Whittier Park Master Plan

Welcome!

This page will be updated routinely with information regarding the Whittier Park Master Plan.

“Why is Whittier Park undergoing a master plan?”

Whittier Park, nestled across 13 acres at the junction of Elm Tree Lane and Contra Costa Avenue, has evolved over time, and numerous enhancements are now approaching the end of their operational lifespan, necessitating substantial maintenance or replacement. To guide potential future improvements, the City decided to seek insights from Fircrest residents by engaging a Landscape Architecture firm to oversee the Whittier Master Plan. This process aims to update current resident preferences and prioritize forthcoming enhancements based on direct input from the community as these preferences evolve.

4/25/24 Update: Whittier Master Plan Public Meeting #3 Summary

The community meeting began promptly at 6 pm with a brief presentation lasting approximately 30 minutes. AHBL provided an overview of the process covered in previous meetings. As in the two previous meetings, we had around 50 people in attendance, making it yet another successful turnout! Boards from previous meetings were prominently displayed on the other side of the gym for reference. AHBL expertly guided attendees through both final options, highlighting their similarities and differences, thus helping to familiarize everyone with the proposed plans.

Following the presentation, AHBL invited attendees to take a closer look at the plans and engage in discussions with both AHBL team members and Fircrest staff. AHBL team members were strategically stationed around the room and at the two final options stations, ready to address any questions or concerns. The public was encouraged to provide feedback through comment forms, sticky notes, and a dot exercise.

The final step of the evening was to ensure that all attendees submitted a ballot, selecting their preferred option and providing reasons for their choice, along with any additional comments or design considerations. It was a positive and engaging event, allowing community members to actively participate and contribute their valuable input to the decision-making process.

Whittier Master Plan Concept A

Whittier Master Plan Concept B

Below, you’ll find a link to a comment form. After reviewing the two preferred plans presented on April 25th, you can leave comments by clicking the link.

Whittier Park Master Plan Meeting #3 Comment Form

Next Steps: The comment period will conclude on May 17th. At that time, AHBL will tabulate all comments for processing and incorporation into the final plan. Subsequently, AHBL will present the final plan to the Fircrest City Council during either a regularly scheduled City Council Meeting or a City Council Study Session.

Whittier Park Master Plan Survey Results Summary

Click Image to View Survey Results

4/10/24 Update: Whittier Master Plan Public Meeting #3 

12/21/23 Update: Whittier Master Plan Public Meeting #2 

Over 50 community members actively participated in the second outreach session for the Whittier Master Plan held on December 14th at 6:30 PM in the Community Center. During this meeting, attendees were offered various opportunities to provide input.

Voting: Attendees were requested to rank concepts in order of preference. While this won’t determine the advancement of a single plan, it assists in understanding community inclinations. AHBL, the Architecture firm, will combine this data with survey responses, notes from the initial meeting, and other feedback to grasp current resident preferences for Whittier Park, forming the groundwork for the Master Plan.

Dot Exercise: Each participant received four dots to place on concept boards, indicating design elements they wish to see in the final master plan. Post-it notes were encouraged to elaborate on why particular choices were made.

Comments: A board labeled ‘Make a Great Park for the Neighborhood’ provided space for attendees to note down comments, new ideas, or any other suggestions.

These invaluable contributions from the community will steer the creation of the Whittier Park Master Plan, ensuring it resonates with the wishes and requirements of Fircrest residents. Below, you’ll find a link to the slides shared during Community Meeting #2.

Master Plan Meeting #2 Slides

12/06/2023 Update:

Dear Community Members,

We’re thrilled to remind you of the Second Whittier Park Master Plan Public Meeting, scheduled for Thursday, December 14th. This gathering marks a crucial phase in the development of Whittier Park’s future, and your presence and input are essential to shaping it into a space that resonates with our community’s needs and desires.

During this meeting, slated to begin at 6:30 PM at the Roy H. Murphy Community Center, we will unveil three comprehensive master plan concepts for Whittier Park. It’s an opportunity for everyone to engage, review, and share their insights on these proposed plans. Your feedback will play a pivotal role in determining the direction of this significant project.

We understand that schedules can be tight, but we truly hope to see you there. Your voice matters. Together, we can envision and create a park that reflects the diversity, interests, and aspirations of our community.

For those unable to attend, we value your opinions just as much. In our ongoing effort to gather comprehensive feedback, there’s a survey available on our website. Your participation in this survey ensures your thoughts and ideas contribute to the conversation about Whittier Park’s future.

This meeting is not just about planning a park. It’s about fostering community spirit, collaboration, and inclusivity. It’s about creating a space where every member feels welcomed and represented.

Let’s shape the future of Whittier Park together. Your input is invaluable, and your presence at this meeting is highly anticipated.

For More Information, Contact: Jeff Grover, Parks & Recreation Director Phone: (253) 238-4160 Email: jgrover@cityoffircrest.net

Event Page: Whittier Master Plan Public Comment Meeting – City of Fircrest

Take the Survey: Whittier Park Survey (jotform.com)

11/17/2023 Update:

The survey period has ended, and the survey is now closed. However, we still value your input. Please feel free to share any information or comments regarding the Whittier Master Plan with Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Grover at jgrover@cityoffircrest.net.

The City of Fircrest successfully hosted its inaugural Public Engagement Meeting on November 16th, 2023, drawing an attendance of over 60 participants. AHBL, the City’s contracted landscape architect, facilitated this event in the form of an open house to unveil the Whittier Park Master Plan Project and gather initial community input. The meeting adopted a conventional open house approach, presenting informational boards and providing staff assistance to address inquiries and collect comments. Attendees were actively encouraged to share their thoughts using comment forms, sticky notes, and a dot exercise. AHBL will now compile this feedback to craft three distinct park designs, slated for discussion at the forthcoming Public Engagement Meeting on December 14th! Kindly spare a moment to complete the online survey, contributing to the ongoing information collection for the Whittier Park Master Plan.

https://form.jotform.com/FircrestParksandRecreation/whittier-park-survey

Stay Informed, Save the Date!

Whittier Park Master Plan Public Engagement Meeting

Come to the first public engagement for your neighborhood park!
You and your family are invited to a public meeting to provide input on your needs and wants for the Whittier Park Master Plan.
Major decisions about what this park will look like are being made during this time, so your participation is encouraged

Whittier Park is located at the corner of Elm Tree LN and Contra Costa Ave.

We want to hear from you!

When: Thursday, November 16th, 6:30 PM
Where: Roy H. Murphy Community Center – 555 Contra Costa Ave, Fircrest WA 98466

For more information contact:

Jeff Grover
Fircrest Parks & Recreation Director
(253) 238-4160
jgrover@cityoffircrest.net