Aubrey Davis Park Master Plan

The Aubrey Davis Master Plan, adopted in 2019, recommends that sections of the park’s forested edge be selectively thinned to improve forest health. Thinning is the term foresters apply to the selective removal of some trees in an area when necessary to give the remaining trees more room and resources to grow. This results in an overall healthier and more resilient tree canopy.

Approximately two acres of forested edge in Aubrey Davis Park – near the westbound I-90 on-ramp and the I-90 trail – are scheduled to be selectively thinned this fall as part of the City’s ongoing vegetation protection work throughout the park. Several trees in this area have died, and others are showing signs of significant decline due to competition for resources. Invasive trees will also be removed, and invasive English ivy will be cut from all trees to keep them healthy. This project also includes planter bed clean-up and landscape replanting.

While much of this work is done to maintain forest health, public safety is another important aspect to forest thinning. Limbing up low branches on trees and thinning dense stands improves visibility into the forest, allowing for improved sight lines for park users. Additionally, reducing the density of dead or declining trees also lowers fire and fall risks.

Trees that are too close together compete for necessary resources, such as water and sunlight. These trees may become stressed by the lack of necessary resources and die, blow over in wind events, or have their growth “stall” and stay at a relatively small size year after year. This is where thinning comes in: selectively removing dead and unhealthy trees from an overcrowded stand (a group of trees) improves the conditions for the remaining trees and allows them to thrive. Light and water are immediately made available, allowing for renewed growth and strong health, and sunlight can hit the forest floor, prompting seed germination – this creates an understory of plants that are beneficial for insects and wildlife, and aid with soil enrichment and development.

If you’d like to learn more about the Aubrey Davis Park Master Plan, visit the full project page here on Let's Talk.

On December 3, the Mercer Island City Council voted unanimously to adopt the Aubrey Davis Park Master Plan. The Master Plan establishes a long-term term vision for the amenities, trails, and open space areas throughout the park.

The plan was developed based on feedback received from numerous public engagement events - from online surveys and public forums to open houses and discussions on the City's Let's Talk website.

Projects established in the Plan will focus on four key areas: vegetation management, trail improvements, park improvements, and arts and place-making.

The Plan enhances the City's eligibility for grant funding for future projects. Mercer Island Parks and Recreation already received a $500,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce for trail safety improvements within the park. The Plan also allows the City to renegotiate long-standing maintenance agreements with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).

Built in 1992, Aubrey Davis Park is one of the great legacies of Mercer Island, and encompasses 90+ acres and a 2.8-mile-long recreation and transportation corridor. Thanks to citizen efforts, the park was established as mitigation for impacts resulting from the reconstruction of Interstate 90. The City recognizes the need to maintain the park's natural character and preserve this beloved community gem.

The City of Mercer Island would like to thank the City Council, Parks and Recreation Commission, Arts Council, State legislators, and, most of all, the many citizens who participated in the planning process over the last 18 months. The feedback and engagement were critical to the successful adoption of the Plan.

See the Aubrey Davis Park Master Plan here.

The revised Draft Master Plan for Aubrey Davis Park is now available and can be viewed here! Comments may continue to be posted on Let’s Talk until the Plan is formally adopted. City Council will consider adopting the revised Draft Master Plan on December 3.

Once adopted, the Aubrey Davis Park Master Plan will provide a long-term community vision for the park and will help guide the work plans, grant requests and future park improvements.

REVISED Draft Master Plan for Aubrey Davis Park

REVISED Draft Master Plan for Aubrey Davis Park Appendices

The Draft Master Plan for Aubrey Davis Park is now available and can be viewed here! Comments may continue to be posted on Let’s Talk until the Plan is formally adopted. City Council will be reviewing this document and providing direction to City staff at the upcoming study session on October 15. City Council will then consider a revised version of the Plan for adoption on November 19.

Once adopted, the Aubrey Davis Park Master Plan will provide a long-term community vision for the park and will help guide the work plans, grant requests and future park improvements.

Click here to view the Draft Aubrey Davis Park Master Plan.

The City of Mercer Island Parks and Recreation Department is leading a master planning process for Aubrey Davis Park, with anticipated adoption by City Council at the end of this year. We are asking for your input on the proposed plan through an Online Open House survey.

Click on the link below for a short presentation of the Draft Master Plan, followed by a 3 question survey. We appreciate your input!

https://arcg.is/0SyKCP

The preliminary draft of the Aubrey Davis Master Plan is now available and contains preferred options and general guidelines for the future of the park. The preliminary draft has been submitted to Mercer Island Community Planning and Development for SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) Review. The SEPA review process identifies and analyzes environmental impacts of the proposed plan and is a state requirement for approval of a master plan.

The SEPA review for the Aubrey Davis Park Draft Master Plan opened on September 9^th and will remain open for 30 days. During this time, environmental impacts will be reviewed, and public comments are welcome. After the review and comment period ends, a determination will be issued. The SEPA determination does have to be issued, and the comment period completed, prior to City Council adoption of the plan.

SEPA review at the program level typically happens simultaneously with ongoing public input and council direction for the Master Plan. This review process allows for minor changes in the Plan to occur (e.g. location of a bathroom) without impacting the SEPA determination. If changes to the Plan are requested that will result in an additional environmental impact, the Plan will be resubmitted and will require an additional 30-day review and comment period.

While the Aubrey Davis master planning process is beginning to wind down, community feedback and involvement in this project is still needed.

Here is a timeline of the upcoming project milestones and opportunities for public involvement:

September 23: Community Open House #3
Join us on September 23^rd for the 3^rd and final Open House from 6-8pm at the Mercer Island Community Center where you can view large scale visuals of the current draft master plan and learn about the Arts & Placemaking Vision for Aubrey Davis Park. There will be a short survey conducted during the Open House, with an online version available for those that are unable to attend.

September 23 - 30: Online Open House Survey
The Online Open House will be available on Let’s Talk from September 23 – 30 to collect community feedback on the draft master plan.

October 9: SEPA Review closed
This is the end of the 30-day review and comment period. After this time, a SEPA determination will be made.

October 15: City Council reviews draft master plan and provides additional feedback

November 19: Final Plan presented to the City Council for proposed adoption

Join us on September 23rd from 6-8pm at the Mercer Island Community & Event Center for the 3rd and final Community Open House for the Aubrey Davis Master Plan. Check out large scale visuals of the draft Master Plan that has been submitted for SEPA review and take a short survey with your feedback. This is a family friendly event! Children are welcome and activities and snacks will be provided. We hope to see you there.

A preliminary draft of the Aubrey Davis Master Plan ) is now available. This version has been submitted to Mercer Island Community Development and Planning for SEPA review. The graphic plan contains preferred options and general guidelines for the future of the park.

City staff surveyed the Mountains to Sound trail to provide a better picture of the actual trail width in various sections of the park. Staff found that the Mountains to Sound Trail averages approximately 12’ wide west of Mercer Island Town Center and approximately 11’ wide east of Town Center to SE 35th Street and North Mercer Way. The trail eastward to the East Channel Bridge averages less than 10’ wide because of various physical constraints. Actual data is included in the report which can be found at the link above or in the project library under Mountains to Sound Trail Data.

Interim City Manager, Jessi Bon, has sent Mercer Island City Council an update on the Aubrey Davis Park Master Plan. This is an overview of where the plan stands and provides a status update of the planning process. The details in this document will be further discussed at the City Council Study Session on July 16th.

Click the link to view the document:

Aubrey Davis Park Master Plan Update to City Council 7.3.19