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.
- View the draft PRE here: Park and Recreation Element – September 2023 Draft.
- Review the draft environmental impact statement and send in public comments on the County’s Planning website.
- 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
- Read more about the Comprehensive Plan update and ongoing public engagement opportunities on the 2024 Update project webpage.
- PRE Briefing Presentation to Snohomish County Planning Commission (7/27/2021)
- Parks and Recreation draft policy amendments are open for public comment from February 1 - March 2, 2023.
- PRE Briefing to Snohomish County Planning Commission (May 2023)
- Draft Environmental Impact Statement Open House & Public Comment Period (September 2023)
- Planning Commission Public Hearing for the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update (October 24, 2023)
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.
ps://snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/70450/2019-Park-Inventory-Report https://snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/70450/2019-Park-Inventory-Repor https://snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/70450/2019-Park-Inventory-RepCAPITAL 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 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) ps://snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/70450/2019-Park-Inventory-Report https://snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/70450/2019-Park-Inventory-Repor https://snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/70450/2019-Park-Inventory-RepCAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) ps://snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/70450/2019-Park-Inventory-Report https://snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/70450/2019-Park-Inventory-Repor https://snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/70450/2019-Park-Inventory-RepCAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) ps://snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/70450/2019-Park-Inventory-Report https://snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/70450/2019-Park-Inventory-Repor https://snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/70450/2019-Park-Inventory-RepCAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP).
INDIVIDUAL PARK PLANS
See Current Park Projects for active planning group projects.