Park Planning

SNOHOMISH COUNTY PARKS PLANNING

PARK AND RECREATION ELEMENT

Current Adopted Plan

Snohomish County adopted the current Park and Recreation Element (PRE) in June 2015. This document is a component of the Snohomish County Growth Management Act (GMA) Comprehensive Plan and works together with the County’s General Policy Plan and Capital Facilities Plan to provide goals, objectives and strategies for providing park services through 2035. The PRE includes a list of envisioned park improvements intended to serve growth, as well as address interests identified by the public.

 

Update in Progress: Comp Plan 2024 Update

The Comprehensive Plan (the "Plan") is a document that guides Snohomish County decisions on a wide range of topics and services over a 20-year time period. As the Plan acts as the blueprint for development in the county, it will impact neighborhoods, businesses, traffic, the environment, recreation opportunities, and you. The Plan is also meant to reflect the vision and priorities of Snohomish County communities and residents while meeting the requirements of state and federal law. When adopted, the Plan will be in effect from 2024 to 2044 with minor updates.


Parks staff are working with long-range planners in Planning and Development Services and Public Works on the update to the Comprehensive Plan for adoption in December 2024. The Comprehensive Plan will include an updated Parks and Recreation Element (PRE), which will include updated maps, level-of-service calculations, project priorities, policies, goals, objectives and strategies to meet the growth and demand over the next 20 years. The updated PRE will be based upon the current Park and Recreation Visioning Plan (PRVP), which summarizes public needs in park facilities and services.


A request for public comments on the policy amendments for each section of the comprehensive plan is available for review at the County’s Planning website.


Resources

Staff Contact

For more information on the Snohomish County Comprehensive Parks Plan update, please contact email Carol Ohlfs, Principal Park Planner, at (425) 388-6609.


PARK AND RECREATION VISIONING PLAN

Current Adopted Plan

The Snohomish County Park and Recreation Visioning Plan (PRVP) was adopted in February 2022. The plan utilized a visioning process that set goals and engaged the public to identify needs and evaluate satisfaction with parks and recreation opportunities. The PRVP provides public input that will guide our division’s comprehensive planning process. The plan includes updated chapters on the Parks Division’s vision, goals and objectives, inventory, public involvement, demand and need analysis, and capital improvement program. The PRVP was created based on a process that also satisfies planning requirements of the State of Washington Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO). Adoption of this document ensures Snohomish County remains eligible for grant funding available from RCO.


PARK INVENTORY REPORT

A complete listing of facilities managed by Parks is provided in the Snohomish County Parks Inventory Report (PIR). An overview map is also included showing the distribution of park facilities around the county. Individual park maps provide property information on each of Snohomish County’s parks. This report is typically updated annually at the end of each year.


CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP)

The County’s annual CIP is updated each year through the budget adoption process. The CIP includes the list of planned parks and recreation capital projects for the next 6 years. Find updated CIP documentation here.


INDIVIDUAL PARK PLANS

See Current Park Projects for active planning group projects.