Summary of Community Input on Design Concepts

Thank you to all the community members who provided feedback on the draft concepts for Clarke and Groveland Beach Parks! This post summarizes the process and feedback received, which informed the development of preferred plans for each park. Learn more about the preferred plans here.

Overview of Engagement Process

From October to December 2025, the project team conducted in-person and virtual engagement to collect community input on three design alternatives for both Clarke and Groveland Beach Parks. Each concept generally represented a different level of investment in park features, with individual elements designed to be interchangeable. For example, a dock configuration from one Clarke Beach concept and a picnic area design from another could be combined in the preferred concept for the infrastructure plan. Community members were encouraged to “mix and match” their preferred elements as they participated in outreach opportunities.

Methods of engagement included:

• “Virtual Open House” presentations
• Digital concept boards
• Online survey that received 180 total responses
• Project booths at the Mercer Island Chinese Association’s Mid-Autumn Festival and the City’s Town Center Trick-or-Treat events
• Direct outreach to park neighbors

Key Themes from the Community

The following key themes emerged during this engagement process.

Clarke Beach Park

• Strong support for accessibility overall
• Preference for a combination of grass areas, tiered seating, and natural features at the waterfront
• Strong preference for two pier structures (either repaired or replaced) over a single pier
• Support for amenities (picnic areas, benches, etc.) that facilitate individual rather than group experiences
• Overall, improving dock/pier amenities is most important for the infrastructure plan for Clarke Beach, while providing new play opportunities is least important.

Groveland Beach Park

• Preference for grass seating areas and picnic pockets at the waterfront
• Strong support for a new floating dock with an expanded platform and/or detached floating dock
• Preference for upgrades to the play area in the existing location, including adding seating
• Interest in a boardwalk and/or viewing deck, but priority should be given to making improvements at the waterfront and to the current play area first
• Overall, improving dock/pier amenities is most important for the infrastructure plan for Groveland Beach, while improving play opportunities and enhancing accessible pathways are least important.

A detailed summary of this engagement process can be found here.

Additional Engagement with Mercer Island Youth & Teens

At the October 20, 2025, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, the Commission recommended that staff conduct additional outreach with Mercer Island youth and teens to learn more about their preferences for recreational amenities at Groveland Beach. Staff conducted the following outreach:

• Met with Islander Middle School students on December 11, 2025, and with Mercer Island High School students on March 3, 2026, to collect input on the existing sand volleyball court and opportunities for hangout space and activities at Groveland Beach
• Launched a teens-only online survey to solicit more feedback (125 responses as of March 19, 2026)
• Joined the Breakfast on the Bridge broadcast on March 17 to discuss the project and promote the teens-only online survey

During the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on March 26, staff will share the results of this outreach and seek further input from the Commission to refine a youth/teen-centric space for the preferred plan for Groveland Beach.

Next Steps

The Parks and Recreation Commission begins their review of the preferred plan for each park on March 26. Details for joining the meeting are available here. This planning process is expected to conclude by the end of the year, and updates will continue to be shared here on Let’s Talk.