Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing Purchase of a Conservation Easement Owned by the Olympia Coalition for Ecosystem Preservation located near Cooper Point RD
NW and 20th Ave NW
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee at their September 2022 meeting passed a motion recommending support for the City to purchase a conservation easement on the property adjacent to Cooper Crest Open Space Park owned by Olympia Coalition for Ecosystem Preservation (OCEP).
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution authorizing purchase of a conservation easement owned by the Olympia Coalition for Ecosystem Preservation located near Cooper Point RD
NW and 20th Ave NW.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution authorizing purchase of a conservation easement owned by the Olympia Coalition for Ecosystem Preservation located near Cooper Point RD NW and 20th Ave NW.
Staff Contact:
Paul Simmons, Director, Parks, Arts & Recreation, 360.753.8462
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
In 2013, the City acquired 13.37 acres of property to the east of the Cooper Crest subdivision for an open space park. The property contains steep slopes, a portion of a tributary to Green Cove Creek and a short nature trail.
In the summer of 2022, property to the east of the park was logged and subsequently sold to Olympia Coalition for Ecosystem Preservation (OCEP). OCEP is a local, community-based urban conservation land trust. OCEP approached the City in August 2022 with a request for Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation (OPARD) to purchase a conservation easement on the 17.4-acre property (Parcel 74202800000) that abuts the Cooper Crest Open Space Park. Funds from the conservation easement purchase will be used by OCEP to restore the forest and trails on the property. The property will be open to the public for trail use.
OPARD has a history of partnering with OCEP at the West Bay Woods...
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