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Current Status
Staff is currently completing final design and permitting for this project. Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2010 or early 2011, if funding is available.
Staff recently requested input from neighbors about the type of playground equipment they'd like to see in the park. A summary of the comments received is now available:
Click the following links, or scroll down the page, to access additional project information:
Project Description
This 4.2-acre property is located at 6916 NE 94th Ave., on the east side of I-205 in the Maple Tree/Five Corners area. The undeveloped property is long and narrow with open grassy areas and a few scattered trees.
Park design modified to accommodate road extension
In early 2010, project staff was informed by the transporatation department that it must connect NE 90th Avenue across the west side of the park as part of the park development. This requirement changed the layout of the park. The new road section will have two full-width lanes, curb, gutter and sidewalks. Parking will not be allowed on it.
In order to accommodate the new roadway through the park, staff had to remove the future skateboarding spot from the plan. Locating it on the piece of property next to I-205 was not possible because it would create potential safety problems with children walking and skating back and forth across the new road in order to access the entire park.
The revised concept plan includes:
- Walking/biking trail
- Playground
- Multi-use sports court
- Informal play field
- Picnic tables
- Benches
- Landscaping, bike rack, drinking fountain, garbage cans and signage
A brief history of the Covington name
Neighbors were invited to vote on the official name for the park in August 2009, and "Covington Neighborhood Park"
won. The Covington name has a long history in this neighborhood. Richard and Ann Covington settled in Clark County in the 1840s and owned most of land in this neighborhood, including the park property. They originally worked as schoolteachers for the Hudson’s Bay Company. Richard Covington later became Justice of the Peace, County Clerk and school superintendent in Clark County.
Why is this park being developed?
This property was originally acquired by Clark County with the intention of developing it as a neighborhood park once funding was available to maintain it. In 2005, voters in the unincorporated urban area of the county approved a ballot measure that created the Greater Clark Parks District. This special taxing district provides maintenance and operations funding for 30 new neighborhood parks, five new community parks, seven miles of new trail and additional youth sports fields. Covington Neighborhood Park was one of the 30 neighborhood park properties that were identified as being part of the Greater Clark Parks District during the campaign. It is now being developed as part of this program.
Project Schedule
Spring-Summer 2009: Planning and preliminary design phase; public feedback obtained; proposed concept plan developed.
Fall 2009: Proposed concept plan presented to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission for approval; planning phase ends; final design and permitting phase begins.
Fall 2009-fall 2010: Design and permitting phase completed.
Late 2010/early 2011: Construction scheduled to begin if funding is available.
Please note that this schedule is approximate and is subject to change.
Public Participation
Project staff relied on public participation to help guide park layout during the concept planning process. Your input:
- Helped us understand and respond to the needs and concerns of your neighborhood.
- Helped us understand which park features are most important to you and your neighbors.
- Helped us learn about the potential for community fundraising and volunteer project to add features to the park.
The first project newsletter and comment form was mailed out to neighbors in May 2009. Several different develoption options were then developed based the input we receive, the project budget and specific site conditions. These plans were presented to neighbors for review and input at a public meeting in July 2009. Neighbors then received the updated concept plan drawing in a newsletter mailer for final review and input in early September 2009. Neighbors were also invited to provide input about the type of playground equipment used in the park in June 2010.
For regularly updated information about this project, sign up for the project e-mailing list by filling out the electronic form at the bottom of this Web page.
June 2010 outreach materials:
September 2009 newsletter (PDF 1.7MB)
July 2009 public meeting documents:
May 2009 newsletter and comment form mailing:
Project Funding
Design and construction of Covington Neighborhood Park is funded by park impact fees, which are paid whenever a new residential property is developed, and the real estate excise tax, which is paid whenever property is sold. Maintenance of the park will be funded by the Greater Clark Parks District, a special district approved by voters in the unincorporated urban area of Clark County in 2005.
Contact Information:
Elizabeth Jordan, Project Manager
Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation
Phone:
360-619-1121
E-mail: Elizabeth.Jordan@cityofvancouver.us
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