Adoption of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan.

This Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan updates the prior Parks Master Plan from 2007.  This plan is intended to be “visionary” and inspire alternatives and partnerships in the development of new parks and recreation facilities.  Health and wellness are essential to quality of life and play are a central theme in the plan. 

The Hermiston School District participated in the development of this plan to identify future recreational facility opportunities with the City.  This joint planning effort offers many benefits to residents with improved access to public facilities for recreation. 

This plan identifies a disproportionate distribution of parks in Hermiston with approximately 80% of the existing park acreage on the west side of HWY 395 while approximately half of the population resides on equal sides of HWY 395.  Strategies to correct this and other key findings are identified in the plan.  

This plan recognizes that other opportunities may arise over time that are not included in the plan.  This plan is the result of an extensive public outreach system that included survey responses from over 700 residents.  The survey findings, focus group discussions and other feedback represent the foundation of the proposed future park and recreation development.  The City’s Parks and Recreation Committee recommends adoption of this plan. 

Ties to the Council livability aspect identified in the City Council Vision Statement:

“The City of Hermiston aspires to support an excellent community. We strive to provide courageous leadership to create an inclusive community while providing an affordable, livable, and growing economy.”

The plan identifies a Capital Improvement Program to serve as a planning tool for future development.  The cost projections to not commit the City to specific projects but rather serve to identify a range of costs and funding strategies to accomplish the major development themes in the plan. 

Adopt the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan as presented.

Amend the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan.

Direct staff to make more changes to the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan.

Adoption of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan.