Port Townsend opens public hearing and gives first reading to updated Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan

The Port Townsend City Council on May 11 opened a public hearing and took the first reading of Ordinance 3365, which would adopt the City of Port Townsend Parks, Recreation and Open Space Functional Plan 2026 by reference into the 2025 comprehensive plan.

Staff noted the adoption by reference is intended to make the plan eligible for Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grants and to extend the plan’s effective life. Senior planner Adrian Smith summarized the public engagement process: multiple open houses, youth events that engaged more than 200 participants, 950 survey responses, 12 stakeholder interviews and workshops with advisory bodies. “We did public engagement primarily in 2025,” Smith said, and described coordination with the comprehensive plan and the city’s active transportation work.

Staff described key updates since 2020: an updated parks inventory and capital improvement plan, a new level‑of‑service target that aims for 90% of residents to be within a 10‑minute walk of a park by 2046, and a restructured plan that moves background materials to appendices to make the functional plan easier to use. Staff also discussed potential regionalization options and the role of partner organizations such as land trusts.

The council closed public testimony for this hearing and a council member moved the ordinance for its first reading. Council scheduled a second reading and a further public hearing on June 1 (or to proceed with a regular agenda second reading, as allowed). Staff said the plan must meet RCO’s Manual 2 mandatory elements to preserve grant eligibility and explained that adopting the plan by reference allows the plan to be used for a full 10 years for grant eligibility.

Next steps: second reading and another public hearing scheduled; staff will respond to any written materials submitted and continue coordination necessary for RCO submittals.