Chapter 7. Parks and Recreation Element
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Chapter 7. Parks and Recreation Element 7.1. Introduction Parks, recreational facilities, and open space are generally considered beneficial resources and essential contributors to a community’s quality of life. Parks and recreation services are most often provided by federal, State, and local governments. The purpose of this element is to evaluate parks and recreation services in the County and to develop goals and policies that guide management and coordination of parks and recreation facilities, programs and opportunities. The Growth Management Act (GMA) requires that a park and recreation element be consistent with the capital facilities element, and that it estimate local park and recreation demand, evaluate facilities and services needs, and evaluate intergovernmental coordination opportunities (Revised Code of Washington [RCW] 36.70A.070 (8)). 7.1.1. Applicable Growth Management Act Goals GMA planning goals that are applicable to the Parks and Recreation element include the following: Open space and recreation. Retain open space, enhance recreational opportunities, conserve fish and wildlife habitat, increase access to natural resource lands and water, and develop parks and recreation facilities. (RCW 36.70A.020 (9)) Public facilities and services. Ensure that those public facilities and services necessary to support development shall be adequate to serve the development at the time the development is available for occupancy and use without decreasing current service levels below locally established minimum standards. (RCW 36.70A.020 (10)) Historic preservation. Identify and encourage the preservation of lands, sites, and structures that have historical or archaeological significance. (RCW 36.70A.020 (13)) Goals described in the Shoreline Management Act (SMA) also support the Parks and Recreation Element. Walla Walla County Comprehensive Plan 7-1 December 2007 Parks and Recreation Element 7.1.2. Applicable County-Wide Planning Policies County-wide planning policies include provisions regarding recreational land uses and providers of recreational services: Urban Growth Areas (UGAs). - Purpose – 3.0.4. Protect open space, critical areas, and resource lands from encroachment of incompatible uses and densities. - Policies – 3.14. UGAs may provide for the inclusion and protection of greenbelts and open spaces, some of which may be critical areas. Joint City-County Planning within the UGAs. - Policies – 3.8. Conserve resources, both natural and economic. Contiguous and Orderly Development. - Policies – 5.7. The County and the cities should also coordinate the development and implementation of long-range planning between fire protection, police services, schools, air quality, transportation, and parks and recreation facilities. Resource and Critical Lands. - Purpose – 11.0.1. To retain open spaces, recreational opportunities and the rural atmosphere of Walla Walla County. Fiscal Impact - Policies – 13.4. Consideration should be given to the imposition of impact fees to ensure that new development pays its fair share for improvements necessitated by growth and contributes to the overall financing of capital improvements. 7.1.3. Relationship to Vision Statement The Parks and Recreation element helps implement the Walla Walla County Vision Statement by promoting open space and recreation, as follows: Natural Environment: We preserve the health of our natural environment by protecting, rehabilitating, and enhancing our natural areas while supporting sustainable agricultural, residential, and commercial growth. We value the Blue Mountains; the Walla Walla, Touchet, Snake, and Columbia River systems; our watershed areas; wildlife habitat areas; and the open spaces and recreation areas that provide respite. Walla Walla County Comprehensive Plan 7-2 December 2007 Parks and Recreation Element 7.2. Existing Conditions and Relevant Goals and Policies 7.2.1. Inventory of Parks and Recreation Resources The existing parks and recreation sites in the County are outlined in Table 7-1. The inventory of parks and recreation resources is also summarized in Map PR-1. 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 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 Walla Walla County Comprehensive Plan 7-3 December 2007 Parks and Recreation Element Site Location and Name Managing Agency Site Description 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 U.S. Highway 12 to Hood Park. 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 Walla Walla County Comprehensive Plan 7-4 December 2007 Parks and Recreation Element Site Location and Name Managing Agency Site Description 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