Preferred Plans for Clarke and Groveland Beaches Now Available!

The preferred plans for Clarke and Groveland Beach Parks are now available! Each plan reflects input received during the community engagement process, feedback from the Parks and Recreation Commission, considerations of site constraints, and City staff input. On March 26, staff will present the results of the engagement process and provide an overview of the preferred plans to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Details for joining the Commission meeting virtually or in-person are available here.

This post provides a summary of the preferred plan drafts that will be discussed on March 26 and highlights next steps for the process to develop the Joint Infrastructure Plan for Clarke and Groveland Beach Parks. For an overview of the community input on the design alternatives, check out this post.

Clarke Beach Park Preferred Plan

View the preferred plan for Clarke Beach here. Plan features include:

• Waterfront Amenities: The preferred plan removes the concrete bulkheads to support shoreline restoration and replaces them with gradual beach transitions, a gravel mix for fish habitat, and natural beach elements such as logs, boulders, and plantings. The enclosed swim area, including the sheet pile wall, would be removed and replaced with a rope-delineated swim area to maintain informal swimming opportunities at Clarke Beach. A flat grass area near the existing picnic area, along with concrete seat steps, provides additional space for lounging. The restroom would be replaced with a gender-neutral facility.
• Pier Configuration: Both existing piers would be restored in their current configuration. Shoreline vegetation between the piers would be enhanced, and the trail leading to the smaller pier at the south end of the park would be improved.
• Upland Improvements: The preferred plan maintains and renovates the existing picnic area as well as improves existing pedestrian connections to East Mercer Way.
• ADA Accessibility: An ADA-accessible path would connect the parking lot to the waterfront. Existing ADA parking stalls would be improved and expanded.

Groveland Beach Park Preferred Plan

View the preferred plan for Groveland Beach here. Plan features include:

• Waterfront Amenities: The preferred plan removes the concrete bulkhead and replaces it with a gradual transition from sand beach to gravel mix to support fish habitat while maintaining the sandy swim beach. A wide grass terrace with oversized seat steps offers additional space for lounging, and new paths provide accessible routes from the restroom to the dock and the beach. The restroom would be updated and/or replaced with a gender-neutral stall facility.
• Dock Configuration: The existing swim dock will be replaced with a new pier structure that includes a floating swim dock, a fixed pier platform with a diving board and hammock, and two gangway connectors.
• Upland Improvements: The preferred plan replaces the existing playground with a nature-inspired play area for ages 2-12+. Improvements to the trail and stairs at the south end of the parking lot enhance access to the beach. The preferred plan also identifies a future opportunity for an ADA-accessible boardwalk extending from the north end of the parking lot to a new overlook seating area and connection to the play area.
• Teen Hangout Space: A designated teen hangout space is identified on the beach that would be refined with Mercer Island youth/teens during future design efforts.

Next Steps for the Planning Process

On March 26, staff will seek the Parks and Recreation Commission’s feedback on the preferred plans to inform their refinement into the final infrastructure plan. Staff will present the final infrastructure plan to the Commission for review at the June 4, 2026, Regular Meeting, at which time the Commission will be asked to provide a recommendation to City Council for adoption of the Joint Infrastructure Plan for Clarke and Groveland Beach Parks. The final plan will include the preferred concepts and cost estimates for each park that will be further developed and implemented as resources allow. This planning effort is expected to conclude by the end of the year. Continue to follow along with this process here on Let’s Talk!