7. OPEN SPACE/PARKS

Four major park sites are critical to the Downtown’s feeling of openness and greenery. These parks weave a leisure-time thread into the fabric of the area and provide a valuable amenity, enhancing Downtown’s appeal as a destination. Each of the major approaches to the Downtown is met with a park, with Heritage Park enhancing the northern entry, Marina Park enhancing both the northern entry and western entry via Lake Washington, and Peter Kirk Park and Dave Brink Park augmenting the eastern and southern approaches. Physical improvements in and near these parks should strengthen their visual prominence and prevent view obstruction.

Figure MB-9: Lakeshore Plaza at Marina Park Concept Sketch

Policy MB-33:

Explore the construction of a large public plaza west of buildings on Lake Street to enhance the Downtown’s lakefront setting and provide much needed open space while not reducing existing parking supply and increasing usable green space.

The Lakeshore Plaza shown in Figure MB-9 envisions a large public plaza constructed over structured parking. Ideally, the plaza would be developed through public/private partnerships to provide a seamless connection between the Downtown and the lake. The plaza would be at the same grade as Lake Street and would provide visual and pedestrian access from a series of at-grade pedestrian connections from Central Way and Lake Street.

Policy MB-34:

Physical improvements in and near parks should strengthen their visual prominence and prevent view obstruction.

Marina Park and Peter Kirk Park in particular are well used by families and recreational groups. Public facilities at these parks should continue to expand opportunities for all community members such as the installation of permanent street furniture.

Policy MB-35:

Enhance parks in the Moss Bay neighborhood consistent with the provisions in the City’s PROS plan.

All planning efforts regarding parks in Kirkland are done through the outreach and update of the City’s PROS plan and participation should be encouraged during public outreach to better serve the community.

Policy MB-36:

Public facilities at parks should continue to expand opportunities for the entire community, including the installation of permanent street furniture, interactive amenities, and programming.

Updating physical features and the uses within the park is something that keeps the park fresh, vibrant and encourages more usage end enjoyment by the community.

Policy MB-37:

Consider developing a Marina expansion plan to promote economic development and tourism in the Downtown area.

The redevelopment of the marina at Marina Park could support the local businesses by expanding it to accept larger boats and more slips. Any redevelopment should be designed and operated in an environmentally responsible manner that adds jobs and revenue while not adding a burden to the parking supply or congestion in Downtown.

Policy MB-38:

Explore the redevelopment of Peter Kirk Park and surrounding city-owned facilities into a major regional recreational facility to increase access and opportunity for the entire community.

A new regional recreational facility could address a need in the community for year-round indoor pools and meeting space, new fields and courts along with supporting parking facilities. In addition to meeting community need, a redevelopment plan could also be a catalyst for additional economic development opportunities.

Policy MB-39:

Promote nonmotorized watercraft usage along Lake Washington, with a node in Downtown.

Encouraging water-oriented retail services, launching facilities, and wayfinding signage can help attract new business that support ecologically friendly use of Moss Bay’s waterfront setting and promote tourist opportunities that benefit the neighborhood’s economy.