January 2022
Dear Friends, Neighbors and Supporters,
Thank you for your continued support of the Concerned Citizens for MI Parks (CCMIP) this past year. Our collective efforts to preserve and protect Mercer Island parks and open spaces demonstrated once again that we are stronger together!
This letter is a recap of our accomplishments in 2021 and a preview of what lies ahead for 2022 and beyond.
First, our mission is ….…
Aiding the Preservation of Parks on Mercer Island
Contributing to the Maintenance & Clean Up of Parks on Mercer Island
Promoting a Conservancy for Mercer Island Parks
A Recap of 2021 …….
2021 was a unique year as the City, along with the community began to recover from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic. As we began to live with a “new normal,” the many and valuable benefits that parks and open spaces have for our community were accentuated in many ways!
I. A Voter’s Guide for the November 2021 City Council Election
Once again CCMIP asked candidates for their views on parks. Four of the six candidates provided their views on important park issues (see http://protectmiparks.org/2021votersguide for our questions and their responses).
As an organization with an education and advocacy focus, we strongly believe that candidates and elected officials be put “on the record” with regard to their principles and priorities as they relate to park issues.
II. Continued Maintenance of the Native Plant Garden
CCMIP supporters and other volunteers have spent numerous hours maintaining the Native Plant Garden in Mercerdale Park. Activities include watering in the summer, collecting garbage and debris, notifying the City of vandalism, and alerting the City to safety issues such as downed trees blocking pathways. In addition, each month flyers announcing the “Plant of the Month” and the “Bird of the Month,” to educate park visitors about native species, are placed at the entrance to the Garden.
In the Fall of 2021, someone pried the Native Plant Garden sign from its moorings and proceeded to dismantle and remove it. After we reported the missing sign to the Mercer Island police, officers combed the area. They did find pieces of the sign on the Mercerdale Hillside open space. No one has been apprehended yet.
We are happy to report that the City promptly replaced the stolen Native Plant Garden sign.
III. 6-year Strategic Planning Effort Well Underway
Mercer Island, like most communities, employs a comprehensive planning tool – The Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) plan -- to guide the City’s investment in its parks and recreation system.
During 2021, the Parks & Recreation Commission met several times to discuss and shape the plan. CCMIP was very engaged in the process and provided input to the Commission through written commentary and oral arguments.
One objective included in the plan is to provide greater protection for the parks. CCMIP fully intends to press for this whenever possible.
The PROS plan includes a plan for six-year capital improvement projects that totals an investment of $41 million, if all projects are funded and completed. Several major items include:
1. the Luther Burbank Docks project (see below)
2. major work at the Groveland and Clarke beach areas, and
3. improvements and replacement of facilities at several playgrounds and other parks.
We expect that the City Council will review the plan for approval in early 2022.
Of note, CCMIP proposed adding a new capital project to the 20-year Capital Facilities Plan: reclamation of about one-half of the existing Recycling Center parking area, and returning this area to a more natural state. This project was unanimously approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission in November and it will be part of the upcoming Mercerdale Park Master Plan discussion.
Also, CCMIP petitioned the City to remove the surplus semi-tractor trailer that was parked in that Recycling Center parking area. The trailer was a visual eyesore and there was no valid reason for it to remain parked there. We thanked the City for their swift action to have the trailer removed.
IV. Parks Protection
CCMIP has been a long-standing proponent that our parks and open spaces need more protection from unwanted development. A model of this effort is the Open Space Conservancy Trust that was created in 1993, and that Trust was deeded the ownership of Pioneer Park. The Trust is managed by a separate board (appointed by the City Council).
At the January 2020 City Council planning session the Council voted to delegate the issue of identifying how to better protect ALL of our parks and open spaces to the newly formed Parks & Recreation Commission, and to use the PROS planning process as the vehicle to accomplish it.
We plan in 2022 to advocate strongly that the Commission give this idea some “legs,” rather than just talk about it, AND to formulate, with citizen and CCMIP input, a strategy and plan of action.
V. City Property Purchases
In 2021, the City purchased, or agreed to purchase, two land parcels.
First, a single-family residential lot at the southeast corner of Island Crest Way & SE 40th Street was purchased, principally for safety reasons related to that busy intersection. Other than demolition of the existing structure and some minimal landscaping, there are no specific plans for this area. Some citizens envision development of a mini-park that would sit directly across the street (SE 40th) from the existing Clise Park open space.
Second, the City has entered into a purchase agreement with the State of WA to buy a parcel of land (referred to as A-2) adjacent to the City-owned Tully’s lot. There have been several ideas put forth on how to re-develop the property. Foremost is some amount of commuter parking to support the new, adjacent light rail station. That use has the additional benefit of allowing the City to recoup 49% of its land acquisition and development costs (estimated to be $1 million or more).
What’s Ahead for 2022?
I. Luther Burbank Park Docks Restoration Project
The City’s single largest dock and accompanying plaza area in Luther Burbank Park is scheduled to be reconfigured, updated and repaired. In 2021, the City approved a design concept, and the Parks & Recreation Commission has worked with City staff and design experts to produce a 30% design which will be submitted to the City Council for approval.
Based on community input, and supported by CCMIP, the 30% design includes a reduced impervious surface footprint, a better aquatic habitat, and the replacement of several mature trees with native species.
The timeline suggests construction beginning in 2023-24.
II. Re-start of Parks & Recreation Activities
The City has begun to re-open recreational facilities and will look to provide more classes and activities in 2022. Park maintenance has been in a “catch-up” mode, and we expect further progress in 2022. CCMIP will be especially observant with respect to the intensity of use of our parkland, to determine if post-COVID behavior has any deleterious impacts on our parks and open spaces and, if so, to work to determine how our parks and open spaces can be better preserved under the changed circumstances.
III. Upcoming Parks Levy to be on the Ballot
The current 15-yr Parks levy was approved by voters in November 2008. The levy funds maintenance and operational needs for parkland. It currently collects about $975,000 in property taxes each year. The final year of appropriation is 2023 (with payment in 2024). We expect that the City will begin in 2022 to socialize the need for a replacement levy. In addition, the City may request additional funds for capital projects from residents.
IV. Bike Skills area in Upper Luther Burbank Park (aka Snake Hill)
The Friends of Luther Burbank Park have been active in alerting the City and the community to a situation in the Upper Luther Burbank open space area. A small portion of that land was designated years ago by the City as a BMX bike course. More recently, users have expanded the area without City permission so mountain bikes could use the area. The Friends have pointed out the ecological damage to the area, as well as safety concerns. In response, the City closed the area in September 2021 and put in a six-month pause to more thoroughly evaluate the area.
In November, a consultant reported his preliminary assessment, and the City is reviewing those suggestions before presenting a plan to the City Council. At this juncture, CCMIP has been supportive of the issues that the Friends have raised. We will continue to monitor the situation.
Thank you for your continued support. As we have demonstrated many times, concerned citizens that let their voices be heard are a powerful force to preserve and protect our parks.
We are always looking for more supporters, so please visit our website, www.protectmiparks.org or send us an e-mail with your thoughts and ideas to protectmiparks@gmail.com.
And, as always, enjoy your Mercer Island parks!
Sincerely,
Meg Lippert, Co-Chair Peter Struck, Co-Chair Robin Russell, Treasurer Gary Robinson, VP
p.s. Your tax-deductible donations are always welcome. It’s easy! Just donate here:
https://secure.squarespace.com/checkout/donate?donatePageId=58d611c337c581212ab2a10f
or mail a check to:
PO Box 1337
Mercer Island, WA 98040
Concerned Citizens for Mercer Island Parks, P.O. Box 1337, Mercer Island, WA 98040
Protect All Mercer Island Parks