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Mercer Island staff unveil preferred joint infrastructure plans for Clark and Groveland beaches; commissioners split on volleyball court
Summary
City staff presented preferred plans and planning‑level cost estimates for Clark ($5–7M) and Groveland ($8–10M). The plans prioritize overwater structure repair, shoreline stabilization and improved accessibility; commissioners were split on whether to retain Groveland's sand volleyball court and asked staff to return in May with more survey detail.
City planners presented preferred joint infrastructure plans for Clark Beach and Groveland Beach parks at the March 26 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, laying out options for dock repair, shoreline stabilization, restroom upgrades and improved accessibility while sharing planning‑level construction estimates.
Staff presentation and costs: CIP project manager Sarah Blubas summarized community survey results and preferences gathered in fall engagement and youth outreach. For Groveland, staff reported survey support for dock and pier enhancements and restroom upgrades and noted divided community preferences on the sand volleyball court (32% no preference, 27% remove, 25% improve). Planning‑level construction costs for Groveland were estimated at $8–10 million (the high end includes an optional canopy boardwalk). For Clark Beach, staff reported stronger community preference for accessible routes and two‑pier configurations; planning estimates were $5–7 million. Staff emphasized that these construction figures exclude design, permitting, project management and utility/stormwater allowances.
Accessibility and habitat tradeoffs: Commissioners probed whether removing shoreline hardening (sheet‑pile walls and bulkheads) would reduce sandy beach area and how that affects swim access. Staff said removing bulkheads is likely required for permitting and shoreline habitat improvements; it will likely change where shallow sand beaches can be maintained. "We are not proposing a fully accessible path all the way down to the water at Groveland, and that is primarily given the topography... slopes up to 80%," staff explained (see SEG 1699–1703).
Teen engagement and volleyball court debate: Staff presented targeted youth outreach (middle/high school engagement and a teens‑only survey) that found 56% of teen respondents preferred renovating the Groveland sand volleyball court in place; 53% said they would accept the court being replaced and installed at another park. Commissioners conducted an informal thumbs up/down on specifically adding the sand volleyball court back in its current Groveland location; the commissioners were split. Staff said they will provide full survey results to commissioners ahead of a May meeting focused on this question and then return in June with refined plans.
Permitting, phasing and next steps: Staff warned that in‑water permitting will be multiyear and that implementation will likely be phased. The preferred plans will be refined based on tonight’s feedback; staff will present a focused discussion on the volleyball court in May, then return with a final infrastructure plan for commission review in June with a recommendation to city council and a planned handoff memo in July.
