Provided to the QAM News
The Queen Anne Community Council Parks Committee has released its items to be included in the Seattle Parks 2024 Open Space Plan.
This planning happens every six years and helps guide Parks to the needs of the community. Parks also uses this information to apply for grants from King County, State of Washington, and Federal government dollars for parks. All comments need to be sent to Parks by June 30.
Send comments to Kevin Bergstrud at kevin.bergsrud@seattle.gov
QACC Parks Committee 2024 Open Space Plan
1. Off Leash Areas
Projected increase of dogs 2015-2040 25.9%. As of the 2022 census, Seattle now has more than 153,000 dogs, and few off lease areas. In order to protect our parks, sports fields, and other open areas from damage and overuse by unleashed dogs, more and larger OLAs need to be created along with an increase in enforcement of the rules for dogs in parks as more OLAs come online.
2. P-Patches
As we continue to build denser housing, and reduce the open space in residential areas, the need for people to have a place to put their fingers in the dirt and watch things grow will increase.
3. Pocket Parks
Due to the state mandated increase in lot density one 4,500 sq ft minimum lot per block shall be a park with a single use such as a green space, P-Patch, sports court, or play area. At the very least one lot for each 4 - 6 blocks should be considered to be acquired and set aside for community green space.
4. Trees
More trees planted to make up for the climate devastation due to the loss of trees caused by the increase in per lot density and lack of protection of our trees.
5. Swimming Pools
Increase the number of swimming pools and swimming instructors. We are surrounded by water and need the safe use and instructions provided by pools to increase the use of a healthy exercise and increase the survival rate of people in open water. Also, as climate change increasingly impacts our population, people will look more often for water activities as a way to find cooling activities.
6. Spray Parks
Add more spray parks throughout the city, again in response to the need for more cooling options for residents and to provide recreation for kids and adults alike.
7. Sports Fields
Add additional high quality grass sports fields for youth to prevent the types of injuries that occur on artificial turf and to mitigate the difference of hours of use available when artificial turf is not being used.
8. Complete Smith Cove Park
Complete Smith Cove Park by fully implementing the community development plan for the east side of the park. This park will provide open space, small personal watercraft access to water, and play areas. This will help to mitigate the loss of yards, gardens, and trees due to the 85% lot coverage allowed by the City of Seattle.
9. Acquire More Parks and Open Spaces
Greater additions and preservation of Parks with open spaces with trails and access to water. There are many ways to accomplish this, such as the following:
9A. Purchase residential lots throughout the city so that small parks spaces can be located to serve immediate communities. As density increases having these small parks available as children’s playgrounds, simple places to gather with benches and plantings, and outdoor activity spaces for seniors can all be near to everyone. Parks do not need to be big, and locations smaller spaces throughout neighborhoods provides better access for everyone within walking distance.
9B. Establish a program for Parks acquisition of existing homes belonging to those age 65+, that allows the resident to receive fair payment for their homes, they can continue living in the home until their death or until they are no longer able to do so, and the property then reverts to ownership by the Parks Department.
9C. Provide generous tax incentives to homeowners, and possibly commercial property owners to donate their property to the City. If the taxes on a $1 million home are $10,500, waiving taxes for a period of years can be very beneficial to seniors and other certain homeowners.
9D. Some programs already exist in King County, but there is very little communication to the general public about them. Expand promotion of these and other new programs. And, it's important to make sure that funds generated by donations or tax credits to Seattle residents go directly toward the acquisition of parks and open space properties in Seattle, and preferably in the community where the original property exists.
9E. Actively increase the development of street ends as parks spaces, and engage community in the process so these spaces have a true community feel.