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Current Status
This project is going through final design and permitting. Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2010 or early 2011, if funding is available.
In May 2010, neighbors were invited to provide input about the types of playground equipment that may be used in this park. A summary of the comments received is now available:
Click the following links, or scroll down the page, to access additional project information:
Project Description
This 2.4-acre property is located at the end of NE 54th Street, east of NE 49th Avenue in the East Minnehaha neighborhood (map). The undeveloped property is a generally flat and features open meadow with no trees.
The county has determined that half the property (1.2 acres) is wetland, wetland buffer or drainage ditches (map). As a result the county can only develop the remaining 1.2 acres without triggering costly environmental mitigation. This limits how this park may be developed, including the length of trails, the amount of open lawn, and the size of any active play areas. However, it also provided a unique opportunity to highlight the natural features of the park in the design.
The approved conceptual development plan for the park includes:
- Short, soft-surface loop walking trail
- Small playground
- Boardwalk
- Small open lawn play area
- Picnic area with two tables
- Benches
- Landscaping, bike rack, garbage can and signs
- Wetland improvements
The park is named after the late son of the previous property owners. One of the conditions of the property sale requested by the Fisher family was that the park be named in memory of their son.
The park was previously known by a placeholder name, "St. Johns Neighborhood Park."
Why is this park being developed?
This property was originally acquired by Clark County with the intention of developing it as a neighborhood park once funding was available to maintain it. In 2005, voters in the unincorporated urban area of the county approved a ballot measure that created the Greater Clark Parks District. This special taxing district provides maintenance and operations funding for 30 new neighborhood parks, five new community parks, seven miles of new trail and additional youth sports fields. Douglas Carter Fisher Neighborhood Park was one of the 30 neighborhood park properties that were identified as being part of the Greater Clark Parks District during the campaign. It is now being developed as part of this program.
Project Schedule
Spring-late fall 2009: Planning and preliminary design phase; public feedback obtained; preferred concept plan developed.
Late fall 2009: Proposed concept plan presented to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission for approval; planning phase ends; final design and permitting phase begins.
Winter 2009-fall 2010: Design and permitting phase completed.
Late 2010/early 2011: Construction scheduled to begin if funding is available.
Please note that this schedule is approximate and is subject to change.
Public Participation
Project staff rely on public participation to help guide decisions about the park layout during the design process. Your input will:
- Help us understand and respond to the needs and concerns of your neighborhood.
- Help us understand which park features are most important to you and your neighbors.
- Help us learn about the potential for community fundraising and volunteer project to add features to the park.
There will be several opportunities for public input during planning and design. The first opportunity was a comment form that was mailed out to park neighbors in August 2009. This was followed by a public meeting in September 2009, where four different preliminary conceptual development plans were presented for review and input. In November 2009, a the proposed conceptual development plan was mailed out to neighbors for review and additional feedback before it was approved by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission. In May 2010, staff asked neighbors to provide input about the types of playground equipment included in the park.
For regularly updated information about this project, sign up for the project e-mailing list by filling out the electronic form at the bottom of this Web page.
May 2010 public outreach materials:
November 2009 newsletter (1.4 MB PDF)
September 2009 public meeting materials:
August 2009 newsletter and comment form mailing:
Project Funding
Design and construction of Douglas Carter Fisher Neighborhood Park is funded by park impact fees, which are paid whenever a new residential property is developed, and the real estate excise tax, which is paid whenever property is sold.
Maintenance of the park after construction will be funded by the Greater Clark Parks District, a special district approved by voters in the unincorporated urban area of Clark County in 2005.
Contact Information:
Don Andrews, Project Manager
Clark County Public Works
Phone:
(360) 397-6118 ext. 4362
E-mail: Don.Andrews@clark.wa.gov
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