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Liberty Lake parks plan nears finish as commission approves 20‑year capital facilities plan with larger near‑term art budget
Summary
The Parks and Arts Commission received a near‑final parks and recreation master plan and approved a 20‑year capital facilities plan, adjusting the first five‑year public‑art allocation to $130,000; staff will pursue RCO certification and present the plan to the planning commission and city council in March and April.
The City of Liberty Lake Parks and Arts Commission on March 2 received a near‑final update on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and voted to advance a 20‑year capital facilities plan with adjusted near‑term public‑art funding.
Consultant Jen Camp told commissioners the outreach and engagement phase is complete and that staff drafted a capital improvement project (CIP) table and maps identifying project locations, probable costs and potential funding sources. Camp said the team is seeking Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) certification to preserve future eligibility for RCO grants and plans to present the plan to the planning commission on March 11 and to city council on April 21.
Why it matters: the master plan and its CIP will guide park investments and inform the comprehensive plan’s capital facilities element. Camp said the project list includes short‑, mid‑ and long‑term items, and staff has prepared an executive summary to communicate priorities to the public and partners.
The commission discussed results from a two‑week online ‘‘point‑voting’’ engagement tool that received 402 contributions. Camp said that tool did not replace the broader outreach completed over the previous year but helped prioritize which projects residents would like funded first. The top five priorities reported were a feasibility study for a community pool, Pavilion Park playground renovation, a playground shade structure at Orchard Park, Pavilion Park splash‑pad updates and a tree‑canopy project at Orchard Park.
Commissioners asked several clarifying questions. Commissioner Katie Ferris questioned a proposed community garden at Orchard Park, noting a large volunteer farm across the street; staff said the garden item appeared in the CIP because community participants requested it and that the CIP is still a draft that can be edited. Commissioners pushed to ensure protected bike‑lane improvements are pursued as an ongoing public‑works priority rather than indefinitely deferred as an aspirational item in the parks plan; staff clarified that street bike‑lane protection is managed through the city’s capital plan and public works rather than the parks interior projects.
On the 20‑year capital facilities plan (parks and public art), staff presented spreadsheets that list recommended projects in three time horizons and reminded commissioners the values shown are in today’s dollars. Commissioners discussed the allocation approach for public art funding and whether the first five‑year funding level should be increased to better match anticipated project costs. After debate about feasibility and execution capacity, the commission agreed to raise the first five‑year capital/art allocation to $130,000 and to keep the remaining horizons at their drafted levels.
A motion to approve the 20‑year capital facilities plan with adjustments to 2027–2031 was moved by Commissioner Laura Frank, seconded by Commissioner David Heimbach and passed unanimously. Staff will incorporate the edits and return to the commission with a final recommendation before forwarding to city council.
What’s next: planning commission review on March 11, a council presentation April 21 and a final commission review in early April before formal adoption by reference into the city comprehensive plan.
