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Public facilities director updates commission on parks plan, kiosks, trail repairs and shoreline studies
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Summary
Public Facilities Director Chris Waite briefed the commission on the six‑year Parks, Recreation and Open Space plan community engagement, multiple capital projects — including a completed McMurray Pathway, West Village Park soft opening and geotechnical work for shoreline stabilization — and noted tribal review is underway for several projects.
Chris Waite, public facilities director, told the commission the department is beginning a major community engagement phase for the six‑year Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan, including five stakeholder focus groups and a public survey expected in late June or early July.
Waite provided status updates on several capital projects. He said the McMurray Pathway is complete after pruning overgrown junipers. West Village Park had a soft opening and the first six acres are open; the playground phase will include a public‑safety or fire‑station theme because of the park’s proximity to the fire station. Howard Amon Playground is open; staff are pursuing temporary shade for slides this season and plan to request larger shade funding next year.
Waite said the Skate Park restroom remains unusable because of a damaged sewer main; the project is moving forward with public works because the restroom’s condition affects compliance with a state grant tied to the project. Leslie Groves Tennis Courts work resumed this spring after staff identified that tribal engagement required by an MOU had not been completed; the city opened a 30‑day comment period to satisfy that requirement before bidding.
On partnerships and interpretive work, Waite said the GA Pearson Urban Greenbelt Trail kiosk content is underway with marketing and that the Hanford Reach kiosk project has basalt pillars installed and interpretive panel drafts under internal and Army Corps review; the Reach Museum celebration is planned for Aug. 6 with hopes the kiosk will be unveiled in conjunction with that event. Waite also reported completion of a geotechnical investigation for shoreline stabilization on the Riverfront Trail; findings identify localized erosion areas that will be addressed in follow‑on design work.
Waite asked commissioners to help publicize the upcoming community survey to ensure broad participation. Several projects are proceeding while subject to tribal review, grant compliance and coordination with other agencies; Waite described those dependencies and indicated further updates will be provided in August or September.
