Park Funding Exploratory Committee

The Park Funding Exploratory Committee is a City Council-appointed group of citizens which began meeting in September, 2011 and was asked to consider and make recommendations regarding funding to help meet the capital, maintenance, and operational needs of the City’s park, open space and recreation system. The Committee is comprised of nearly 50 citizens representing a broad array of key community stakeholders and is chaired by City Councilmember Amy Walen.

The first phase of the Committee's process involved gathering and interpreting information about the goals, issues, needs, and priorities of Kirkland’s park, open space and recreation system; directing public outreach strategies such as citizen surveys and focus groups; exploring funding alternatives such as a park bonds and levies; and preparing conclusions and

recommendations for Council consideration.

Some of the major issues the Committee was asked to consider include:

the merits of placing ballot measure(s) to voters in either 2012 or 2013;

the Eastside Rail Corridor;

sustainable funding for Green Kirkland;

community recreation center;

park and open space needs of the newly-annexed neighborhoods;

the future of Finn Hill Park and Recreation District (O.O. Denny Park);

preservation of the historic Kirkland Cannery Building;

the future of the Totem Lake park property.

The City Council will be considering the Committee's recommendation through the middle of 2012. Any ballot measure that would be presented to Kirkland voters for the November General Election would need to be submitted to King County by August 7, 2012.

Committee Recommendation
(pdf)

City Council
Study Session
March 6, 2012
(video link - may be slow to load)

Currently Kirkland
March 9, 2012
video article summarizing Committee's recommendation
(video link - may be slow to load)

For further information please contact Michael Cogle, Deputy Director for Parks and Community Services, at mcogle@kirklandwa.gov or (425) 587-3310.