2024 Parks and Open Space Plan
Updated: February 23, 2023
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 algin its acquisition and capital development program with the department’s strategic priorities. Our intention is that this plan will build off of the engagement and strategic planning that Seattle Parks and Recreation has been engaged in since 2019.
Participate
Thanks to everybody who came out and met us at the One Seattle Comprehensive Plan meetings in December and January and to all of those who filled out the survey. We can see that there is a keen interest in the provision of park and recreation opportunities within a half mile of all residents and a desire to increase safety, access and comfort in parks and facilities. This input will inform the goals, policies, and analyses in the plan. There will be more opportunities to provide input on the plan as we work on it throughout 2023. We will make updates to this webpage and reach out via social and other media and through SPR’s email listservs as those opportunities become available. Stay tuned!
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 State grants and funding opportunities.
• Examine Seattle’s demographic and recreation 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 par and recreation infrastructure to achieve identified goals and policies.
What We Know Now
• Seattle’s population has grown by 25% since 2010.
• There is more demand on our parks and recreation system than ever.
• Delivery of excellent service requires a strong, diverse workforce connected to our mission and engaged in decision-making, effective organizational supports, and adequate resources and capacity.
• Consistently adopting advances in technology and process improvements enhances our organizational performance.
• 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 to affordability and livability challenges 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
Adopt final draft: November 2023 - February 2024