Title
Yelm Highway Community Park Master Plan Briefing
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee has participated in the master planning process over the last three years and recommend the Council be briefed on the plan.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a briefing on the Yelm Highway Community Park Master Plan.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing on the Yelm Highway Community Park Master Plan and provide feedback.
Staff Contact:
Laura Keehan, Parks Planning & Design Manager, 360.570.5855
Presenter(s):
Laura Keehan, Parks Planning & Design Manager
Background and Analysis:
In late 2018 Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation Department (OPARD) purchased 83 acres located at 3323 Yelm Highway for a future community park. The property is located next to a previously purchased 3.54-acre park parcel also on Yelm Highway.
The park master planning project launched in September 2019 and was delayed in March of 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Shortly thereafter, OPARD was approached by the Olympia School District with a request to consider allowing the School District to utilize a 22-acre portion of the park site for a future secondary school to be constructed in ten years or more. City Council ultimately approved the colocation proposal from the School District in March 2022.
The community identified the acquisition of a large, community park site for soccer fields as a high priority in the 2002, 2010, 2016 and 2022 Parks, Arts and Recreation Plans. In the City's 2014 Community Park Suitability Assessment, the Yelm Highway parcel stood out as the preferred site for a new community park. The Yelm Highway Community Park Master Plan is the culmination of many years of work and incorporates much needed rectangular fields, as well as other high priority and complementary recreational amenities.
Park development will be completed in phases, as funding allows. The first phase is substantial and is an...
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