Background

As part of the Master Parks, Trails and Recreation Plan, the development of a "green spine" or linear style park is planned in the Windermere neighborhood as adjacent lots develop. The developer of this neighborhood, D.R. Horton is planning a new subdivision of 114 homes on approximately 41 acres of land, and would be bisected by the park and trails. As part of the development, the developer is proposing to work with city staff to design and build the green spine. 

Proposal 

The proposal for the green spine would include four park nodes and a trail which can be accesed by all residents to the north and south, and would connect into the planned community park south of 17th Avenue. The four nodes include a pollinator garden, a sensory play node, a water play node, and a food and edibles node with fruiting trees and perennial berries. Staff will work with the developer on the acquisition of any play equipment and throughout final design. 

The developer is also planning a small land swap with the city in the northeast portion of the development. The city would give the developer 4,798 square feet of land in exchange for 7,550 square feet. As this would be a net gain of park land for the city, staff has no concerns with this swap. An exhibit to attached to this report. 

Consistency with Master Parks, Trail and Recreation Plan

The Master Parks, Trail and Recreation Plan calls for the above nodes to appear within the park (Pages 230-243 from the  Master Parks, Trail and Recreation Plan are included as an attachment to this item). The only deviation is that the plan calls for community garden elements such as raised planters and garden beds. As the developer is not planning a home owners association, staff finds that overseeing the garden beds each season as well as maintenance is not feasible. All other proposed nodes are consistent with the plan.