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Richland launches yearlong update to parks, recreation and open space plan
Summary
City consultants presented a four-phase timeline for a new Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) comprehensive plan, emphasizing community engagement, service-area analysis and alignment with state requirements.
Consultants from MIG outlined a yearlong process to update Richland’s parks, recreation and open space comprehensive plan, telling the Parks and Recreation Commission on April 10 that the effort will center on community engagement and a multi-phase technical analysis.
John Finesse, principal with consulting firm MIG, told commissioners the work will start with an assessment of the city’s existing system and proceed through community needs analysis, action planning and final plan adoption. “This is a community driven plan, and the outcomes are going to be built on that community engagement,” Finesse said.
The project is split into four phases: (1) system assessment and inventorying, wrapping up early in the process; (2) community needs analysis including level-of-service and access mapping plus a tree-canopy evaluation required by Washington State climate planning laws; (3) development of vision, goals and a prioritized capital project list; and (4) compilation of the final PROS plan with public review. MIG’s Lauren (last name not provided in the presentation) said the team will produce interim briefs after phase 1 and phase 2 to document findings for staff, the Commission and City Council.
Commission staff and consultants said the plan will align with the state Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) required elements and coordinate with the city’s broader planning efforts, including the comprehensive plan and transportation system planning. Lauren said the team expects to use both online outreach and in-person engagement — including a community survey, interviews and a project website — and asked commissioners to serve as ambassadors to help reach residents.
Director Chris Waite introduced the consultants and told the Commission they will move immediately into a workshop to discuss the plan in more detail. The Commission adjourned the formal business meeting and convened a workshop to continue PROS discussion.
Next steps identified during the presentation include the city/consultant park tour and inventory work already under way, an in-person staff workshop to review maintenance and programming needs, a community survey in phase 2, and public review opportunities for the draft plan in phase 4. Consultants said a tree canopy evaluation will inform both parks planning and the city’s compliance with recent state climate planning requirements.
The presentation did not set final dates for each public engagement milestone; consultants said they would share a project website and the schedule as the work progresses.
