Hold PHearing_RecreationandTourismPlan_Adoption

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Introduction This document outlines the choices that are available, and the means for implementing preferred actions found to be of most benefit to all Kittitas County residents as well as accommodation of year-round tourism pressures. This document is a revision to the previously adopted 2016 Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces Plan, as well as the Kittitas County Tourism Plan that outlines recreational demand and implementation actions found to attract and benefit tourists since tourism is a major economic development objective and opportunity for Kittitas County. Kittitas County adopted its first Parks, Recreation and Open Space plan in 2016. During that same time, the County produced a Tourism Plan that was not adopted. A single action item in the 2016 plan has been adopted to date. The lack of plan implementation suggests a need to review the existing plan and determine if there are new priority actions that might facilitate large scale plan implementation. In winter 2021, staff began working with the Board of County Commissioners reviewing and revising the 2016 plan. Staff reviewed all plan supporting studies and data from 2016 and determined the studies are still valid. As a companion effort, staff presented a preferred funding mechanism intending to facilitate plan implementation through direct Board investment. The plan is now organized into two parts. Part One addresses recreation actions that are to be led by the County while Part Two defines actions to be led by others. Part One are actions expected to be advanced by Board employees using County financial and human resources implementing Board led priority actions. The plan does not prohibit Board investment in Part Two activities in the future, but rather acknowledges who is best served to implement activities in the 2016 plan that are no longer being prioritized for Board direct implementation. Recognition of 2016 planning efforts cannot be overstated. The 2016 plan comprehensively evaluated parks, recreation, and open space activities Countywide. Much of that effort is carried directly forward in this revised plan. The 2016 plan objective "IDENTIT=Y ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES" is specifically achieved in this plan revision. Plan Objectives Identify and implement a series of prioritized actions appearing within the previously adopted 2016 Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces (PROS), the 2016 Kittitas County Tourism Plan, and Chapter 11 of the Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan. Plan actions are directed at meeting current and future recreational demands of County residents and tourism demands supporting out of County visitors. The 2016 plan provides the following bulleted listing of desirable plan outcomes; • Define the setting — in Kittitas County including climate, environment, wildlife habitat, history, culture, population changes, and current development conditions. • Inventory assets — including existing public and private open spaces, park and recreation facilities, and recreational services that have been developed to -date by Roslyn, Cle Elum, Ellensburg, Kittitas County, Washington State, and private non-profit and for- profit organizations. • Forecast demand — for future open space, trails, park, and recreation facilities and recreation services that may be provided by Kittitas County or other agencies. • Identi appropriate roles and res onsibilities — that should be undertaken by Kittitas County to meet critical open space, trail, parts, and recreation facilities and recreation program needs. • Develop the elements of a countywide plan — for open space, trails, park, and recreation facilities and recreation programs. • Determine costs and standards — involved in maintaining and/or improving open space, trails, 3