HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/19/2017 10 Naches Parkway Conversion to a City ParkBUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDASTATEMENT
Item No. 10.
For Meeting of: September 19, 2017
ITEM TITLE: Proposed conversion of Naches Parkway to a City Park
SUBMITTED BY: Ken Wilkinson, Parks & Rec Division Manager -576-6416
Scott Schafer, Director of Public Works
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
There is a proposal for City Council consideration to convert the Naches Parkway into a City
Park. Attached is a memo from staff outlining the requirements and issues of such a conversion
and the estimated costs.
ITEM BUDGETED: No
STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Neighborhood and Community Building
APPROVED FOR
SUBMITTAL:
City Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
BOARD/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date
memo 9'13'2017
D narks rules &'132017
Type
CGner Memo
Cner Menu.)
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Memorandum
September 19, 2017
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Yakima City Council
Cliff Moore, City Manager
From: Scott Schafer, Director of Public Works
Ken Wilkinson, Parks and Recreation Manager
Subject: Conversion of Naches Parkway to a Park
Located on North and South Naches Avenue, the Naches Parkway is a 15 block long parkway
of center planting islands. The oldest of the City's park greenspace, the parkway stretches from
H Street to Race Street and crosses through downtown at Yakima Avenue (map attached).
The parkway is covered with lawn for all of its length
except for the Hatfield block between Yakima Avenue
and Sgt. Pendleton Way which has brick paving and
picnic tables. Most notably, the parkway contains stands
of mature shade trees including sycamore, silver maple,
red maple, oak and crab apple trees. Many of the trees
are almost 100 years old and the City has begun
selective replacement with new red oaks and red
maples. One of Yakima's few public statues, a depiction
of Spanish-American War Col. John J. Weisenburger, is
located on the first parkway island south of Yakima
Avenue.
The Yakima Parks and Recreation Division currently
classifies Naches Avenue Parkway as an area between
two roadways that is lined with trees and planted with
grass. This parkway is one of the oldest properties in
the city that is maintained by the Yakima Parks and
Recreation Division. Routine maintenance of this green space is mowing, weed trimming and
treatment, irrigation maintenance and repair and tree trimming. Cost of routine maintenance is
estimated at $57,000.00 per year. Tree removal, if needed, is added to the maintenance cost.
A number of large trees that had reached the end of their life cycle have been removed at
substantial cost. Additional trees are being observed for designation for future removal.
Col. John J. Weisenburger
Requirements and Issues of Converting Naches Parkway to a City Park
Benches
Cost for a simple yet durable bench is $600 per bench. Placement of one bench on each block
of the 15 blocks along Naches Avenue would be $9,000. Installation could be completed by
Park Maintenance staff during regular work schedules.
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Picnic Tables
Cost of placement of permanent in ground picnic tables is estimated at $1,500 per table. Picnic
tables could be added at alternating blocks. Cost of 8 permanent picnic tables is estimated at
$12,000. Park maintenance staff could install permanent tables during regular work schedules.
Trash Receptacles
Trash receptacles are $25.00 each. The plastic containers used by Parks & Rec are donated
from a local fruit processing company. Park Maintenance staff clean each container and place
a Yakima Parks and Recreation logo sticker on each. Cans are lined with plastic bags. Trash
cans would need to be emptied at a minimum of three times per week throughout the year; less
often during the winter months. The estimated cost for trash pick-up and disposal per year is
$8,500.
Signage
Additional park rules and regulations signs would need to be created. Each sign cost is
estimated at $80.00 and a sign for each block would be needed. Total estimated cost of
signage would be $1,200.00.
Total One -Time Costs
The estimated "one-time" cost to convert the Naches Parkway to a City Park is $22,200 ($9,000
for benches, $12,000 for picnic tables, and $1,200 for signage).
Annual Costs
An annual cost of $8,500 would need to be added into the parks maintenance budget to cover
trash pick-up and disposal from the park.
Yakima Municipal Code — Title 13 — Park and Playground Ordinances
Title 13 of the Yakima Municipal Code for park regulations would be required to be implemented
(attached).
Additional Issues for Consideration
Homelessness
In the past couple of years, local business owners have requested the removal of benches by
the City to reduce the impact of individuals utilizing Naches Parkway during the daytime hours.
There has been a significant amount of frustration given the amount of garbage being generated
and repeated vandalism of the irrigation sprinkler heads. Staff representatives have been in
contact with Yakima Neighborhood Health Services (YNHS) and they have agreed to administer
a paid program for homeless individuals for helping clean and maintain the park. Office of
Neighborhood Development Services (ONDS) would supervise the workers and YNHS would
compensate the individuals for their time.
It should be noted that in accordance with YMC 13.20.030 Park curfew imposed, designating
the Naches Parkway as a City Park would not address the current issue of individuals utilizing
the area during the daytime hours.
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Traffic Safety
It is recommended that traffic safety issues be taken into consideration if Naches Parkway is
converted to a park. Currently, there is an insufficient safety buffer between the traffic and the
park users due to vehicle traffic on each side of the greenspace. There should be ample room
for park users to move away from the adjacent roadways to avoid any potential traffic related
problems such as noise, fumes, and errant vehicles. Vehicle parking is heavy in many sections
of Naches Avenue. As a result, individuals crossing the road to Naches Parkway from between
parked cars significantly increases the possibility of vehicle/pedestrian collisions. One way to
remedy this situation would be to place fencing or another type of barrier around the parkway in
order to limit the number of access points. A fence would also provide a barrier between
vehicles and park users but could create sight line restrictions at intersections and make it
difficult for Park staff to mow and maintain the area. The estimated cost of the chain-link
fencing ranges from $28,000 (3 -foot) to $56,000 (4 -foot) depending on the height of the fence.
In addition, curbing along Naches Parkway is shorter than the typical 6 inches due to past
pavement overlays. There is virtually no barrier for the safety of individuals to an errant vehicle
because of the low height curbs. A grind and overlay project the length of Naches Avenue
would be highly recommended to reestablish the correct curb height and to address the
installation of pedestrian crossings at an estimated cost of $700,000. If only the curbing is
addressed, the cost would be reduced to $350,000.
One -Time Safety Expenses
If a barrier or fence was to be installed around the park the cost would be between $28,000 and
$56,000. Improvements to the curbing would be $350,000. If the curb and roads are improved
the cost would be $700,000.
Conclusion
The estimated "one-time" cost to convert Naches Parkway to a City Park is $22,200. One-time
costs to improve pedestrian safety in and around the park would vary from $28,000 to $700,000.
Just making the minimum improvements would be a one-time expense of $50,200. If all
improvements were made the one-time cost would be $778,200. Annual park maintenance
expenses would increase $8,500 (from $57,000 to $65,500) for refuse pick-up and removal and
would need to be added to the one-time costs.
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Converting Naches Avenue Parkway to a Park
Selected Current YMC Ordinances Regulating Activities in Yakima Parks
13.16.070 Intoxicating liquor regulated—Exceptions.
No intoxicating liquor or alcoholic beverage of any kind or nature shall be possessed, consumed or
brought within the limits of any city park, city playground, or any property owned, operated and/or
managed by the Yakima Greenway Foundation and its successors and assigns within the boundaries
of the city of Yakima, except for the following:
(a) For any event not constituting a special event subject to Chapter 9.70 YMC, intoxicating liquor or
alcoholic beverages may be possessed, consumed or sold pursuant to applicable city park permit and
a valid permit issued by the Washington State Liquor Control Board at Sarg Hubbard Park, Sherman
Park, the Gateway Sports Complex at Kiwanis Park, Fisher Park Golf Course, and/or the Harman
Center at Gailleon Park.
(b) For any event constituting a special event subject to Chapter 9.70 YMC, intoxicating liquor or
alcoholic beverages may be possessed, consumed or sold in any city park pursuant to the terms and
conditions of such special event permit issued pursuant to Chapter 9.70 YMC. (Ord. 2013-041 § 1
(part), 2013: Ord. 2013-016 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013: Ord. 2012-09 § 2, 2012: Ord, 2004-50 § 1, 2004: Ord.
2004-18 § 1, 2004: Ord. 94-56 § 2, 1994: Ord. 2906 § 1, 1985: Ord, 2675 § 1, 1983: Ord. B-1381,
rule 7, 1952).
13.16.080 Trash to be placed in receptacles—Toilets not to be defaced.
No papers, boxes, food, litter, trash or material of any kind shall be thrown on the grass, walks or
driveways, but the same must be placed in the receptacles provided for that purpose. The comfort
stations and toilets shall not be defaced nor improperly used, nor the plumbing thereof obstructed or
injured. (Ord. 2013-041 § 1 (part), 2013: Ord. B-1381, rule 8, 1952).
13.16.160 Exclusion from city parks.
A. Notification of Exclusion. In addition to other penalties that may be imposed by law for the
violation of the posted rules and regulations and/or the commission of other offenses in city of Yakima
parks, Yakima police officers and the parks and recreation manager, or his/her designee, are
authorized to exclude from city parks an individual who they have probable cause to believe has
committed a crime or infraction while in a city of Yakima park. The notice of exclusion shall be in
writing and shall inform the affected person of the reason for the exclusion, referencing a police report
incident number is sufficient, the period of exclusion, and that failure to comply with the notice of
exclusion shall be grounds for criminal prosecution. Service of the notice of exclusion may be
accomplished by personal service or by mailing a copy, addressed to the person's last known
address, by certified and regular United States mail. Unless otherwise specified on the notice, the
period of exclusion shall take effect immediately upon actual or constructive receipt of the notice by
the person being excluded. A person may not defeat the effectiveness of a notice of exclusion by
refusing to accept the notice. Receipt of the notice of exclusion is construed to have been
accomplished five days after the notice is placed in the U.S. mail. Failure to immediately comply with
a notice of exclusion may subject the violator to prosecution for criminal trespass.
B. Appeal. A person who has been excluded from city parks, as described in subsection A of this
section, may submit a written request for a review of the exclusion. The request must be postmarked
by the United States Postal Service or received by the city clerk within ten calendar days after the
effective date of the exclusion. Upon receiving a timely request, the appointed hearings examiner
shall conduct a hearing in which the city may present evidence supporting the exclusion, including but
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not limited to evidence that the notice of exclusion procedures were followed, and that at the time of
the exclusion there was probable cause to believe a crime or infraction was committed in a city park
by the excluded individual. The excluded party may present evidence as to why the exclusion was
improper or should be reduced in time. This may be done by phone or in person at a time and
location determined by the appointed hearings examiner. Within ten calendar days following the
hearing, the appointed hearings examiner shall issue a written decision affirming, modifying or
terminating the exclusion. The appointed hearings examiner's decision shall be final.
C. Savings. If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this section is
declared invalid or unconstitutional for any reason, such decision shall not affect the validity of the
remaining portions of this section. (Ord. 2013-041 § 1 (part), 2013: Ord. 2011-48 § 1, 2011).
13.16.170 Misuse of playground apparatuses, park equipment, water playground features or
other park facilities prohibited.
No person shall in any manner use any of the playground apparatuses, park equipment, water
playground features or other park facilities for any purpose other than their intended purpose. (Ord.
2017-006 § 1, 2017).
13.16.180 Interfering with division personnel prohibited.
No person shall interfere with or in any manner hinder any employee or authorized volunteer of the
park and recreation division while the employee or authorized volunteer is engaged in constructing,
repairing, maintaining or caring for any park property, equipment, or facilities. (Ord. 2017-006 § 2,
2017).
13.20.020 Using park with unlawful intent or purpose.
It shall be unlawful for any person to enter upon or remain in any public park owned by the city of
Yakima with the intent or for the purpose of committing any unlawful act. (Ord. 1626 § 1 (part), 1974)
13.20.030 Park curfew imposed—Exceptions—Park posting and warning as conditions
precedent to conviction.
A. It is unlawful for any person to enter upon or remain in any public park owned by the city of
Yakima between the hours of ten p.m. and six a.m. of the following day, unless the presence of such
person in such park during prohibited hours is authorized by a park use permit issued pursuant to
YMC 13.16.100 or otherwise is incidental to an activity or function conducted by or under the
auspices of the department of parks and recreation of the city of Yakima.
B. No person shall be convicted for violating the curfew imposed by this section unless such
violation occurred in a park conspicuously posted with signs warning against entry into or remaining
in the park during prohibited hours.
C. No person shall be convicted for violating the curfew imposed by this section unless, prior to
being arrested, such person had been warned by a police officer of the conditions established by this
section.
D. The provisions of this chapter do not apply to any duly authorized city employee in the
performance of his or her duties. (Ord. 2013-034 § 1, 2013: Ord. 3103 § 1, 1988: Ord. 1626 § 1 (part),
1974).
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