City of Kent seeks feedback on Morrill Meadows Park plans

Published 4:08 pm Monday, August 8, 2016

Kent city officials want residents to provide feedback on three preliminary park layouts for a new, combined Morrill Meadows and East Hill Park which will also be home to a YMCA.

The results of a June community survey have been used to inform the preliminary concepts for the new combined park, each proposing a unique approach to how the parks should be reconfigured and the features the new park should include. All include dog parks.

The parks are along Southeast 248th Street, just east of 104th Avenue Southeast.

Some, but not all, of the other features are highlighted below:

• Option A – Natural Immersion

YMCA closest to SE 248th St.

Sport courts integrated with an expanded trail network

Picnic plaza

Outdoor classroom

• Option B – Y on the Green

YMCA centrally located on the site

Three-season event plaza

Outdoor exercise stations

Rock-climbing wall/tennis backboard

• Option C – Art in the Park

YMCA located at the back of the site

Art and cultural installations integrated into planting/seating areas

Space for arts festivals/events

Sport courts/volleyball courts

Residents can learn more about the three preliminary concepts and provide feedback at MyKentParks.com through Thursday, Aug. 25.

Interim Parks Co-Director Garin Lee said Morrill Meadows and the adjacent East Hill Park are outdated.

“Part of the project will be to reconfigure and update the parks to function better as a single park, as well as to decide where in the park the YMCA will be built.” Lee said. “This round of feedback will help us determine if people have strong feelings for or against certain proposed features, as well as whether or not there is an overall concept respondents prefer.”

Mayor Suzette Cooke and YMCA leaders last year signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to build an estimated $25 million recreational facility and pool. A YMCA fundraising campaign will pay for the complex.

Construction of the first phase of the park renovations is expected to begin in 2017.