Chapter 7. Parks and Recreation Element
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1 Chapter 7. Parks and Recreation Element 2 7.1. Introduction 3 Parks, recreational facilities, and open space are generally considered beneficial resources and 4 essential contributors to a community’s quality of life. Located within the County are a number 5 of different types of parks and recreational facilities. 6 The County has not traditionally served as a provider of park and recreation facilities. Local 7 cities, private agencies, federal agencies, and schools have an established history of furnishing 8 these services. 9 The purpose of this element is to evaluate parks and recreation facilities in the County and to 10 develop goals and policies that guide management and coordination of them. 11 7.1.1. Applicable Growth Management Act Goals 12 GMA planning goals that are applicable to the Parks and Recreation Element include the 13 following: 14 . Open space and recreation. Retain open space, enhance recreational opportunities, conserve 15 fish and wildlife habitat, increase access to natural resource lands and water, and develop 16 parks and recreation facilities (Revised Code of Washington [RCW] 36.70A.020(9)). 17 . Public facilities and services. Ensure that those public facilities and services necessary to 18 support development shall be adequate to serve the development at the time the development 19 is available for occupancy and use without decreasing current service levels below locally 20 established minimum standards (RCW 36.70A.020(12)). 21 . Historic preservation. Identify and encourage the preservation of lands, sites, and structures 22 that have historical or archaeological significance (RCW 36.70A.020(13)). 23 Goals described in the Shoreline Management Act (SMA) also support the Parks and Recreation 24 Element. Walla Walla County Comprehensive Plan 7-1 April 2018 Parks and Recreation Element 25 7.1.2. Applicable Countywide Planning Policies 26 Countywide planning policies include provisions regarding recreational land uses and providers 27 of recreational services: 28 3.14 UGAs may provide for the inclusion and protection of greenbelts and open spaces, some 29 of which may be critical areas. 30 5.7 The County and the cities should also coordinate the development and implementation of 31 long-range planning between fire protection, police services, schools, air quality, 32 transportation, and parks and recreation facilities. 33 13.4 Consideration should be given to the imposition of impact fees to ensure that new 34 development pays its fair share for improvements necessitated by growth and contributes 35 to the overall financing of capital improvements. 36 7.1.3. Relationship to Vision Statement 37 The Parks and Recreation Element helps implement the Walla Walla County Vision Statement by 38 promoting open space and recreation, as follows: 39 . Natural Environment: We preserve the health of our natural environment by protecting, 40 rehabilitating, and enhancing our natural areas while supporting sustainable agricultural, 41 residential, and commercial growth. We value the Blue Mountains; the Walla Walla, 42 Touchet, Snake, and Columbia River systems; our watershed areas; wildlife habitat areas; and 43 the open spaces and recreation areas that provide respite. 44 7.2. Existing Conditions and Relevant Goals and Policies 45 7.2.1. Inventory of Parks and Recreation Resources 46 The existing parks and recreation sites in the County are outlined in Table 7-1. The inventory of 47 parks and recreation resources is also summarized in Map PR-1. 48 Table 7-1. Summary of Parks and Recreation Sites Site Location and Name Managing Agency Site Description Unincorporated Walla Walla County Whitman Mission National Historic National Park Service 98-acre conservancy site with visitor center, Site historic sites, and trails Lewis and Clark National Historic National Park Service Historic route conservancy site Trail Wallula Gap National Natural National Park Service 1,000-acre conservancy area Landmark Walla Walla County Comprehensive Plan 7-2 April 2018 Parks and Recreation Element Site Location and Name Managing Agency Site Description Ayer Boat Basin US Army Corps of Engineers, Walla 170-acre regional park with primitive camp sites Walla District and boat launch Charbonneau Park US Army Corps of Engineers, Walla 244-acre regional park with 54 camp sites, Walla District marina, and shower/restrooms Fishhook Park US Army Corps of Engineers, Walla 46-acre regional park with 61 camp sites and Walla District shower/restrooms Hollebeck US Army Corps of Engineers, Walla 247-acre conservancy site, day-use only Walla District Hood Park US Army Corps of Engineers, Walla 99-acre regional park with 69 camp sites, Walla District shower/restrooms, playground and trails Ice Harbor Dam US Army Corps of Engineers, Walla 262-acre special use area with visitor center Walla District and fish ladder Lower Monumental Dam and Lock US Army Corps of Engineers, Walla 210-acre special use area (visitor center Walla District closed) Madame Dorian Memorial Park US Army Corps of Engineers, Walla 46-acre regional park with primitive camp sites Walla District Matthews US Army Corps of Engineers, Walla 48-acre conservancy site with primitive camp Walla District sites and boat launch McNary National Wildlife Refuge US Fish & Wildlife Service 3,030-acre conservancy site, day-use, hunting per US Fish & Wildlife Service and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations Mill Creek/Bennington Lake US Army Corps of Engineers, Walla 612-acre regional park with lake, boat launch, Recreational Area Walla District and trails Peninsula Habitat Management Unit US Fish & Wildlife Service 880-acre conservancy site, day-use, hunting per US Fish & Wildlife Service and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations Rooks Park US Army Corps of Engineers, Walla 23-acre regional park (part of Bennington Lake Walla District Recreation Area) with playground and volleyball pit Two-Rivers Habitat Management Unit US Fish & Wildlife Service 500-acre conservancy site, day-use, hunting per US Fish & Wildlife Service and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations Walker Habitat Management Unit US Army Corps of Engineers, Walla 117-acre conservancy site with primitive camp Walla District sites Wallula Habitat Management Unit US Fish & Wildlife Service 1,896-acre conservancy site, day-use, hunting per US Fish & Wildlife Service and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations Wallula Community Park Wallula Community 8-acre neighborhood park with playground Wallula Gap National Natural Walla Walla County/National Park 218-acre conservancy site with interpretive sign Landmark - Twin Sisters Area Service about unique terrain Community trail and bike path: Washington State Department of Community trail and bike path that runs Burbank Area Transportation underneath the Snake River Bridge from the west side of US Highway 12 to Hood Park Walla Walla County Comprehensive Plan 7-3 April 2018 Parks and Recreation Element Site Location and Name Managing Agency Site Description City Facilities Pioneer Park City of Walla Walla 58-acre community park with sports fields, tennis courts, playground and natural environment Fort Walla Walla City of Walla Walla 208-acre community park with various sports facilities, lighted sports fields, skate park and museum Mill Creek Sportsplex City of Walla Walla 50-acre community park with sports fields Borleske Stadium City of Walla Walla 10-acre community park with lighted sports fields and grandstand Eastgate Lions Park City of Walla Walla 12-acre neighborhood park with sports fields, basketball court and playground Howard-Tietan Park City of Walla Walla 19-acre neighborhood park with sport fields and playground Jefferson Park City of Walla Walla 8-acre neighborhood park with swimming pool, youth fishing and playground Memorial Pool/Park City of Walla Walla 8-acre neighborhood park with a 50-meter swimming pool and playground Menlo Park City of Walla Walla 2-acre neighborhood park with tennis courts and playground Vista Terrace Park City of Walla Walla 7-acre neighborhood park with tennis courts and playground Washington Park City of Walla Walla 12-acre neighborhood park with sports fields, basketball courts, and playground Wildwood Park City of Walla Walla 7-acre neighborhood park with sports field, basketball court and playground Heritage Square City of Walla Walla Mini-park (less than 1 acre) with shelter, restrooms and play equipment Crawford Park City of Walla Walla Mini-park (less than 1 acre) with benches and small stage Xeriscape Park City of Walla Walla Mini-park (less than 1 acre) with benches and demonstration garden Veterans’ Memorial Golf Course City of Walla Walla 121-acre special use area with public 18-hole golf course and related facilities Kiwanis Park City of College Place 8-acre neighborhood park with sports fields and tennis courts Lions Park City of College Place 9-acre neighborhood park with sports fields, fishing area and community center Harvest Meadows Park City of College Place 0.5-acre neighborhood park for new subdivision Preston Park City of Waitsburg 2-acre neighborhood park with swimming pool and playground Open Space City of Waitsburg 14-acres of conservancy sites Walla Walla County Comprehensive Plan 7-4 April 2018 Parks and Recreation Element Site Location and Name Managing Agency Site Description Fieldview Park and Regional Pool City of Prescott 2-acre community park with swimming pool 49 Sources: National Park Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Walla Walla District, Walla