 |
Parks, trails and open space have been trademarks of Liberty Lake well before the city’s incorporation in August 2001.
Despite an abundance of greenspace – including a trio of quality golf courses – the discussion over a shortage of recreational facilities has found its way onto a number of City Council agendas over the years. From tennis courts to softball fields, special interest groups have lobbied their case before city leaders – mostly to little avail.
Most recently, the city has brought up the idea of a 20-acre sports complex as part of a priority list associated with a pair of funding mechanisms designed to pay for a variety of infrastructure upgrades. The two programs – tax increment financing and the local infrastructure financing tool – draw funds from sales and property tax to cover costs tied to new sidewalks, sewer systems, storm drainage – and parks – within new development areas.
 |
| Phase one of the construction of Rocky Hill Park, a 14-acre greenspace, is now underway, the latest project addressing recreational opportunities in the city of Liberty Lake. Next Tuesday, members of the Liberty Lake City Council will consider a survey on parks and recreation priorities distributed by a parks planning committee comprised of local residents. |
Earlier this year, when the city outlined its five priorities for TIF and LIFT dollars, the sports complex made the list. The project was not included on a similar inventory compiled by Greenstone Inc., the primary development company in Liberty Lake.
A general recreation amenities amendment, with the sports complex at the center, was eventually brought before the city as a proposed addition to Liberty Lake’s comprehensive plan. A group of residents, meanwhile, came forward with their own amendment emphasizing the development of neighborhood parks that would connect to the current trail system and also be located within walking distance of homes.
In July, around 40 citizens showed up at a meeting of the city’s community development committee to voice their opinion concerning the future of parks and recreation within Liberty Lake. Residents of a new development called River District, in the north section of the city, expressed a hope that “walkable parks” would be a priority in the planning process.
Near the end of June, a community park planning committee had been organized consisting of seven members, four of whom live in the River District. Cindy Esch, who chairs the group, said the committee was formed “to create a format for the citizens of Liberty Lake and the larger community of Liberty Lake to have an opportunity for input on the future development of parks in Liberty Lake.”
Esch said the committee has received input from a range of local organizations including the Friends of Pavillion Park and area homeowners associations as well as members of the Liberty Lake City Council and municipal staff.
While the committee may not be thrilled about the idea of a sports complex, Esch said the group understands the importance of adequate recreational facilities.
“No one has said that just because we don’t have a sports complex, we won’t have baseball fields or a swimming pool,” Esch said.
Liberty Lake City Council Member Neal Olander, who serves on the community development committee along with fellow council members Patrick Jenkins and Odin Langford, said he has “backed off the idea of a sports complex” since earlier in the year, but maintained that the city should make it a priority “to set land aside.”
Olander added that the city should have some say in how TIF and LIFT money is utilized, emphasizing that taxpayer funds are helping to build new developments.
Last month, the community park planning committee released results of a detailed survey on parks and recreation in Liberty Lake. Over 82 percent of respondents said that parks, trails and open space represented an important factor in deciding where to live. Ensuring proper maintenance of greenspace and developing neighborhood walkable parks were listed as a top priorities while less than half as many respondents felt it was important to establish facilities like baseball fields and tennis courts.
Doug Smith, Liberty Lake’s planning and community development director, said feedback from the survey will be “very beneficial” as the city continues to map out the future of parks.
“The citizens committee has been very effective in gathering comments and creating an advocacy group for parks,” Smith said.
Greenstone officials continue to meet with the Liberty Lake Planning Commission to discuss the specific area plan for the River District, including the distribution of greenspace. Smith said the development company “has always done an exceptional job making sure parks are a priority.”
Smith pointed to the example of Rocky Hill Park, a 15-acre site currently under construction within a new Greenstone housing development in Liberty Lake.
“They could have build houses there, but they donated 15 acres for a park,” Smith said. “They understand that in the long-term, it adds value to the neighborhood.”
|
|
By
Craig Howard
