Liberty Lake reviews parks and recreation master plan; debate centers on how to count Centennial Trail and regional assets

The Liberty Lake Planning Commission reviewed a draft parks and recreation master plan and related natural‑environment and climate elements during a workshop at its Oct. 22 meeting, focusing discussion on how the city should count non‑city-owned regional assets such as the Centennial Trail and Liberty Lake Regional Park when setting park level‑of‑service standards.

Consultants reported that initial phases of the master‑plan process—demand and needs analysis and goals and objectives—are nearly complete and that staff intends to run a second community engagement phase over the winter to prioritize projects and inform capital‑improvement budgeting. The presentation said the Parks and Arts Commission is reviewing goals and will lead several items forward for the Planning Commission to finalize.

"Full aquatic center interest, the indoor community center, expanding trails, upgrading playgrounds, and maintaining existing facilities" were listed by the consultant as the highest‑priority items the public identified in survey and pop‑up engagement, and staff said those findings will guide next steps and cost…