-way access at the lower parking area, and to return to the commission with cost estimates and permitting implications before irreversible demolition or major surfacing work begins.

A tie vote on the park recommendation and the unanimous approval to relocate the flagstaff will both be included in staff materials presented to city council at the next workshop.