FAQs
What is a joint park improvements plan?
The joint park improvements plan will balance facility renovations, accessibility upgrades, and the community’s long-term waterfront recreation needs systemwide and ensure Mercer Island’s public waterfronts are strategically and sustainably maintained going forward. Unlike a typical park master plan, this plan will prioritize near- and mid-term capital needs (10-12 years) and include early design of priority capital needs, such as repairing, replacing, and/or removing the in-water structures at both parks.
Why do these parks need an improvements plan?
The 2022 Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan (PROS Plan) identified strong community interest in preserving and upgrading the City’s waterfront areas, which are all more than 50 years old and in need of repair. Improvements at the Luther Burbank Park waterfront are underway now, so it’s time to start planning for Mercer Island’s two other major public waterfronts – Clarke and Groveland Beach Parks. This process will result in a park improvements plan that prioritizes renovations, diversifies waterfront amenities, emphasizes habitat restoration, and identifies funding opportunities to facilitate implementation over the next decade. Reinvestment in waterfront infrastructure is expensive, and early planning and design for some improvements will better position the City to apply for grants and other funding for construction.
Who is leading the planning process?
To plan for the future of these parks, the City engaged The Berger Partnership, a leading landscape architecture and urban design firm that has partnered on many Mercer Island projects. In 2023-2024, Berger completed extensive technical analysis of the parks, including assessing in-water structures, conducting environmental surveys, and evaluating accessibility barriers.
The Parks & Recreation Commission (PRC) and the City Council will use the assessment of existing conditions and the community’s input in the background survey conducted in fall 2024 to scope the planning process. Once the process is approved in 2025, the PRC, City staff, and Berger will guide the joint planning effort.
How can community members participate in the planning process?
A background survey to learn more about how community members currently use Clarke and Groveland Beach Parks is now open. Take it here through October 22. Responses will help shape the joint planning effort that will start in 2025.
The 2025 planning process will include several opportunities for the community to share input for the plan. Public engagement activities will include community surveys, public meetings, and other opportunities throughout the process. Follow along on Let’s Talk for key dates and to learn more about how to share input. Community members can also attend the Parks & Recreation Commission meeting on the first Thursday of each month to stay updated on planning progress.