Kennewick PROS Plan
The City of Kennewick, as with its other Tri-Cities neighbors, had been growing steadily with no signs of stopping. In response, they invited SCJ staff to update its parks, recreation, and open space (PROS) plan to help address existing and projected demand, and to retain eligibility for Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grant funding. Kennewick also needed to update its master plan for Columbia Park—one of the city’s signature features—along nearly three miles of Columbia River shoreline on land owned by the Army Corps of Engineers. For this, the City’s needs included evaluating existing features versus community need, helping pave the way for a land transfer with the Army Corps.
Our team combined both projects into one, leading a robust community engagement. In-park planning booths were set up at two local festivals, configured in Spanish and English—helping residents and visitors explore evolving needs and suggest ways the parks system might respond. The approach enabled Columbia Park improvements to be vetted immediately and on-site, with system-wide, PROS-related suggestions also incorporated. The completed plan developed an entirely new system for parks planning and funding—including a new impact fee system to ensure equitable distribution of park facilities across the entire community.
Client Reference:
Terry Walsh
Executive Director
509-585-4242
terry.walsh@ci.kennewick.wa.us
Dates of Involvement: 2017 – 2019
Cost: $75,000