Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan

The City of Ellensburg is working to develop the 2026-2032 Park, Recreation, Open Space (PROS) and Sustainable Funding Plan.  The park plan update is a planning document shaped by citizen participation and input that will be used to assist City staff, the Parks & Recreation Commission, and City Council with decisions related to City recreation programs, facilities, and parks and open space.

At the June 2, 2025, City Council meeting, the City Council approved a professional services agreement with MIG for development of the PROS plan. Review the presentation here.

The planning process will update the 2016 Plan to create a realistic and community-supported investment strategy for park improvements and operations.

The planning process will:

  • Identify community priorities for the next 10 years.
  • Identify needs for parks, outdoor and indoor recreation facilities, and programs.
  • Create a prioritized capital improvement plan.
  • Identify a sustainable funding strategy to balance desired improvements, development, and ongoing operations.
  • Ensure Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) compliance for grant applications.

Background/Project Overview

The City of Ellensburg owns and manages approximately 250 acres of parks and open space, including three (3) year around recreational facilities.  

The most recent PROS plan was adopted by the City Council in March 2016, the City has completed a number of park development projects, lost an indoor recreational facility to a fire, and added a significant number of recreational programs.  The PROS Plan now needs to be updated to include these efforts, and to comply with the Recreation and Conservation Funding Board, Manual 2 “Planning Policies and Guidelines” as provided by the State of Washington.

The sustainable funding component of the project would include an analysis of developing a metropolitan park district model, as well as any other similar options, and an analysis of the City’s park impact fee rates and recommendations.

The City’s three (3) year-round indoor recreational facilities include; the Kittitas Valley Memorial Pool & Fitness Center, Adult Activity Center, and the Stan Bassett Youth Center.  Additionally, the City is currently planning for the construction of a fieldhouse that could include hard court surfaces for activities such as basketball, volleyball, and racquet sports, as well as a field turf for activities such as baseball, softball, soccer, football, and rugby.

Scope of Work

This planning project will be guided by a diverse project team composed of City staff, community members, Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC), and the Ellensburg City Council.  The team will provide input to the selected consulting team throughout the planning process.

The project will consist of the following tasks:

1. Needs Assessment and Public Involvement

  • Review of the previous planning efforts, and city historical and cultural information.
  • Evaluate the profile of the community, demographic trends, future growth potential, and 2024 census data.
  • Extensive community involvement effort including focus groups, meetings with key stakeholders, neighborhood and community-wide public meetings, survey at-large community events, polling, and other types of surveys.  
  • Research of trends and statistics related to lifestyles to help guide recreation and health/wellness programming and facility development.

 2. Inventory

  • Inventory of parks and facilities using existing mapping, staff interviews, and on-site visits to verify amenities and assess the condition of the facilities and surrounding areas.   

3. Assessment and Analysis

  • Review and evaluate relevant plans.
  • Assess organizational strengths, weaknesses and opportunities.
  • Analyze level of service that is feasible and aligned with the desires of the community as expressed through the public involvement process.
  • Analyze level of service needed for projected growth in Ellensburg.
  • Explore finance and funding mechanisms to support development and sustainability of the system.  Polling to include tolerance of funding methods.

4. Recommendations: Goals, Objectives, and Action Plan

  • Identify and categorize recommendations into themes with goals, objectives, and an action plan for implementation.
  • Develop an action plan for capital improvements including cost, funding source potentials, and timeframe to support the implementation of the plan.
  • Develop a funding strategy, including recommended park impact fees adjustments.
  • Prepare draft and final reports, including text, graphics, maps, park plans, etc. in electronic format for final adoption and distribution.

Relevant Documents

2016 PROS Plan
July 9, 2025 PROS Plan Presentation to the Parks & Recreation Commission
Public Draft of the Ellensburg Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Sustainable Funding Plan (PROS Plan)
Park inventory appendix

Community Engagement

The PROS Plan survey received 1,125 responses from community members. 

Park consultants attended the October 8 Parks & Recreation Commission meeting and provided a PROS Plan Update.

Review PROS Plan Draft & Provide Feedback

Ellensburg PROS Plan Draft coverThe public draft of the Ellensburg Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Sustainable Funding Plan (PROS Plan) is available for review, along with the park inventory appendix.

You can use this form to comment on the Public Draft of Ellensburg's Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Sustainable Funding Plan (PROS Plan). This long-range plan establishes a strategic framework and funding strategy for the future acquisition, maintenance, development, renovation and restoration of Ellensburg’s parks, recreation facilities, natural open spaces, trail corridors, programs, and services over the next 10 years. The City will review all feedback before issuing the Final Plan.