Kirkland asks locals to share values on community funding

The city will hold four meetings to talk on parks, community services and recreation programs.

May 31, 2018 8:30 am
Kirkland City Hall - Reporter file photo
Kirkland City Hall - Reporter file photo

The city of Kirkland invites community members to attend one of a series of workshops in early June that will help identify the community’s values on how to fund parks, community services and recreation programs as the Parks and Community Services Department plans for the future.

The workshops involve small group discussions run by GreenPlay, a nationally renowned parks and recreation consulting firm. The purpose of the workshops is for city staff to collect the community’s input on how each of the parks, recreation programs and community services benefits the community.

Participants in the workshops will examine the various programs and services provided by the city’s Parks and Community Services Department and will provide input on the community benefit versus individual benefit of each program. city staff will use this input to help develop resource allocation and cost recovery options to present to the City Council later this summer.

“We already know our community loves our parks, recreation programs and facilities,” said Councilmember Jon Pascal, chair of Public Works, Parks and Human Services Committee in a press release. “But now we get to dig deeper into the value residents put on individual aspects of what we offer as a city. The input we gather will help guide the future of Kirkland Parks for generations to come.”

The hour and a half workshops will be held at the Peter Kirkland Community Center, North Kirkland Community Center and City Hall. Refreshments will be served. Meeting dates and times are as follows:

  • June 4 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at North Kirkland Community Center multi-purpose room.
  • June 4 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Peter Kirk Community Center multi-purpose room.
  • June 5 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at City Hall Peter Kirk room.
  • June 6 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Peter Kirk Community Center lobby room.

Please call Parks customer service staff at 425-587-3300 to RSVP for attendance, or sign up online at www.kirklandparks.net. Space is limited, but staff will accommodate as many interested residents as possible. A fifth workshop will be added if necessary.