Mercer Island commission backs Dean’s Children’s Park site plan, asks for guardrails on accessibility and forest character

The Mercer Island Parks and Recreation Commission voted Feb. 5 to recommend the Dean’s Children’s Park site plan to the city council after a nearly three‑hour discussion that centered on balancing inclusive design with preserving the park’s natural, woodsy character.

Shelby Perrault, Capital Parks Manager, presented the preferred 'Woodsy Wonders' concept and a 300‑page site plan the city prepared after a year of public engagement. Perrault said the plan is a long‑term, phased vision intended to guide improvements over 10 to 20 years and to position the city for grant and donor funding. "We're here seeking two specific actions from the commission," Perrault told commissioners: a recommendation of the site plan to council and direction for the chair and vice chair to prepare a handoff memo.

The commission’s discussion focused on accessibility and surfacing, tree and understory impacts, equipment age mix and how much the commission should retain oversight during later design phases. Commissioners questioned the choice of gravel for some paths versus concrete, noting maintenance and real‑world accessibility tradeoffs; Perrault replied that "both of those materials are ADA accessible" but that gravel requires more maintenance and has a smaller installation footprint.

Several members urged stronger guardrails. Chair Ashley Hay asked for an assurance that every part of the playground be "easily accessible, not just meeting the requirement of ADA," and that staff minimize impacts on trees and native understory where possible. Staff estimated the full build‑out could require the removal of about eight trees, noting that four of them are in very poor health and that an arborist assessment would inform final decisions.

Public commenter John Hamer, who identified himself as a member of the Mercer Island Rotary and part of an informal "Friends of Dragon Park" coalition, told the commission his group had begun fundraising and "has about $10,000 set aside" to support accessible improvements.

After debate about whether to amend the motion for specific changes or to record those concerns in a handoff memo, Commissioner Rory Westberg moved to recommend the site plan "as presented." A roll‑call recorded Aye votes from Commissioners Strzok, Westberg and Chair Hay and No votes from Commissioners Cohen and Bretman; the chair declared the motion passed.

The commission then passed a second motion directing the chair and vice chair to draft a handoff memo capturing the issues raised — including requests that staff: (1) prioritize access to all play areas and evaluate surfacing choices for ease of use and maintenance; (2) limit the proliferation of "forest surprise" nodes that could compromise a woodsy feel; (3) request an inclusivity report from the consultant at a key design milestone; and (4) return to the commission with 30% design drawings and associated cost estimates for phase 1.

Perrault reiterated that adoption of the site plan does not commit the city to funding all phases and that implementation will rely on a mix of CIP funds, levies, grants and donations. She said Phase 1 work is currently identified in the parks CIP and would begin with levy‑funded playground replacements. Perrault also confirmed staff will perform permitting reviews, a SEPA process and arborist assessments as part of the design phases.

The commission’s recommendation and the handoff memo will be sent to the city council; the commission will review the draft memo at its March 5 meeting.