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Commission reviews parks and open‑space goals; Thomas House acquisition and forest parcel discussed
Summary
Planning staff reviewed Coupeville’s parks, recreation and open‑space element, highlighted the town’s inventory and a town‑owned forest parcel that may be annexed for open space; commissioners and residents urged prioritized acquisition and protections for historic and agricultural character.
Planning staff reviewed the Parks, Recreation and Open Space chapter of Coupeville’s comprehensive plan at the Jan. 21 meeting, describing the town’s facilities inventory, trails, and larger open‑space parcels that the town owns or coordinates with partners to manage.
The presentation noted the town maintains parks, trails, a boat launch and other facilities and coordinates with Island County and the National Park Service on access and stewardship. Staff identified a substantial forest parcel outside Coupeville’s current municipal boundary — described repeatedly in the meeting as a town‑owned forest on the southwest side of town — that the town is pursuing for annexation so it can count as a town park and be managed as open space.
Commissioners and residents raised several site‑specific and policy questions. One commissioner welcomed PR 1.6, a policy prioritizing acquisition and protection of the Thomas House property (near the sewage treatment plant), calling it "a real asset to this community." Residents asked that future park design and trail extensions respect habitat and agricultural uses; one commenter suggested extending the town’s east–west pedestrian backbone from the sculpture park to the town park if finances allow.
A resident asked about a small neighborhood pocket park (identified during the meeting as Sunset Terrace) and how it is listed in the town’s inventory. Staff confirmed Sunset Terrace is classified as one of the town parks in the inventory.
Staff said there are currently no detailed plans to develop trails within the large forest parcel; it would be designated for habitat and low‑intensity recreation unless community demand, funding and feasibility studies support trails. The parcel would remain largely forested as a natural buffer between agricultural parcels and the town. Annexation and formal designation would be coordinated with Island County before any development or trail construction.
The commission discussed how new subdivisions typically dedicate open‑space parcels through the subdivision process and noted that previously dedicated open space in a C‑shaped parcel resulted from such conditions. Several commissioners and members of the public recommended that the town consider prioritized acquisitions for large forested parcels along Parker Road to create a connected open‑space backbone and more local recreational opportunities.
No formal action was taken; staff will continue outreach and coordination with Island County and the National Park Service on access and potential annexation of town‑owned open space.
