Title
Special Recognition - Proclamation Recognizing July as National Parks, Arts and Recreation Month
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Proclaim July as Parks, Arts, and Recreation Month in the City of Olympia.
Report
Issue:
Whether to proclaim July as Parks, Arts, and Recreation Month in the City of Olympia.
Staff Contact:
Paul Simmons, Director of Parks, Arts, and Recreation, 360.753.8462
Presenter(s):
Paul Simmons, Department of Parks, Arts, and Recreation
Background and Analysis:
July is recognized nationally as Parks and Recreation Month by the National Recreation and Parks Association and this year's theme is "Where You Belong".
With strong support from Olympia voters, we established the Olympia Metropolitan Park District in 2015 and Voted Utility Tax in 2004. These critical funding sources have allowed us to enhance staffing across the department, improve park safety through a dedicated Park Ranger Program, and meet several long-standing land acquisition goals. Our Park system now features 54 properties totaling 1,469 acres, with over 1,191 acres of open space.
These voter-established funding sources provide over $1.1 million annually to invest in the existing park system through our Capital Asset Management Program (CAMP), ADA Facility Upgrades, and Percival Landing Maintenance. This consistent investment is allowing us to essentially rebuild the park system from the inside out, with the replacement of playgrounds, shelters, restrooms, trail bridges, sport courts, backstops, dugouts, and parking lots. We've been able to open new playgrounds, spraygrounds, and 3 new dog parks.
We have some major projects on the horizon, including the development of a new multi-modal trail on the westside at Grass Lake Nature Park, and a new mountain bike park at Kaiser Woods.
We are also very close to developing Phase I of Yelm Highway Community Park, which will include Olympia's ...
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