Dec 20, 2017 | Vol. 12 | No. 51
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 Parks Department Funding and Efficiency
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Summer trail crew; click to learn more about the Parks and Recreation Department
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Facing tight City budgets year after year, the Parks and Recreation Department (MIPR) has been successful in finding additional revenues to supplement City funds. "Over the last 6 years we've secured more than $1.6 million in grants from local nonprofits, King County and Washington State," says Bruce Fletcher, MIPR Director.
The additional funding has been critical in helping park facilities, programs and services keep pace with growing demand, but it comes with concerns. "It's not sustainable to rely on all these grants and donations every year, outside the City's general fund, because grants are very competitive and we can't count on winning them. We need a better long-term solution," says Fletcher.
The department routinely hears from Mercer Island residents that the community wants more ballfield time, playground equipment, or recreation programs. "For that," says Fletcher, "we need a more sustainable revenue source in order to provide the community with these services."
To keep costs down in recent years, MIPR has delayed hiring new staff, and made a myriad of small changes that include actions such as reducing its custodial contract, eliminating lifeguards at some beaches, designing its recreation guide in-house instead of contracting it out, reducing print and postage costs for the recreation guide, stretching the lifecycle of parks equipment and vehicles, and installing smart irrigation clocks to reduce water usage at parks.
"At this point, we are as efficient as possible," says Fletcher. "The only way to get any leaner will be to drastically reduce services and cut programs."
With a staff of 30, the department maintains 460 acres of parks and open space and 30 miles of trails, oversees the Mercer Island Community and Event Center, and delivers 150 recreational programs and events per year.
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New Bike Commuting Options
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The 15-mile loop across both bridges; click for other route maps
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Today, the long-awaited pedestrian and bicycle trail along the new SR 520 bridge officially opens to the public. For several months, users from the Eastside have been able to reach halfway across the bridge before encountering a security fence.
With the 2.7 mile, 14-foot wide trail now complete across Lake Washington, cyclists in particular will experience far greater regional mobility. The trail not only offers new bicycle commuting options, but also completes a loop when used in tandem with the existing I-90 trail across Mercer Island.
In preparation for the potential increase in new riders seeking to complete the 15-mile loop across both bridges (see trail maps), the City of Mercer Island is working on improved trail signage, as well as a master plan for the long-term upkeep and improvement of the trail. |
Holiday Ship Returns This Friday
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The Argosy Holiday Ship returns Friday, December 22; click for details
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Back by popular demand, the Argosy Holiday Ship makes a stop at Luther Burbank Park on the evening of
Friday, December 22. The onboard choir will sing carols from the boat, while a
ttendees on shore enjoy a beach bonfire and warm drinks.
This FREE event, appropriate for all ages, starts at 7:30pm and ends at 9:00pm.
Contact Kai Fulginiti at (206) 275-7864 with questions.
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Wastewater Pipeline Fieldwork Along NMW
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Potholing crews will use a vacuum truck to
clear debris; click to learn more
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King County Wastewater Treatment Division is continuing its field investigations to inform the design and exact alignment of an upgraded sewer pipeline from Mercer Island to Bellevue, to be built in 2019.
As part of the project, field crews have begun "potholing" near North Mercer Way to locate underground utilities including gas, sewer, power, water and telecomm lines. Work will occur Monday-Friday, 9:30am-3:00pm only, and is expected to be complete by December 31 (approximately). No work will occur on December 25 or 26 and one lane of traffic with flaggers will always be maintained. The I-90 bike trail will remain open.
More information, including exact pothole locations, is
available here.
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