Kitsap County Completing Updates to the
Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan

(Port Orchard, WA) - Over the past two years, the Kitsap County Parks and Recreation Department has worked with local stewardship and community groups as well as other stakeholders furthering the goals and policies of the Kitsap County’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan. These discussions have yielded great progress and proposed amendments to include in the 2012 Plan update.

Public participation in the plan update included many meetings with multiple dedicated stewardship committees and community members as part of the public outreach campaign to ensure that park projects are carried forward with the vision of the 2006 PROS Plan. Stewardship committees including the Newberry Hill Heritage Park, Hansville Greenway, North Kitsap Trails Association, Illahee Preserve & Heritage Park, Point No Point Park, Banner Forest, Clear Creek Trails, and North Kitsap Heritage Park have enhanced the park system by building miles of trials, acquiring nearby properties, restoring shoreline habitat and improving park amenities. These committed organizations include representatives from various park user groups and act as a gauge for community needs. From these numerous meetings, the priorities of these groups have remained largely consistent since 2006 with only the projects, existing progress to date and implementation timelines likely needing update.

Kitsap County will adopt the updated plan by April 1, 2012. Multiple opportunities are available for additional public comment on the update. The schedule for remainder of the consideration process is shown below. Opportunities for public testimony are shown in bold.

• February 10 – Draft PROS Plan Available for Review

• February 15 – Parks Advisory Board Meeting to Review Draft

• February 22 – Parks Advisory Board Public Hearing

• February 29 – Parks Advisory Board – Recommendation

• March 12 – Board of County Commissioners Public Hearing

• March 26 – Board of County Commissioners – Approval of PROS Plan

• April 1 – Submittal to Washington State Recreation and
  Conservation Office

A draft of the updated PROS Plan available will be available for review on February 10th and posted to the county’s website at http://www.kitsapgov.com/parks. Public testimony, either at the public hearings or submitted in writing, is strongly encouraged to help shape the Plan elements. Submit questions and comments by email (parks@co.kitsap.wa.us) or by calling 360.337.5350.