2024 Parks and Open Space Plan
Updated: October 31, 2023
What is the Parks and Open Space Plan?
Every six years, Seattle Parks and Recreation updates its Parks and Open Space Plan to maintain the City’s eligibility for state grants that will help realize outdoor recreation development and open space acquisition projects. The plan serves as an opportunity for Seattle Parks and Recreation to align its acquisition and capital development program with the department’s strategic and funding priorities. Our intention is that this plan will build off of the engagement and strategic planning that Seattle Parks and Recreation engaged in since 2019.
This Plan Will
• Include goals, policies and actions aligned with Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan for Seattle Parks and Recreation to continue to meet open space and recreation demand on an equitable basis.
• Allow Seattle Parks and Recreation to compete for Washington state Recreation Conservation Office grants and funding opportunities.
• Examine Seattle’s demographic and recreation participation trends.
• Provide an inventory and overview of Seattle Parks and Recreation facilities.
• Recommend capital projects such as play area renovations, new park facilities and other park and recreation infrastructure to achieve the identified goals and policies.
What We Know Now
• Seattle’s population has grown by 25% since 2010.
• There is more demand on the city’s parks and recreation system than ever.
• Transparency and accountability are fundamental principles for good governance and community trust.
• Seattle Parks and Recreation has an important role to play in crafting city-wide solutions for making the city livable which starts with clear commitments to historically underserved communities.
Schedule
Preliminary engagement: November 2022 - January 2023
Targeted engagement, analysis, and drafting: February 2023 - October 2023
Second Public Meeting: November-December 2023
Draft Plan Distribution: November - December 2023
Final Plan Review and City Council Approval: January – February 2024
Community Participation
A second online public meeting will be scheduled for November-December 2023
A series of community distributed, in-person, workshops were held in May and June of 2023