One of the many comments about the PROS Plan delivered to the Planning Commission Hearing on the PROS Plan: 5.20.25
Members of the Planning Commission and Carmen Smith, KC Parks Planner,
First, thank you for the Park’s efforts to engage the public about what they want in their parks and to create a solid PROS Plan. I have participated in the Park’s public meetings and surveys to gather my input, and I commend the Park department for providing these opportunities.
The problem is that all this public input isn’t well reflected in the actual Plan, except as appendices. For example, since a strong majority of park users prefer natural trails, this should be identified as a priority. Instead, this preference is minimized and not listed as a priority in Capital Improvements. There appears to be a gap between the public input and the author of the Plan, which seems to be based on a template rather than the gathered information.
Had the Plan been released as an early 30% draft, this gap could have been identified and sent back for editing to be more accurate and representative, as is usually done in draft review processes. Instead, the public and county have received a “Final Draft” to review, with little opportunity to make meaningful changes.
Furthermore, this Plan does not appear to be an update of the previous Plan. The Parks department decided to take a different approach and develop a plan that reflected their departmental needs. Because this document is so long and vaguely written, it was hard to understand that it had taken a substantial deviation, and could be implemented in ways that are counter to what the public wants.
Lastly, the Plan looks good – it has pretty graphics. However, please respect the draft-review-edit process and make the necessary corrections as requested. This Plan is for the public’s Parks, not just the department’s convenience. I look forward to reviewing a revised draft at 60% completion before a final draft is submitted.
Thank you,
April Ryan
Kingston Resident
Send your own comment by email to the Planning Commission by May 27, 5 pm.
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