HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes-2021-116RESOLUTTON No. 2o2r - I I k
Adopting the202l Kittitas Counfy Recreation and Tourism Plan
BOARD OF COTINTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY OF KITTITAS
STATE OF WASHINGTON
WHEREAS: The Board of County Commissioners adopted the2016 "Kittitas County, Washington
Park, Recreation & Open Space (PROS) Plan" with Resolution 2016-076; and
WHEREAS: The Board of County Commissioners has met on numerous occasions in202l revising
the 2016 plan to prioritize implementation projects and to include Tourism actions into a
single recreation and tourism plan; and
WHEREAS: A public comment period was open from March 11,2012, until May 7,2021, and staff
has incorporated comments that were received into the final plan draft; and
WHEREAS:The Board of County Commissioners did conduct an open public hearing duly advertised
on June 15,2021, receiving final comments on the the proposed final draft of the202l
Kittitas County Recreation and Tourism Plan; and
WHEREAS: Staff has incorporated public testimony for the June 15, 2021, public hearing into the
2021 Kittitas County Recreation and Tourism Plan; and
WHEREAS: The 2021Kittitas County Recreation and Tourism Plan meets the planning requirements
of the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office; and
WHEREAS: Maintaining and enhancing recreation and tourism opportunities in Kittitas County is
essential to promoting public health and welfare; and
WHEREAS: An important segment of the County economy benefits from access to recreation and
recreation-based amenities.
NOW' THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of County Commissioners, in the best interest
of the public, does hereby adopt the 2021 Kittitas County Recreation and Tourism Plan and all related
appendices and supporting documentation (Attachment A).
DATED this 6th day of July 2021, at Ellensburg, Washington
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
KJTTITAS COLINTY )w GTON
A
/iillilll\
[1 Clerk of the Board- Julie Kjorsvik
Qbeputy Clerk of the Board- Mandy Buchholz
Vice-Chairman
ABSENT
$, J"l"l
Cory Wright, Commissioner
ATTACHMENT A
2O2l KITTITAS COLINTY RECREATION AND TOURISM PLAN
2021 Kittitas Gounty
Recreation and Tourism Plan
June 2021
Contents
Executive Summary,.,,..
lntroduction
Plan Objectives,..........
Public lnvolvement,.,.,.
Recreation and Tourism Demand
County Led Recreation and Tourism Activities
Plan Element 1 : Trail Systems.....,,,
Plan Element 2: Resource Parks ....................
Plan Element 3: Special Purpose Facilities.....
Plan Element 4: Kittitas County's Strategic Role in Recreation and Tourism
Recreation and Tourism Activities Led by Others
Plan Element 5: Recreation programs
Plan Element 6: Resource conservancies..........
Plan Element 7: Historical resources
Plan Element 8: Playgrounds & fields
Plan Element 9: Recreation facilities
Plan Element 10: Design standards
Plan Element '11; Financial Resources
Plan Element 12: Kittitas County Tourism lnfrastructure Plan ,...
Appendix A..,..,.,,,,.,.,...,
Grant County PUD via email,
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Mountains to Sound Greenway via email:27
Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce via email:28
Cle Elum Downtown Association via email, ..................29
The Nature Conservancy via email:30
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission via email: ........31
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Executive Summary
Ihe202l Kittitas County Recreation and Tourism Plan is organized in two parts, Part One addresses recreation
elements that are now being targeted for lead action by the County (Trail Systems, Resource Parks, and Special
Purpose Facilities), and includes the role the County is expected to play in strategically implementing all elements of
the plan. Part One contains priority action items expected to be implemented by Board employees using County
financial and human resources, Part Two of the plan defines actions led by others - the remaining seven elements of
the 2016 Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan (PROS) (Recreational Programs, CulturalArts, Resource
Conservancies, Historical Resources, Playgrounds and Fields Recreational Facilities and implementation items
contained in the 2016 Tourism Plan), The plan does not prohibit Board investment in PartTwo activities in the future,
but rather acknowledges who is best served to lead and implement activities defined in the 2016 plan that are no
longer being prioritized for Board direct implementation. Data gathered during the 2016 planning effort appears as
appendices in the 2016 PROS plan, lt is presumed that recreationaldemand from King County has continued to
increase over the past five years, based on anecdotal data collected by County staff.
The 20'16 Parks, Recreation and Open Space contains numerous appendices. This revision of the plan does not
include the vast amount of data contained in the 2016 appendices. Readers are encouraged to obtain the original
document with appendices (if desired) by downloading a complete version of the plan at the County's website
referencing Resolution 2016-076. Additionally, the Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan, Chapter I 1 : Recreation,
Parks, Open Space and Natural Environment, speaks to long range planning goals as they relate to potential
opportunities, community growth, the environment and safety.
Kittitas County intends to update the Recreation and Tourism plan on a five-year cycle concurrent with level of
service demands and population dynamics, During update cycles, data collection and analysis will be conducted, and
existing pertinent data updated and made available as plan appendices,
)
lntroduction
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. ln 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 stillvalid. 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 fonrvard in this revised plan.
The 2016 plan objective "IDENTIFY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES' is specifically achieved in this plan revision.
Plan Objectives
ldentify 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 1 1 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 settinq - in Kiftitas County including climate, environment, wildlife habitat, history, culture,
population changes, and cunent development conditions.
lnventorv 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.
ldentifv appropriate roles and responsibilities - that should be undertaken by Kittitas County to meet
critical open space, trail, park, 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,
aJ
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park, and recreation facilities and recreation program levels-of-service (LOS), particularly the
possible use of innovative financing tools or methods.
Define an implementation prooram - outlining the actions necessary to realize the plan including
supporting actions necessary to resolve agreements with the county, cities, school districts, state,
and other private non-profit and for-profit agencies.
Determine oublic opinion - through a series of public participation events and resolve final
project, plan, and financing particulars based on the results of public input.
Public lnvolvement
The Kittitas County Board of Commissioners (BoCC) and Kittitas County Department of Public Works (PW)
oversaw this revision planning process, with the assistance of the Kittitas County Treasurer's Office and the
Community Development Services Department, During the 2016 planning efforl, Kittitas County conducted a
series of:
lnternet survevs - of county residents and tourists to determine their knowledge, use, condition
assessments, and plan proposals during this planning process.
Hand-ouUhand-back surveys- of Kittitas County Fair and Ellensburg Rodeo aftendees to determine
their current utilization, program and park priorities of Kittitas Valley Event Center and other county
destinations.
Public workshops and forums - with agencies and city residents in Cle Elum and Ellensburg to
brainstorm their ideas for open space, trails, park, and recreation facilities; and to review and critique
the resulting brainstorm proposals prior to the development of final plan alternatives.
lnternet survev of reoistered voter - towards the end of the process to determine final voter project and
program priorities from among the alternative proposals and resolve financing preferences with which
to implement this plan.
a
During the 2021 revision process, Kittitas County staff conducted a series of workshops with the Board of County
Commissioners creating a draft plan for stakeholder and public review and comment. An outline of the workshop
process appears below:
Workshop 1: Defining prioritization for implementation of specific goals agreed upon by the BoCC,
identifying redundancies in the 2016 plan where goals may overlap, identifying goals and policies within the
20'16 plan that are not appropriate for Kittitas County to lead, and identifying overlap or intenruorking the
Tourism Plan and the PROS Plan.
Workshop 2: lmplementation strategy
Workshop 3: Funding options
Community outreach was conducted prior to the public hearing considering revised plan adoption. Drawing upon
potential Federal, State, local, and private key stakeholder groups and Countywide resident comment on the draft
plan is incorporated were appropriate by staff and as supported by the Board of County Commissioners.
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Recreation and Tourism Demand
A summary of the PROS 2016 data shows Kittitas County's current and forecasted population estimates. Future
population estimates are extended to 2040. This data is shown below in Table 1. lncreased population and multi
season or year-round recreational demands are increasing, putting added pressure on Kittitas County public land
uses and resources.
Kittitas County population - increased from 9,704 persons in 1900 to 42,670 persons by 2015, fluctuating
between a high of 10,3% average annual rate of growth between 1900-1910 to a low of 0.9% between 1970-
1980. The grovrrth rate for the past twenty years exceeds 20 percent for the period, This rapid growth rate
mandates that the County plan under the Growth Management Act GMA), even though the County initially
elected to plan under GMA many years earlier.
Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) estimates Kittitas County will increase to a population
of 55,436 persons bythe year2040 averagingl.2o/o peryearbetween 2015-2025 then declining to 0.9% per
year by 2035-2040.
Tabfe 1. Population projections for years 2015-2040 for nine counties in Washington State
County
Popu latio n projections 201 5.2040
2015 2040 Additional Grovrfth
, Kittitas
King
Grant
Snohomish
Pierce
Chelan
Yakima
Douglas
Benton
Total
42,592
2,052,800
93,390
757,600
830,120
75,030
249,970
39,990
188,590
4,380,684
55,436
2,418,850
139,337
997,634
1,042,341
89,246
318,494
54,762
247,856
5,362,956
12,844
366,050
44,947
240,034
212,221
14,216
68,524
14,772
61,266
982,272
30.2Y0
17.8o/o
48.10/o
31.7%
25.60/o
18.9Y0
27.4To
36.9%
32.50/o
22.4o/o
Washington State's Recreation & Conservation Office (RCO) develops a Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor
Recreation Plan (SCORP) every six years to help decision-makers befter understand recreation issues
statewide and to maintain Washington's eligibility for federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)
funds. RCO conducted a series of 12-month diary surveys of a random sample of Washington State residents
in 2000, 2006, and 2012to determine the type of indoor and outdoor recreation activities residents engaged in
over the year including the resident's age, gender, ethnicity, income, and regional place of residence. The
RCO SCORP surveys recorded what residents participated in of 140 different indoor and outdoor activities and
special spectator events including the participation rate and number of occasions per year by season, month,
week, and type of environment (urban, rural, mountain). The surveys did not record the location of the activity.
Appendix D shows a fulllist of Washington State tourist-oriented recreation activities in2012.
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RCO SCORP's 2018-2022 Recreation and Conservation Plan is similar to our PROS plan and follows a model
of identifying few priority areas based on assessment of demands, level of service by area, and survey results,
Additional, or more specified plans, were also created in support of an overall recreation plan. For example,
State Trails Plan, State Community Athletic Facilities Plan, Boating Grants Program Plan, and the Nonhighway
and Off-Road Vehicle Activities Grant Program Plan.
Participation rates - were highest for picnicking, barbequing, or cooking out (80.9% of the survey
respondents) and walking without a pet (71,3%).
Frequencies - were highest for walking without and with a pet (97.8 times per year).
Kittitas Countv is located straddling 4 of the SCORP regions for which the diary surveys were collated
including the:
North Cascades - extending north through Chelan and Okanogan and west through Snohomish, Skagit, and
Whatcom Counties.
Seattle-Kinq - including all of King County
South Central- including Yakima, Benton, Franklin, and Walla Walla Counties.
Columbia Plateau - including Douglas, Grant, Adams, and Lincoln Counties.
Table 2. Percentage and occurrences of participation for the top 5 tourist-oriented activities in Washington State by region
Participation rates for top 5 tourist-oriented activities
Activity SeaKng NoCas SoCntl
Picnicking, bbqing, cooking 78.3Y0 83,3% 84.2Yo
Walking w/o pet 78.1o/o 67.6To 71.90/o
Wildlife viewing 58.1o/o 61.60/o 49.90/o
Sightseeing 58.40/o 61,8% 51.3o/o
Hiking 57,80/o 59,10/o 43,8o/o
Frequencies for top 5 tourist-oriented activities
Activity SeaKng NoCas SoCntl
Picnicking, bbqing, cooking 20,8 2lJ 17
Walking w/o pet 97.9 102.3 95.5
Wildlife viewing 31.9 55,1 37.7
Sightseeing 14,3 15.4 17.1
Hiking 13.2 15.7 15.6
ColPlt
85,1Y0
65,3%
55.3%
54.70/o
36.5%
ColPlt
18,9
71.9
3'1.1
12,1
17.3
Since these surveys were conducted and the 2016 PROS plan was written, the RCO has compiled newerdata
in an Assessment for Demand 2017 report (https://www.rco,wa.qov/StateRecPlansiresources/) and has
identified Kittitas County as part of the North Cascades region, Data is also broken down further into
demographics: age, race, education level of participants, male/female, and with/without children. Below are the
top 10 activites in the North Cascade range, which are very similar to the 2012 data reported above.
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Table 3. Top 10 (by percentage) of recreational activities in the North Cascades region
North Cercedes
Activity Catccorv t/o
I Walkinq in a oark or tnail seltins Walkine 88%
2 Visitins rivers or streams Nature Aclivili€s 7$oy'o
3 Visitins a beach or lide oools Nature Activilies 66%
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Attending an outdoor concert or event (e"g-,
farmer's market. fairs. snortins events)Leisure aclivities at a unrk 60olo
5 Dav-hikins Hikinq 58%
6 Swimminsy'wadins at a beach - freshwater Swimmins 55o/o
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Gather or collect things in a nalurE sstting
{e-a-- rocks- sbells- nlants}Nature Activitiw 55%
I $cenic or wilderness arca Sichtseeinc 53o/o
I Plavinc l,eisure ac.tivities at a oark 50o/o
t0 Wildlife or nalure viewine Nature Activities 50%
Follow-up surveys were conducted for each geotourism interest that included the mapped destinations and
attractions shown in the Kittitas County Tourism Plan following along with specific questions whether the
additional information would generate an increased interest in visiting Kittitas County. (Table 3 above).
Geotourism activities qeneratinq MOST likelv visitation after beino provided information on Kittitas
Countv attractions - include historical districts and landmarks (60% of the follow-up respondents will visit
more now that aware of attractions), farms, famers' markets, and produce stands (60%), public lands (55%),
wildlife habitat areas (55%), extent of wildlife species (55%), fishing access sites (53%), museums and Native
American sites (53%), historical railroads and roads (53%), hiking trails (53%), art galleries, studios, and
performances (50%) suggesting that outreach will generate higher tourism volumes in these activities.
Geotourism activities qeneratinq LEAST likely visitation after beins provided information on Kittitas
Countv attractions - include horse trails (11o/ol, off-road vehicle (ORV) trails (16%), all- terrain vehicles (ATV)
trails (16%), hunting and shooting sites (16%), bams and farmsteads (20o/o), and bam quilts (25%)suggesting
that participants of these activities cunently know of Kittitas County attractions suggesting that outreach will
be least effective for these attractions since they know or have already frequented these destinations.
An additional solicitation of survey respondents of "Table 3 Activities" -yields the following results based on "no,
maybe and yes" (Table 4):
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Table 4: Survey results regarding the likelihood of increased visitation to Kittitas County
Will you visit Kittitas County more now that you are aware of the extent of destinations and attractions
in your geotourism area of interest?
Historicaltourists No Maybe Yes
Historical distiiots and landmarks : 07c 400/6 60%
Barns and farmsteads 15Yo 650lo 20o/o
Logging areas and sites
Museums and Native American sites
I nterpretive centers, kiosks, trails
Cultural tourists
Bam quilts
Environmental tourists
Agricultural tourists
Barn quilts
Recreational tourists
lMntertrails
Horse trails
Mountain bike trails
Ofi-road vehicle (ORV) trails
All-terrain vehicle (AT$ traifs
Hunting and shooting sites
No Yes
No Maybe Yes
260/o
0o/o
1}Yo
No
25o/o
26Yo
35%
30%
Yes
310/o
250/o
37Yo
26a/o
16Ya
160/0
47olo
65Yo
600/o
Maybe
44o/a
Maybe
Yes
130/o
No
32Ya
47ala
63%
6370
6370 2dYo l1ola
63%
Maybe
32%
260/0
21Yo
2lYo
0370 21a/o 16%
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PART ONE
County Led Recreation and Tourism Activities
The Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) has identified three implementation priorities best led utilizing direct
County resources (labor and investment capital), The three elements of this plan slated for direct implementation by
the BoCC are: Trail Systems, Resource Parks and Special Purpose Facilities. Each of these plan elements are
discussed in detail in this chapter of the plan. The County will continue playing a strategic role implementing all
elements of the plan.
Plan Element 1: Trail Svstems
1,0 OBJECTIVE: Facilitate the planning, development, maintenance and operation of a variety of countywide
trails and paths including: winter, water, horse, off-road hike and bike, off-road recreationalvehicle (ORV) and
all-tenain vehicle (ATV) hails, on-road bicycle touring routes and scenic drives that are directly related to
environmental resources as outlined in the 2016 PROS plan that are of most interest to Kittitas County
residents and tourists.
Work with other interested public and private groups and agencies, including The Kittitas County Recreation
Forum, Washington State Recreate Responsibly Coalition, Towns to Teanaway (T2T), The Nature
Conservancy, Suncadia, Washington State Departments of Fish & Wildlife, Natural Resources, and Washington
State Parks & Recreation Commission, US Forest Service (USFS), Fish & Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land
Management (BLM), and Grant County Public Utility District to develop and maintain an integrated system of
trails and paths.
Action ltem 1.1 Wintertrails
Support a system of alpine skiing, dog sledding, ice skating, Nordic skiing, sledding or snow tubing,
snowshoeing, and snowmobile trailheads and trails for access to Wenatchee National Forest and Teanaway
Comm unity Forest attractions.
Action ltem 1.2 Water hails
Support a system of kayak, canoe, raft, and other hand carry boat access landings and other improvements
for appropriate access to Kittitas County's lakes and rivers.
1.2.2: Where feasible designate a water trail network for hand-carry or car-top craft including canoes and
kayaks navigable lengths of the Yakima and Columbia Rivers.
Action ltem 1.3 Horse hails
Support a system of horse trails and riding areas for appropriate access to Kittitas County's National Forest
(USNF), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and Washington State Departments of Natural Resources (DNR)
and Fish & Wildlife (DFW) public lands especially including the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Teanaway Community
Forest, and LT Murray Wildlife Area as well as the Cle Elum Washington State Horse Park, Kittitas Valley Event
Center, and Ellensburg Rodeo stable barns and arenas.
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Action ltem 1.4 Hike and bike trails
Coordinate and support a comprehensive system of off-road hike and bike trails that access scenic,
environmental, historic, and open space attributes throughout Kittitas County - expanding and linking existing
trail systems into area-wide networks especially including between the urban areas and public lands in the
Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Wenatchee National Forest, Teanaway Community Forest, LT Murray, Oak Creek,
Wenas, and Whiskey Dick Wildlife Areas,
Action ltem 1.5 ORV and ATV trails
Coordinate and support a comprehensive system of off-road 4-wheel drive and all-terrain vehicle trails and
backcountry roads that access scenic, environmental, historic, and open space attributes throughout Kittitas
County expanding and linking existing trail systems in the urban and upper county areas into area-wide
networks including the Wenatchee National Forest, Teanaway Community Forest, Naneum Ridge State
Forest, LT Murray, Oak Creek, Wenas, Colockum, and Whiskey Dick Wildlife Areas.
1,5.2: Coordinate and support designation and operation of off-road 4-wheel drive and all-terrain vehicle parks
that provide scenic routes, obstacles, and other skill courses for all off-road vehicles, interests, and skill levels,
Action ltem 1,6 On and off-leash doq parks and areas
Coordinate and support a system of on and off-leash dog areas that provide controlled and convenient
exercise opportunities for dog owners including appropriate segments of the proposed horse, hike, and bike
trail systems,
1.6.2: Where appropriate, support development of off-leash dog parks that provide controlled and convenient
exercise and social area opportunities for dog owners near major Kittitas County destinations including the
Roslyn, Cle Elum, and Ellensburg historic downtown districts, Central Washington University, Kittitas Valley
Event Center, and l-90 hotel/motel concentrations.
Action ltem 1.7 Streetscapes. oarkwavs. qatewavs, and artworks
Support development of viewpoints and interpretive exhibits that integrate scenic corridors with specific
historical, cultural, environmental, and scenic points of interest.
1,7,2: Support efforts to install artwork in to trails, parks, park facilities, and historical sites - especially within
the historic districts.
Action ltem 1.8 All trail services and furnishinqs
Support development and maintenance of a series of trailheads, trailside rest stops, viewpoints, interpretive
exhibits, and trail signage systems that integrate winter, water, horse, hike, bike, ORV, ATV, and dog trails
with specific historical, cultural, environmental, and scenic points of interest.
1,8.2: Coordinate within the county as well as partner with other municipalities to create continuous trail
corridors and local spur or loop routes with parks, schools, other public facilities, historical sites, and Roslyn,
Cle Elum, and Ellensburg historic downtown districts,
1.8,3: Suppott furnishing trails with appropriate supporting trailhead improvements that include interpretive and
directory signage systems, rest stops, restrooms, parking and loading areas, water, and other services.
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1.8.4: Where appropriate, promote trailheads at or in conjunction with park sites, schools, and other community
facilities to increase local area access to countywide trail systems and reduce duplication of suppoiling
improvements.
1.8.5: Where appropriate, coordinate telephones, emergency call boxes, or other means by which trail users
can summon fire, emergency aid, police, and other safety and security personnel should the need arise.
1.8.6: Define trail improvements of a design and development standard that is easy to maintain and access
by maintenance, security, and other appropriate personnel, equipment, and vehicles.
1,8.7: Support an effective trail maintenance and restoration programs including the use of Adopt-A-
Trail for citizens and organizations to provide park maintenance and litter pick-up activities.
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Plan Element 2: Resource Parks
2.0 OBJECTIVE: Coordinate the planning, development, maintenance and operation of a variety of resource-
oriented facilities including: fishing and hunting access sites, hand-carry boat access and launch ramps,
swimming beaches, picnicking areas, and tent and RV campgrounds that are directly related to environmental
resources as outlined in the 2016 PROS plan that are of most interest to Kittitas County residents and tourists,
Work with other public and private agencies, particularly The Nature Conservancy, Suncadia, Washington State
Departments of Fish & Wildlife, Natural Resources, and Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission, US
Forest Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Management, and Grant County Public Utility
District to develop and operate appropriate resource park facilities.
Action ltem 2.1 Waterfront access and facilities
Support development of additional shoreline access for waterfront fishing, wading, swimming, boating, and
other related recreational activities and pursuits along the lake and river shorelines.
Action ltem 2,2 Picnickinq and dav-use activities
Support development of additional picnic sites, shelters, and day- use group picnic grounds at major
resource parks and along major off-road trail corridors throughout Kittitas County.
Action ltem 2.3 Campqrounds
Support development of additional tent and RV campgrounds within Kittitas County
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Plan Element 3: Special Purpose Facilities
3.0 OBJECTIVE: Coordinate and support the development and operation of facilities that have special or
unique interests, impacts or relevance to Kittitas County residents that may not be provided by another public or
private agency as outlined in the 2016 PROS plan. lf practical, coordinate and assist other public and private
agencies including the Suncadia, The Nature Conservancy, Washington State Horse Park, among others, with
interpretive centers, museums, and other specialized facilities throughout Kittitas County, Local groups with
specialized interests and focus such as the Teanaway Community Forests Advisory Board, Kittitas County Field
and Stream, and Trout Unlimited may be of coordination interest as well,
Action ltem 3.1 Special enterorises
3.1 Where appropriate and economically feasible, support the development and operation of specialized and
special interest recreational facilities, such as water parks, non- profit and for-profit retreats and conference
centers, art and performing theaters, archery and gun ranges for Kiftitas County residents and tourists.
3,1.2 Where appropriate, participate in joint planning and operating programs with other public and private
agencies for special activities like downtown farmers' markets, farm and barn tours, quilt tours, winery and
brewery tours, farm stays and bed- and-breakfasts, and other throughout Kittitas County.
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Plan Element 4: Kittitas Countv's Strateoic Role in Rec and Tourism
4,0 OBJECTIVE: The County should undertake a strategic approach to open space, trail, park, and recreation
facilities and recreation services where Kittitas County assumes responsibility for functions of countywide
interest where there are no other viable sponsors and helps coordinate or support functions and activities that
have other viable sponsors.
Action ltem 4,1 Coordinate activities
Take the lead role in providing information and coordinating services for open space, trail, park facilities,
and recreation program activities on a countywide basis. Update future population growth estimates,
inventory existing and proposed facility developments, identify probable countywide and regional facility
and program needs, and proposals of countywide facility and program solutions in each five-year plan
update.
Action ltem 4,2 Planninq and develooment services
Provide detailed planning and development services when:
4.2.1:fhere are no other designated agencies or organizations who can, or
4.2.2: fhe activity involves site controversies or environmental consequences that may not be equitably
resolved othenruise within Kittitas County.
Action ltem 4.3 Development, operation, and maintenance
Help develop, operate, or maintain open space, trail, park, or recreational facilities or recreation program
activities provided:
4.3,1 : The facility will have broad benefits for a large proportion of the countywide population and will be
financed using resident approved methods, or
4.3.2: Facility development and operating costs will be recaptured from direct charges of the populations
who use the facility, or
4.3.3: Facility development and operating costs will be compensated in some manner through inter-local
agreements with the using agency, area or benefiting user group, particularly where the demands will
originate from a county service requirement, or
4,3.4: The site or facility has intrinsic value apart from traditional operation and maintenance needs, such as
a passive natural area or wetland preservation.
The following goals and objectives are based on a strategic approach to countywide services, an analysis of
existing open space, trail, park, and recreation conditions, and the results of workshop planning sessions
and surveys,
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PART TWO
Recreation and Tourism Activities Led by Others
PartTwo of this plan identifies plan elements that the BoCC believes are best led by others than direct use of County
resources.
Plan Element 5: Recreation proqrams
5.0 OBJECTIVE: Promote healthy eating and active lifestyle programs and outreach activities of special
interest and lifestyle benefit for county residents. Promote, and work with other public, nonprofit, and for-profit
agencies, organizations, and vendors including Roslyn, Cle Elum, and Ellensburg cities, Cle Elum-Roslyn,
Ellensburg, Kittitas, Thorp, and Damman School Districts, CentralWashington University, Washington State,
and others, Such programs may include athletic leagues and sport groups (like youth soccer, little league,
lacrosse, and football), youth, teen, and senior age groups, and special populations where these activities are
of major interest and benefit to county residents of all ages.
Action ltem 5.1 Encouraqe Healthv lifestvle
Promote healthy eating and active lifestyle programs including education, awareness, enforcement, and
developmental partnerships for youth, teen, and senior age groups, and special populations where these
activities are of major interest and benefit to county residents of all ages.
Action ltem 5.2 Encouraoe Active lifestyle
Facilitate development of a network of multipurpose parks, hails, facilities, and programs that encourage an
active lifestyle involving walking, hiking, biking, playing, swimming, exercising, and other pursuits that help
regulate weight and physical condition, and mental and physical health and wellbeing for all age groups.
Action ltem 5.3 Promote Operations of Numerous Activities
Promote the operation of environmental, historical, cultural, and recreational programs providing instruction,
volunteerism, and participation in habitat restoration, community gardens, water- based recreation, trail
development and security, interpretation programs, summer and day camps, maintenance, and other site-
specific activities at park sites and properties in Kiftitas County.
Action ltem 5.4 Support Historical Societies
Support historical and cultural societies to develop and display artifacts, reports, and exhibits; and conduct
lectures, classes, and other programs that document and develop awareness of Kiftitas County's heritage at
park sites and properties.
Action ltem 5.5 Promote Art and cultural
Promote programs for arts and crafts, classroom instruction in music and dance, physical conditioning and
health care, meeting facilities, daycare, latchkey, and other program activities for all cultural, age, physical and
mental capability, and income groups in Kiftitas County by all agencies and vendors.
15
Action ltem 5.6 Support Athletics
Designate and preserve appropriate sites and facilitate agreements with user and league organizations to
operate basketball, volleyball, tennis, soccer, baseball, softball, and other instruction and participatory programs
for all age, skill level, and income groups in the County,
Action ltem 5.7 Promote CulturalArts
Promote development of high quality, diversified cultural arts facilities and programs that increase awareness,
attendance, and participation opportunities at parks and properties in Kittitas County.
Action ltem 5.8 Support Proqrams
Support successful collaborations between Cle Elum-Roslyn, Ellensburg, Kittitas, Thorp, and Damman School
Districts, Cenhal Washington University, Yakama Nation, and other public agencies, service groups, schools,
arts patrons, and artists that optimally utilize artistic resources and talents at parks and properties in Kittitas
County,
Action ltem 5.9 lncorporate Artworks
Where appropriate, incorporate public artworks including paintings, sculptures, exhibits, and other media for
indoor and outdoor display to expand resident access and appropriately furnish public places in parks and
properties in Kittitas County.
t6
Plan Element 6:rce conservancies
6,0 OBJECTIVE: Assist with the planning, coordination, and preservation of unique environmental areas,
wetlands, wildlife habitat, open spaces, forestlands, and scenic areas. Work with other public and mission
related non-profit and private agencies, such as Cle Elum-Roslyn, Ellensburg, Kittitas, Thorp, and Damman
School Districts, Central Washington University, Washington State Departments of Fish & Wildlife, Natural
Resources, Parks & Recreation Commission (P&RC), US Forest Service (USFS), US Fish & Wildlife Service
(USFWS) Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Nature Conservancy, Yakama Nation, Suncadia, and others to
provide access to and create an effective approach to the following conservation issues,
Action ltem 6.1 Conserve Wildlife habitat
ldentify and help conserve critical wildlife habitat - including nesting sites, foraging areas, and migration
corridors within or adjacent to natural areas, open spaces especially within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness,
Wenatchee National Forest, Teanaway Community Forest, LT Murray Wildlife Area, Oak Creek Wildlife Area,
Wenas Wildlife Area, Naneum Ridge State Forest, Colockum Wildlife Area, Quilomene Wildlife Area, and
Whisky Dick Wildlife Area, and along the Yakima River and Columbia River shorelines,
6.1.2: Preserve sensitive habitat sites that support threatened species and urban wildlife habitat - particularly
around the Little Kachess and Cle Elum Lakes, and along the Yakima River shorelines.
Action item 6.2 Naturalarea
Preserve and protect significant environmental features - including unique wetlands, open spaces, woodlands,
shorelines, waterfronts and other characteristics that support wildlife and reflect Kittitas County resource
heritage - especially Teanaway Community and Naneum Ridge State Forests,
6,2,2: Provide public access to environmentally sensitive areas and sites that are especially unique to Kittitas
County and surrounding area - including the length of the lron Horse State ParUJohn Wayne Trail corridor from
Snoqualmie Pass through Yakima River Canyon to the Columbia River at Vantage.
Action ltem 6.3 Conserve Forestlands
ldentify and conserve forest cover and the scenic attributes woodlands provide - especially the Wenatchee
National, Teanaway Community, and Naneum Ridge State Forests,
Action ltem 6.4 Conserve Open spaces
Define and conserve a system of open space corridors or separators to provide definition between natural
areas and urban land uses in and adjacent to Roslyn and Cle Elum - especially the open spaces created by the
Teanaway Community Forest and the recent acquisitions by Central Washington Forest, LLC and managed by
The Nature Conservancy.
l7
Plan Element 7: Historical resources
7,0 OBJECTIVE: Assist where appropriate in the planning, coordination, and preservation of unique
archaeological, historical, cultural, scenic, and man-made places, sites, landmarks, and vistas, Work when
appropriate with other public and private agencies, such as the Roslyn Museum, Kittitas County Historical
Museum, Historic Thorpe Mill, Olmstead Place State Park, Gingko Petrified Forest, CentralWashington
University Museum of Culture & the Environment, Washington State Historical Societies, Yakama Nation, and
others, to create an effective approach to the following resource conservation issues and proposals.
Action ltem 7.'l Enhance Historical features and interests
ldentify, preserve, and enhance Kittitas County's heritage, traditions, and cultural features - including historical
sites, buildings, artworks, views, and monuments within park sites and historical areas - especially Roslyn, Cle
Elum, and Ellensburg historic downtowns.
7.1,2: ldentify and incorporate significant historical and cultural lands, sites, aftifacts, and facilities into the open
space, trail, and park system to preserve these interests and provide a balanced social experience - especially
including important Native American sites, homesteads, farms and barns, commercial buildings, railroad,
mining, logging camps, and other places of interest in Kittitas County.
7.'1.3: Work with the Central Washington University, Washington State Historical Society, Yakama Nation, and
other archaeological and cultural groups to incorporate historical and cultural activities into park developments
and recreational programs.
Action ltem 7.2 lncorporate manmade environments and features
lncorporate interesting manmade environments, structures, activities, and areas into the open space, trail, and
park system to preserve these features and provide a balanced recreational experience including historic
mining, logging, railroad, and roads as well as the Wild Horse Wind Farm and Ellensburg Solar Ranch.
7 .2.2:Work with property and facility owners to increase public access and utilization of these special sites and
features.
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Plan Element 8: Plavqrounds & fields
8.0 OBJECTIVE: Support development of an integrated system of playgrounds, courts, and fields that are of
most interest to Kiftitas County residents. Assist with the planning of a system of local and regional athletic park
facilities including competitive athletic fields that are of interest to Kittitas County residents and regional league
tournament pafticipants.
Coordinate and assist as appropriate other public and private agencies including Roslyn, Cle Elum, and
Ellensburg cities, Cle Elum-Roslyn, Ellensburg, Kittitas, and Damman School Districts, CentralWashington
University, and youth sports league organizations. Help site and sponsor the development of major competitive
outdoor and indoor athletic facilities for all age and skill groups that are within reasonable geographic service
areas of Kittitas County resident populations,
Action ltem 8.'l Support Plavqrounds and tot lots
Support development and designation of a network of play sites and facilities that meet playing standards and
requirements for all age groups and skill levels within convenient walking distances of residential
neighborhoods,
Action ltem 8.2 Suoport Recreational courts
Support development and designation of a network of community park sites that provide a variety of
recreational courts (such as basketball, sand volleyball, and tennis courts) that meet the highest quality pick-up
and competitive practice and playing standards and requirements for all age groups, skill levels, and
recreational interests within convenient walking distances of residential neighborhoods.
Action ltem 8.3 Support Skateboard couds and challenqe courses
Support development of equipment and furnishings that provide specialized activities (such as skateboard,
rollerblade, climbing walls, and challenge courses) that meet the highest quality competitive practice and
playing standards and requirements for all age groups, skill levels, and recreational interests.
Action ltem 8.4 Support Athletic fields
Support development and designation of a network of sites for organized sports leagues (such as soccer,
lacrosse, softball, and baseball fields) to meet the highest quality competitive practice and playing standards
and requirements for all age groups, skill levels, and recreational interests - including competition field sites in
Roslyn, Cle Elum, and Ellensburg as well as potentialjoint ventures with Cle Elum-Roslyn, Ellensburg, Kittitas,
Thorp, and Damman School Districts, and CentralWashington University.
19
Plan Element 9:facilities
9.0 OBJECTIVE: Help coordinate the planning, development, and operation of specialized indoor facilities
including aquatic facilities, gymnasiums, arts and crafts, classrooms, meeting rooms forspecial populations,
children, teens, seniors, and the general population that are of major interest to Kittitas County residents of all
ages. Coordinate and assist other public and private agencies including Roslyn, Cle Elum, and Ellensburg
cities, Cle Elum-Roslyn, Ellensburg, Kiftitas, and Damman School Districts and related nonprofits, and for-
profits, among others, to realize the following effective facilities and services within reasonable geographic
service areas of Kittitas County resident populations.
Action ltem 9,1 Support Aquatics centers
Support development and operation of outdoor and indoor aquatics facilities that provide instruction, aerobics,
recreation, and competition facilities for all age groups, skill levels, and aquatics interests on a seasonal or
year-round basis - working with Roslyn, Cle Elum, and Ellensburg cities, Cle Elum-Roslyn, Ellensburg, Kittitas,
Thorp, and Damman School Districts, and related nonprofits and for-profits, among others.
Action ltem 9,2 Support Recreation centers
Support development and operation of multiple use indoor recreational centers that provide gymnasiums,
physical conditioning, recreational courts, and other athletic spaces for all age groups, skill levels, and
community interests on a year-round basis - working with Roslyn, Cle Elum, and Ellensburg cities, Cle Elum-
Roslyn, Ellensburg, Kittitas, and Damman School Districts, and related nonprofits, and for-profits, among
others.
Action ltem 9,3 Supoort Communitv centers
Support development and operation of a system of multipurpose community centers and facilities that can
provide arts and crafts, music, video, classroom instruction, meeting facilities, eating and health care, daycare,
latch key, and other spaces for all age groups including preschool, youth, teens, and seniors on a year-round
basis.
Action ltem 9.4 Support Arts centers
Support development and operation of special indoor and outdoor cultural and performing arts facilities that
enhance and expand music, dance, drama, cultural and historical interpretations, and other audience and
participatory opportunities for the county-at- large including special summer farmers' markets and festival
events in the Roslyn, Cle Elum, and Ellensburg historic downtown districts.
20
Plan Element 10: Desiqn standards
10,0 OBJECTIVE: Develop and maintain design guidelines to ensure facilities are accessible, safe, and easy
to maintain, with life cycle features that account for long-term costs and benefits.
Action ltem 10,1 Develop Accessibility Standards
Develop and maintain design guidelines for outdoor picnic areas, trails, playgrounds, courts, fields, parking lots,
restrooms, and other active and supporting facilities to be accessible to individuals and organized groups of all
physical capabilities, skill levels, age groups, income, and activity interests,
Action ltem 10.2 Develop Desion Standards
Develop and maintain design guidelines for indoor facility spaces, activity rooms, restrooms, hallways, parking
lots, and other active and supporting spaces and improvements to be accessible to individuals and organized
groups of all physical capabilities, skill levels, age groups, income, and activity interests,
Action ltem 10,3 Develop Maintenance Standards
Design, retrofit, and develop Kittitas County facilities that are sustainable, of low maintenance, and high-
capacity design to reduce overall facility maintenance and operation requirements and costs including the use
of xeriscaping, drought resistant vegetation, native species, and low-water requirements,
Action ltem 10.4 Encouraqe Sustainability
Where appropriate, incorporate low maintenance materials, settings or other value engineering considerations
that reduce care and security requirements, and retain natural conditions and experiences.
Action ltem 10,5 Encouraqe an "Adopt" Prooram
Where practical and appropriate, implement an Adopta-Trail and Adopt-a-Park program where volunteer users
and citizens can perform maintenance, collect litter, and other support activities.
Action ltem 10.6 lncoroorate Pest Manaqement
lncorporate lntegration of Pest Management principles in the management of landscape resources by utilizing a
holistic approach to managing pests using biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical tools.
Action ltem 10.7 Securitv and safetv
lmplement the provisions and requirements of the American Disabilities Act (ADA), Washington State Building
Codes, and other design and development standards that improve park facility safety and security features for
park users, department personnel, and the public-at-large.
10.7.2: Develop and implement safety standards, procedures, and programs that provide proper training and
awareness for county personnel.
10.7.3: Define and enforce rules and regulations concerning activities and operations that protect user groups,
county personnel, and the general public-at-large,
10.7 .4: Where appropriate, use adopta-park programs, park watches, and other innovative programs that
increase safety and security awareness and visibility.
2t
Plan Element 11: Financial Resources
1 1.0 OBJECTIVE: Develop guidelines for creating effective and efficient methods of operating, maintaining,
acquiring, and developing facilities and programs that accurately distribute costs and benefits to public and
private interests.
Action ltem 11.1 Suoport Proiect Financinq
lnvestigate innovative available methods, such as impact fees, land set-a-side or fee-in-lieu-of-donation
ordinances, and inter- local agreements, for the financing of facility development, maintenance, and operating
needs in order to reduce costs, retain financial flexibility, match user benefits and interests, and increase
services.
Action ltem 11.2 Encouraqe Joint Ventures
Consider joint ventures with other public and private agencies including Roslyn, Cle Elum, and Ellensburg
cities, Cle Elum-Roslyn, Ellensburg, Kittitas, and Damman School Districts, Central Washington University,
Washington State Departments of Natural Resources, Fish & Wildlife, Parks & Recreation Commission, US
Forest Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Yakama Nation, Suncadia, The
Nature Conservancy, Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce, and other public, nonprofit, and for-profit
agencies where feasible and desirable,
Action 11.3 Encouraoe Public private resource coordination
lntegrate Kittitas County resources and funding with available monies and resources from the cities, school
districts, and other regional, state, federal, nonprofit, and for-profit agencies in a manner that will best serve and
provide for Kittitas County resident interests.
11.3.2: Cooperate with the cities, schooldistricts, and other regional, state, federal, nonprofit, and for-profit
agencies to avoid duplication, improve facility quality and availability, reduce costs, and represent Kittitas
County resident interests through joint planning and development effofts.
Action ltem 11,4 Develop Proiect CosVbenefit assessment
Define existing and proposed land and facility level-of- service (ELOS/PLOS) standards that differentiate
requirements due to population growth impacts, improved facility standards, and county and local, resident and
tourist nexus of benefits.
11.4.2: Create effective and efficient methods of supporting acquisition, development, operation, and
maintenance of open s pace, trail, park, and recreational facilities in manners that accurately distribute costs
and benefits to public and private user interests.
Action ltem 11,5 Support Recreational Proqrams
Support development and operation of recreational programs that serve the broadest needs of the Kittitas
County population, recovering program and operating costs with a combination of registration fees, user fees,
grants, sponsorships, donations, scholarships, volunteer efforts, and the use of general funding.
11.5.2: Where appropriate, support providing recreational programs, like retreat and conference facilities, water
parks, horse parks, archery and gun ranges, for those interested groups who are willing to finance the cost
through user fees, registration fees, volunteer efforts, or other means and methods.
22
Plan Element 12: Kittitas Countv Tourism lnfrastructure Plan
12,0 0BJECTIVE: lncrease tourism opportunities within Kittitas County
As identified by the BoCC, the Kittitas County Tourism lnfrastructure Plan, hereafter The Tourism Plan,
would be best led by other entities within Kittitas County with expertise in tourism and revenue generation
mechanisms. The Tourism Plan lists within its elements several possible entities for implementation of
plans focused on tourism. These possible entities include city, county, tribal, state, and special enterprise
groups.
Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce
Kittitas Valley Event Center
Ellensburg Downtown Association
Ellensburg Farmer's Market
Roslyn Farmers Market
Suncadia
Central Washington U niversity
City of Ellensburg
City of Cle Elum
City of Roslyn
Yakama Nation
Northern Kittitas County Historical Society
Department of Natural Resources
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Kittitas County Parks and Recreation District #1
I
0
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Appendix A
Public Comments Received
24
Press Release Public Works
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2021 Kittitas County Recreation and Tourism Plan
Kitiiias Counly,WA - 04/06/2021 - The Public Works deportment is requesting public comment
of the 2021 Recreotion ond Tourism Plon.
The plon outlines the choices thot ore ovoiloble, ond the meons for implementing preferred
octions found to be of most benefit to oll Kittitos County residents os well os the occommodotions
of increosing yeor-round recreotion ond tourism pressures. This document is o revision to the
previously odopted 2016 Porks, Recreotion, ond Open Spoces Plon (PROS), os well os the
Kittitqs County Tourism Plon, thot outline the County's recreotionol demond ond proposed
implementotion octions found to ottroct ond benefit tourists os tourism is o moior economic
development obiective ond opportunity for Kittitos County.
fhe 2O2l Kittitos County Porks, Recreotion, ond Open Spoce Plon (PROS) is orgonized in two
ports. Port One oddresses recreotion elements thot ore now being torgeted for leqd oction by
the County (Troil Systems, Resource Porks ond Speciol Purpose Focilities) ond includes the role the
County is expected to ploy in sirotegicolly implementing oll elements of the Recreotion ond
Tourism Plon. Port One contoins priority oction items expected to be implemented by Boord
employees using County finonciol ond humon resources. Port Two of the plon defines octions
proposed to be led by others - the remoining seven elements of the 2016 PROS Plon
(Recreotionol Progroms, Culiurol Arts, Resource Conservoncies, Historicol Resources, Ploygrounds
ond Fields Recreotionol Fqcilities ond implementotion items contoined in the 2016 Tourism Plon).
The 2021 Kittitos County Recreotion ond Tourism Plon is ovoiloble on the Boord of County
Commissioner's Focebook poge: https://www.focebook.com/poges/cotegory/Government-
Orgonizotion/Kittitos-County-Boord-of-Commissioners- I 8722820563221 8l /
Kittitos County, from the Coscodes to the Columbio, ond online ot b!Js:':J_/y-yyw.e9_,&it!jl*q$!yq,us
###
Conto ct: N ico I e O g o n, dse!-q..ggs n@s9*.[1i-t-ss 1ry,s.u-s, ( 5 0 9 ) 9 6 2 -7 6 1 O
25
Grant County PUD via email:
Hi Nicole-Thonk you forthe opportunity to comment on the 2021 Kittitos County Recreotion ond
Tourism Plon.
Gront PUD is committed to providing high-quolity recreotion omenities ot the Rocky Coulee
Recreotion Areo, Vontoge Recreotion Areo, Huntzinger Boot Lounch ond ADA Fishing Pier, ond
The Cove Doy-Use Areo. ln coordinotion with locol ogencies, including Kittitos County, Woshington
Stote Porks, ond the Woshington Deportment of Fish ond Wildlife, Gront PUD monoges its londs
olong the Columbio River in o monner thot not only provides recreotion opporiunities for visitors
to Kittitos County, but olso protects ond enhqnces the shoreline's noturol resources. Gront PUD
looks forword to continuing this coordinotion.
Thonk you,
Shonnon Lowry
License Complionce ond Londs Services Monoger/Gront PUD
Environmentol Affoirs
PO Box 878, Ephroto, WA 98823
509.766-1700/ desk
509.289.9244 / cett
509.754.6831 / fox
slowry@ocpud.oro
www.ocpud.orq
26
Mountains to Sound Greenway via email:
For the considerotion of Public Works stoff,
Thonk you for undertoking the revision of the Kittitos County 2016 Porks, Recreotion, ond Open
Spoces Plon. The originol plon, its supporting tourism plon, ond the ottending surveys ond studies,
did o remorkoble iob of cotegorizing Kittitos County's ossets, needs, chollenges, ond
opportunities. lt wos comprehensive ond ospirolionol, but more thon onyone could hove expected
the County stoff to toke on withoul o dedicoted Porks ond Recreotion stoff. I om excited to see
the County setting priorities ond providing stoff with the guidonce they'll need to begin
oddressing recreotionql infrostructure needsl The priorities selected in the revision moke good
sense ond ploy to the County's stonding expertise.
As o resident of Thorp ond on employee of the Mountoins to Sound Greenwoy trust, I om
personolly ond professionolly engoged in severol troil/occess plonning proiects locolly. The best
known of these is the Towns to Teonowoy (T2T) proiect, on effort io link the Upper County
communities of Cle Elum, Roslyn, ond Ronold over privote londs to the Teonowoy Community
Forestvio o sustoinoble system of nonmotorized troils. ln 2019, the Kitiltos County Porks ond
Recreotion District # I (KPRD 1 ) officiolly took on the role of legol ond f iscol sponsor for T2T. As o
subordinote group of Kittitos County government, KPRDI hos token some initiol steps down the
poth the revised PROS plon looks to pove - holding eosements for public recreotionol omenities,
providing some mointenonce services, ond offering some guidelines for sofe ond responsible
recreotion.
Considering KPRDI's officiol stonding with the County, ond T2T's stotus os o sponsored KPRDI
proiect, I would like to encouroge the revised PROS plon to specificolly coll out Towns to
Teonowoy under Plon Element l: Troil Systems. Officiol recognition in municipol plonning
documents is often o requirement for proiects like T2T to pursue gronts ond other funding
opportunities for copitol construction. I'm very glod to see the type of proiect ond octivities
generolly referred to in Action ltems I .4 ond 1.7 bvl being listed by nome would do much for our
future obility to implemenl T2T for the further success of orgonized recreotion in Kittitos County.
Thonk you for your considerotion!
Sincerely,
Nicky Posi (she/her)
Upper Yokimo Bosin Community Coordinotor
Mountoins to Sound Greenwoy Trust
(509) 656-4073
27
Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce via email:
Hey Nicole,
Thonk you so much for looping us in on this! The plon is looking greot, ond we ore excited thot it
oligns with the work we ore doing. Just o few thoughts- toke whot you see fh ond leove the rest
Will this be o public document once finolized? Whot does the timeline look like? How often will it
be updoted?
Under public involvement, "Public Workshops ond Forums" is listed- let us know how we con help
with this, we olso hove o Smoll Business Development Center in upper county thot con be used to
help focilitote onything the Bocc sees fit.
Under Plon Element l: Troil Systems, I noticed thot o lot of the gools olong with the gops v/e ore
filling with our fffAD proiecf. ln the following porogroph, the plon mentions working with privote
ond public ogencies. I work closely with the Kiltitos County recreqtion forum os well os the Stote's
Recreote Responsibly coolition- this is on impoctful group of skilled lond owners, user groups,
orgonizotions etc thot we moy wont to include!
On Plon Element 4: Our Strotegic Role in Recreotion ond Tourism, who will be updoting the future
populotion growth estimotes, inventory existing ond proposed focility developments? Where
should this doto be kept?
Should we be listed under Action ltem 11.2?
Thonk you so much,
Modison Ford
Director of Tourism ond Events
28
Cle Elum Downtown Association via email:
Hi Nicole,
To set the fromework for my questions - this is my first time involved in this plon, so I moy hove
questions / thoughts thot were oddressed in 2016. Bosicolly, it's o very comprehensive plon. I
don't hove ony results bosed informotion to compore with this plon thot would ollow me to
suggest ony chonges. However, I did hove o couple of questions.
a Pg 3 Inventory ossets - including existing public ond privote open spoces, pork ond
recreotion focilities, ond recreotionol services thot hove been developed to-dote by
Roslyn, Cle Elum, Ellensburg, Kittitos County, Woshington Stote, ond privoie non-profit ond
for- profit orgonizotions (lf this is o comprehensive plon for Kiltitos County, why is this not
going to Hyok or to Vontoge? For future plonning, extending those boundories ond
indicoting thot odditionol oreos will be survey to begin lhe ossessment process for
odditionol resources thot would strength ond support o County-wide Porks, Recreotion
ond Open Spoces plon.
Where ond how wos the Recreotion ond Tourist Demond survey's conducted? How wqs the
locol doto reported? I'm osking becouse it would be interesting to compore survey results
(if you ore odministering them ogoin) by the some sectors. lt might olso be interesting to
compore response chonge f rate / interest - to see where chonge ond interest hove
hoppened. Hopefully, responses ore being gothered from some of the outlying oreos -
ihot would support ony chonge or growth interest in exponding this plon lo support
odditionol porks, outdoor spoces, etc. beyond Roslyn west or Cle Elum eost.
This plon is very comprehensive - whot hos been ochieved since 20l6 ond will those
ochievements be used to help prioritize outcomes ond gools?
Whot would be the process to odd the Cle Elum Downtown Associotion to section '12.0?
Thonk you for including me,
Debbie
Debbie Bogorl
Executive Director
123 E Firsr Srreet
509-433-2330
a
a
F,{t?F,f}# *l*l
urwrry..gleel-ugelowtrlo-i-v-D.qqm
29
The Nature Conservancy via email:
Good Morning Nicole,
Thonk you for the opportunity to provide comments on the 2021 Recreotion ond Tourism Plon. We
oppreciote the County's efforts to odvqnce this importont work.
The Noture Conservoncy is referenced six times in the plon ond most of those references ore
occurote ond supported from our perspective. However, there is one reference thol we request is
odiusted.
The reference currently reods:
"Action ltem 6.4 Conserve Open spoces
Define ond conserve o system of open spoce corridors or seporotors to provide definition
between noturol oreos ond urbon lond uses in ond odiocent to Roslyn qnd Cle Elum -
especiolly the open spoces creoted by the Teonowoy Community Forest ond the recent
ocquisitions by The Nqture Conservoncy."
While The Noture Conservoncy is o portner in the lond ownership, it is octuolly owned by the
Centrol Coscodes Forest, LLC. To clorify, we propose the following edit:
"rAction ltem 6.4 Conserve Open spoces
Define ond conserve o system of open spoce corridors or seporotors to provide definition
between noturol oreos ond urbon lond uses in ond odiocent to Roslyn ond Cle Elum -
especiolly the open spoces creoted by ihe Teonowoy Community Forest ond the recent
ocquisitions by the Centrol Coscodes Forest, LLC ond monooed bv The Noture
Conservcncy."
Thonks - we look forword to heoring if this is occeptoble to the County.
Dorcy Boluro (she/her)
Foresf Porlnerships Monoger
gj.q rgy. b q tws@tng.qr_g
(509) 304-5200
The Noture Conservoncy
ll0EFirstStreet
Cle Elum, WA98922
www.wqshingtonnoture.org/centro lcoscodes
30
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission via email:
Peter M. Msyer
Direclor
STATE OF WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON STATE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
11 1 I lsr6€l Ror'd S.W. r P.O- 8ox 42660 . OUmpie. WA 98504.2650 r (360) 902{5{n
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June 9, 2021
$lkole Ogan
l(ittilas County Public Works
tllensburg; WA
Re: 0ornments for County Recreation and Tourism Plan
Thank you for the opportunily to commenl on the 2011 Kittatas County Recreation and Tourlsm Plan,
State Parke is committed to providlng hlgh-guallty rccreatlon opportunltles at one of the mosl unlque
areas wlthln the state and coordlnatlng a long-term vlslon br recreatlon ln collaboratlon wlth Xlttitds
County, Washington Department of Fish and Wildfife, 6rant PUD, and other proFerty owners in the
area,
A$ you aro aware, Washln8ton 5tat0 Parks i$ currcnthy engaged in a long-range plannlry ellort at Glnkio
Peulfled Forest Stste Parh whlth lncludes tie Wanapum Recrc8lion ArEa. Our Chssiflcation ond
Managemenl Plsnnirg efforl (CAMP) is r four*tage process that culminates in adoption o{ land
clagrltlHllons oRd long+em boundarlas by the W6shlngton Slate Parkr ard Recreatlon Commlssion. We
4ppreclate lhE county'6 fiFedbach provlded during Stage 2 ofthe (AMP ptoces and encourage
contlnued lnput in the next pbnnlng rtrgct, With txplficd lncrerses in populatton and growing
r€crestlon demand, the Glnkgo plannhu elfort and the [ounty'$ necreation and Tourlsm Plan offer r
tlmely and unlque opFortunity to consider a hollslic vislon lor the Vpntage area that compleruentt
existlng and futurr planr includin8 ihe countfs comprchen$he plan, shorellne mrster ptotram, Gr6nt
pUD'r re(reition phns rnd other phns, State Parkr would llke to be an actlye partner wlth Kittltrs
County and other land managers, property ownero, othcr stakeholders to plan and lmplement r
collecthe vl$lon for the arE6.
Arcai of pot€ntlal collaboratlon and shrred lntereBte lnclude:
r Truils = lncluding on' and off-road treilr and coordinrted lrail rtgndards where rpproprltt€
. Resourca Parb - camplnE; doy-ure rnd ryrt€r a0cesc
. SpeclBl Purpo$B F8cllltlss {€.8, Stat€ Horse PErk}
r R€rource(lnssrYancJer
r HlstorhaUrulturalresources
r Flnanrlal resources
ln .dditlofi, the followlng colnmentr Bnd qu6$tlons rre provided for your consldaratlon,
Ealtarn Rcgion Hondquartcn r ?70 9rh $t. NE Sultc 200 r Eest ltr/cnrtehco, WA e8802 r (809) G6S4319
3l
It woultJ be helpful to lnclude maps that identify areas of opporiunily, inrluding priority tail
alignmenls and propnsed locations for new facllltles. The GlfikBo CAMP Plan is a tlmely
opportt!flitv to captur€ prioritles and potentlallV outllne artlons and tlmelines for funding and
irnplernentation, Amonf; other recreational features, the Ahrrnative Approoches proposed for
public commcnl in 5ta6e 2 of the CAMP plennlng efforl lnrlude new rails to potentially connect
the Palouse lo Cascades Trail with Wanapum Recreatisn Area, to the new Vantate Bay
Developmerit and potentially to the lown of Vantage and commercial opportunltles on i.he
north side of l-90. New tralls are alsu proposed in the area around the GlnftEo Petrified Forcst
lnterpretive center. There is also an opportunhy to identify vanta8e Highway a5 a on-street
bicycle route - whlch wlll connecl Vanlage, Ellensburg and Beverly through existing and
scheduled lmprovernents, whlch wlll culminate with the Beverly eridge opening later this year.
Seyond Ginkgo, it would be helpful to understand priorities in other parts ol the county,
According to the draft document, the County anilclpales being t}e lead for Part One of the Plan.
Witl plan lmplementatlon be led by th€ publh Works Department, and are there resourc*s to
support lrnplementation?
ln Fart Two, it wsuld be helpful to understand the role the County expects to pley ln support of
these efforts, as well as the level of prlorlty and importance of dlfferent plan elements.
Plan Element 6 * Resource Conserr,ranclesr Conslder addlng the lce Age Flood lnstitute/Prugram
to the Objectlve rettion.
Plan Element 6- Action ltem 6,1 and 6.2: Consider calling out Ginkgo Petrlfled Forest State PBrk
and its unlque set of resources not found ln other areas of the rht6 lncludlng petritied wood, lce
Age flood remnanls, cultural and hlstorlcsl tesources as well as several rare species of plants
and animals.
Plan Element 7 - Hlstsrkil Ressurcos: Conslder addlng the Wanapurn and Colvllle Trlber tp the
llst of other entltles; note the Nitional Natural l,andrnark (NNLI deslgnation held by Ginhgo
Petrlfied Forest Stste Park
Fhn tlernent 12 - lnfrastructure Plan: Add Washington State Fsrks and Rec.reatlon Comrnisslon
to the list of entltl$,
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As tre rnqve into 5ta6e 3 ol the CAMP process, we look lorwerd lo hearlng more lrom courrty staff and
doveloplng a linal plan that refl€cts *eas of rhared intareets and future collaborution. which is
developrnent of a Frellmlnary Recommendation, Stafe 3 will lil<ely occur latrr thls summer or early fall.
once drafted, we wlll soliclt lesdback for the Prellmlnary Becommendation. We expect thli to gccur
later thls surnrner or early fall. Wlth the lnput collocted, Stpte Park: will mqvp forwrrd to dcvclop a Flnel
Beoommendation for Commission reylew and approvel. Thlr ls likely not to oc{ur untll sometlme next
yeaf.
Thank you for lhe oppot-tunlty to comrnent on thls ptan and wF look forward to future collaboration. lf
you heve guestloni and additional oomments, pleore direct them to Mdhdo.Focner8prrk:.wg,iot,
Slncerely,tu
Scott GrlFfith, fleBlon Maflrger
Eaelarn Region Hcadquatlers . 270 gr' St, NE Sulte 200 r East \rr/ienatchee, WA 98802 r (609) 666a319
32