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The City of Mercer Island is updating its Comprehensive Plan as part of the periodic review required by the Washington Growth Management Act (GMA). The City Council included creation of a new Parks Zonein the scope of work for the 2024 Comprehensive Plan periodic update. After receiving feedback on the initial draft of the Parks Zone from the Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, and the community, the project was returned to the Parks and Recreation Commission for further input and analysis. The Parks and Recreation Commission provided a recommendation to staff to separate the zoning work into two distinct tracks: one for open space and one for all other park properties.
The Open Space Zone is the first phase of the project to be completed and included in the 2024 Comprehensive Plan periodic update. The Parks and Recreation Commission and the Open Space Conservancy Trust Board provided a joint recommendation on the Open Space Zone development regulations to the Planning Commission in May 2024. The Planning Commission completed the legislative review process related to the Comprehensive Plan periodic update in June 2024, and the code amendment in September 2024. The Comprehensive Plan periodic update and the Open Space Zone code amendment ordinance are anticipated to be adopted by the City Council before the GMA deadline of December 31, 2024.
The Parks Zone is the second phase of the project, which is anticipated to be completed and included in the 2025 Comprehensive Plan annual update. The Parks and Recreation Commission began discussions on the Parks Zone at their October 2024 meeting. It is anticipated that the Parks and Recreation Commission will provide a recommendation on the Parks Zone to the Planning Commission in Q2 2025.
The City of Mercer Island is updating its Comprehensive Plan as part of the periodic review required by the Washington Growth Management Act (GMA). The City Council included creation of a new Parks Zonein the scope of work for the 2024 Comprehensive Plan periodic update. After receiving feedback on the initial draft of the Parks Zone from the Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, and the community, the project was returned to the Parks and Recreation Commission for further input and analysis. The Parks and Recreation Commission provided a recommendation to staff to separate the zoning work into two distinct tracks: one for open space and one for all other park properties.
The Open Space Zone is the first phase of the project to be completed and included in the 2024 Comprehensive Plan periodic update. The Parks and Recreation Commission and the Open Space Conservancy Trust Board provided a joint recommendation on the Open Space Zone development regulations to the Planning Commission in May 2024. The Planning Commission completed the legislative review process related to the Comprehensive Plan periodic update in June 2024, and the code amendment in September 2024. The Comprehensive Plan periodic update and the Open Space Zone code amendment ordinance are anticipated to be adopted by the City Council before the GMA deadline of December 31, 2024.
The Parks Zone is the second phase of the project, which is anticipated to be completed and included in the 2025 Comprehensive Plan annual update. The Parks and Recreation Commission began discussions on the Parks Zone at their October 2024 meeting. It is anticipated that the Parks and Recreation Commission will provide a recommendation on the Parks Zone to the Planning Commission in Q2 2025.
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The Native Plant Park (in Mercerdale Park) is very neglected. It's not even mentioned on the city's website even though there is a MI Native Plant Sign at the Park. The pathway is littered with fallen trees and the pathway is questionable (it needs gravel to show the clear pathway). The plant identification signs have been damaged from trees falling over. With the Farmer's Market starting soon and Riot Games moving in soon, this park needs a facelift and some attention.
DNR
7 months ago
The Pioneer Park informational signs in the NW quadrant need to be replaced. It's good information- but the signs are cracked and there is water damage to all of them.
DNR
7 months ago
Pioneer Park needs signs along the street where it is okay for vehicles to park. The parking spots should have designated gravel or pavement so it is well known the spots are available. Right now there is grass or dirt parking areas and no signage so it is unclear where to legally park.
Also, the Pioneer Park trails need trail signs since there are 6 miles within the 3 quadrants of trails, it gets confusing. The NW quadrant has a few signs in the middle of the park, but that's the only quadrant that has signage. The NE quadrant has a couple of wooden signs, but the SE quadrant has none. It is very hit and miss and I walk the trails frequently and still get confused where I am. "Fern Trail," "Flicker Trail," etc. would make the trails easier to navigate. Trail Maps in the middle of the park with "you are here" would also help in each quadrant. See the Bridle Trail signs in Bellevue as inspiration- each sign has a picture to go with the name. Those signs make it fun and easy to navigate the park- without getting lost!
The Native Plant Park (in Mercerdale Park) is very neglected. It's not even mentioned on the city's website even though there is a MI Native Plant Sign at the Park. The pathway is littered with fallen trees and the pathway is questionable (it needs gravel to show the clear pathway). The plant identification signs have been damaged from trees falling over. With the Farmer's Market starting soon and Riot Games moving in soon, this park needs a facelift and some attention.
The Pioneer Park informational signs in the NW quadrant need to be replaced. It's good information- but the signs are cracked and there is water damage to all of them.
Pioneer Park needs signs along the street where it is okay for vehicles to park. The parking spots should have designated gravel or pavement so it is well known the spots are available. Right now there is grass or dirt parking areas and no signage so it is unclear where to legally park.
Also, the Pioneer Park trails need trail signs since there are 6 miles within the 3 quadrants of trails, it gets confusing. The NW quadrant has a few signs in the middle of the park, but that's the only quadrant that has signage. The NE quadrant has a couple of wooden signs, but the SE quadrant has none. It is very hit and miss and I walk the trails frequently and still get confused where I am. "Fern Trail," "Flicker Trail," etc. would make the trails easier to navigate. Trail Maps in the middle of the park with "you are here" would also help in each quadrant. See the Bridle Trail signs in Bellevue as inspiration- each sign has a picture to go with the name. Those signs make it fun and easy to navigate the park- without getting lost!