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Mercer Island Open Space Trust approves 2025 annual report and 2026 draft work plan
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Summary
The Open Space Conservancy Trust approved its 2025 annual report and a 2026 draft work plan, noting progress on invasive-plant removal, volunteer engagement and restoration benchmarks tied to the 2022 parks levy.
The Open Space Conservancy Trust on Feb. 12 approved its 2025 annual report and a 2026 draft work plan that outline restoration targets, volunteer accomplishments and outreach plans for e-bike policy changes.
Natural resources program manager Lizzie Stone told trustees the trust and contractors worked on 34.5 acres of trust property in 2025, with contractors handling roughly 33.5 of those acres in Pioneer Park and Engstrom Open Space and volunteers contributing substantial support. "In 2025, we worked on 34.5 acres of trust property," Stone said.
The report highlighted invasive-plant removal as a multi-year cycle: contractors perform comprehensive removal in the first three years and return for maintenance every four to five years. Stone said the trust enrolled 5.8 new acres in 2025 toward a 6.5-acre annual benchmark established by the 2022 parks levy, and recorded 11 acres of second-year removal and 10.5 acres of third-year removal completed by contractors and volunteers.
Trust staff reported robust volunteer engagement in 2025: 21 organized volunteer events, 13 educational events, 328 volunteers contributing 644 total volunteer hours, removal of 24,008 square feet of ivy from the forest floor, and planting of 473 trees and shrubs. Stone summarized outreach programs including a letterboxing activity and leash-policy education; staff said the Mercer Island Police Department received two off-leash complaints in 2025, one report of a dog injured by an e-bike and one dog-on-dog incident.
Council Liaison Lisa Andrew and Trustee Jerry Poor asked for more comparative data about complaints and for staff to provide average person-hours to clear an acre; Stone said staff have the data and will follow up by email. Sam Harb, parks operations manager, previewed the 2026 work plan, which includes continued quadrant reports, an April trails work-plan update, restoration updates and a spring–summer public engagement process on e-bike policy.
Trustee Thomas Hildebrandt moved to approve the annual report and work plan; Council Liaison Lisa Andrew seconded. City staff conducted a roll-call vote and the chair announced, "The motion passes." The trust did not adopt new policy at the meeting; the approved work plan will be forwarded to the city council for its March review.
Trust members also asked staff to correct a missing name in the minutes from a previous meeting and to circulate additional details on staffing effort metrics when available. The trust’s next regular meeting is scheduled for April 16, 2026.
