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Duvall parks commission outlines work plan, to press King County for more investment at Duvall Park
Summary
At its July 6 meeting the Duvall Parks Advisory Commission reviewed a draft work plan that prioritizes revitalizing existing parks, improving trail connections and preparing community outreach to press King County for greater investment at Duvall Park; staff said the countyenvironmental assessment (2021) constrains some options but staff see additional, low-impact opportunities.
The Duvall Parks Advisory Commission on July 6 reviewed a draft work plan that prioritizes revitalizing existing parks, improving trail connections and launching community outreach to push King County for greater investment at Duvall Park.
Staff member presenting the plan told commissioners the cityhas not had a substantive conversation with King County about recent land acquisitions: "In fact, they didn't tell us that they bought the property," the staff member said, describing how the county's 2021 environmental assessment limits what the county has proposed for the site.
Commissioners and staff debated what the community should ask King County to provide. Several members noted the trail segment from Highway 203 to Duvall is underprogrammed compared with adjacent sections, and urged the commission to request improved trailheads, signage and parking so residents and visitors can safely access the Snoqualmie Valley Trail network. "It's largely left unprogrammed and barely invested in," one committee member said of the 203-to-Duvall segment.
Staff and presenters also discussed funding options and timing: the city recently received a county council member grant from Sarah Perry to stabilize a bank at McCormick Park (amount not specified), the city has FEMA grant work underway, and staff recommended preparing an agenda item on development impact fees and the timeline for state grant cycles (typically open January–March). Staff said a parks levy remains an option but would require commission input to scope projects for a future ballot.
On outreach, commissioners favored a "touch-and-feel" community event at Duvall Park so residents can see wetlands and buffers in person, rather than relying solely on an online survey. Staff proposed using existing community events (for example, a sunflower festival) or a targeted weekend activation at Big Rock Park (food trucks, small music programming) to gather input and build support. "We need to have the community tell King County what they would value in that park," the staff member said.
Presenters offered a near-term inventory of city parks: small assets such as the 278 Sports Court (a repurposed stormwater vault) need routine maintenance and signage, while community parks such as Big Rock and McCormick have both maintenance and capital needs. Presenter noted the city completed an ADA transition inventory (posted 2026-06-08) and recommended a future agenda item to assess ADA gaps and prioritize low-cost fixes.
What happens next: staff said they will prepare a draft outreach strategy and a grant/timing package for the commission to review at its August meeting, and will include a recommended approach to engage King County Parks with community feedback. The commission did not take a formal vote to adopt a county-facing position at the July meeting; staff framed the next step as returning to the group with an outreach plan and prioritized projects for a future budget request.
