The City of Olympia spent more than four years developing a Parks, Arts, and Recreation Plan for the City.  Here's a thumbnail of what it includes:

$124 million in capital expenditures for land and development.  A portion would come from the increase in the utility tax, and the balance from existing taxes, impact fees, grants, donations, and other sources.

Two new Community Parks

168 acres of Open Space

Nine major trails

Nine new neighborhood parks

Six new "special use" parks

In the early years of the plan, the focus is on land acquisition, so that needed parcels can be secured before prices increase any more.  A total of about 550 acres is scheduled for purchase.

Two new community parks will have ballfields and other sports facilities.  These are larger parks, up to 50 acres in size.

The neighborhood parks are designed to eventually put a park within a half-mile of virtually every home in Olympia.

"Special Use" areas include a site for a future Art Center, a future Aquatic Center, and completion of the Heritage Fountain site.

Trails include some real lasting legacies for our community:

  The Olympia Woodland Trail (a portion is already open)

  Percival Canyon Trail

  West Bay Trail and Park

  Chambers Creek Trail

  Mission Creek Trail

The full plan is available online at:

http://www.ci.olympia.wa.us/par/about_us/plan/default.asp

A complete list of projects expected to be funded in the first 10 years is available at:  http://www.ci.olympia.wa.us/council/packets/pdf/20040621/SSParksWalkingListATT1.pdf