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University Place council amends parks plan, approves purchase of property next to Kobayashi Preserve
Summary
City council adopted an amendment to the Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) plan to allow acquisition and improvements adjacent to Kobayashi Preserve and approved purchase of 6428 Chambers Creek Road West for $735,000 to add parking, trails and preserve sensitive habitat.
The University Place City Council on Oct. 6, 2025 unanimously approved an amendment to the city’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) plan and authorized the purchase of 6428 Chambers Creek Road West, a property adjacent to Kobayashi Preserve, to provide parking, trail improvements and additional preserved land.
Jack Eklund, director of public works, told the council the PROS plan amendment flags the recommended acquisition of properties near Kobayashi Preserve and Adriana Hess Wetland Park and the construction of additional trail and parking improvements on those parcels. Eklund said the adjacent property currently being negotiated is about an acre and a half and would let the city use existing paved areas for parking to avoid disturbing the preserve’s natural environment. “This property is currently owned by Joanne Frederick,” Eklund said. “The proposed price we’ve agreed on at this point is $735,000. There was an appraisal of the property that came in at just over $800,000, so it is a good deal for the city.”
The move follows a public hearing on the PROS amendment. Resident Ellen Kojima, who said she visited Kobayashi after the previous meeting, urged careful environmental review. “I don’t know where we could put a parking lot without removing really beautiful trees that are necessary,” Kojima said, and she asked that salmon habitat and tree protection be prioritized as the project moves forward.
Council members repeatedly described Kobayashi as a sensitive natural area. Council member McCluskey noted recent salmon sightings there and said the city must “protect the natural environment first and foremost, prior to any active recreational uses and parking.” Several council members thanked the Frederick family for making the sale possible and called the acquisition a rare opportunity to expand parkland without disturbing the preserve.
City staff said funding is available but requires a future budget appropriation. Eklund said about half the funds to acquire the parcel are expected to come from park impact fees (he said the city has over $2,000,000 available for that purpose) and the remainder would likely come from general-fund sources or the city’s ending fund balance; an appropriation will be included in the next budget adjustment.
Council adopted the resolution amending the PROS plan and then approved the purchase; both measures passed 5-0. The votes were recorded as: Council member Boykin — yes; Council member McCluskey — yes; Council member Grassi — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Wood — aye; Mayor Javier Figueroa — aye.
Staff said the acquisition would allow the city to reduce neighborhood spillover parking at Kobayashi by concentrating parking on existing paved surfaces adjacent to the preserve, while also preserving roughly an additional acre and a half of creek-adjacent land. Eklund said additional environmental studies and design work will follow and that staff will return to the council with details on specific parking and trail designs.
The council’s action preserves the city’s option to complete required environmental reviews and to design parking and trail work that minimizes tree removal and protects salmon habitat, as requested by public commenters.
The city clerk recorded the motions and the council directed staff to proceed with required next steps, including the budget appropriation necessary to complete the purchase.
