Bothell Sound

Public Safety · May 20, 2026

Bothell Planning Commission got its first look at the draft 2026–2031 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan on May 20

At a May 20, 2026 study session, Bothell staff presented the Planning Commission with a 90% draft of the six-year Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan and asked for the commission's input; no action was required 1.

What the records say

Staff presented the draft 2026–2031 Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan to the Bothell Planning Commission at a study session on May 20, 2026, requesting the commission's input and presenting draft findings; the agenda memo states no action was required 1. The plan is the strategic document that establishes goals and guides resources for the Parks and Recreation Department, and updating it every six years is required to maintain eligibility for Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office grant funding 1. The same study session agenda also separately listed a Housing Action Plan update and updates to the procedures code (BMC Titles 11 and 12); the agenda does not link these items to the PROS Plan 1.

  • The draft plan is built on extensive engagement: a community survey (Sept. 15–Oct. 13, 2025) drew 756 responses, plus eight pop-up events, four stakeholder workshops, and a February 26, 2026 open house 1.
  • Survey respondents ranked investments in the trail network (53%), acquiring property for a permanent dog park (47%), and improving the former Wayne Golf Course (47%) as the projects they'd most support seeking additional funding for; 85% said they were likely to back future parks funding ballot measures 1.
  • Only about 50.7% of Bothell residents live within a 10-minute walk of a city-managed park or open space, with access concentrated in the King County portion of the city 1.
  • The memo lists the path to adoption: City Council review of final recommendations June 9, Parks and Recreation Board June 11, a public hearing on the final draft July 7, and final Council adoption July 14 1.

Why it matters

The PROS Plan sets the priorities the Parks and Recreation Department will pursue from 2026 through 2031 — including capital projects, recreation programming, staffing, and funding — and keeps the city eligible for state recreation grants, so the direction in this draft shapes what park improvements Bothell residents actually see 1.

What changed / what's next

  • A 90% draft of the 2026–2031 PROS Plan (dated 05/08/2026) was presented to the Planning Commission for input at the May 20, 2026 study session; the commission took no action on it 1.
  • This record is pre-meeting material and does not establish what the Planning Commission said on May 20 or whether the plan stayed on the adoption schedule. The memo's listed milestones — June 9 Council review, July 7 public hearing, July 14 final adoption — were the schedule as of the memo, not confirmed outcomes 1.
  • The available records do not establish the meeting's outcome.