Staff provided the City Council a Twin Springs Park Phase 1 Capital Improvement Project (CIP) update at the July 15, 2024 Council meeting.  Staff recommended that work stop on the Phase 1 CIP scope (described below) due to increasing costs and challenges with permitting and obtaining permissions from King County.  Staff recommended that the project scope be reduced to a maintenance/operations project for minor improvements (described below) to the southern parking lot and limited park amenities that would allow the park to officially open as a passive use, natural area.

Current Twin Springs Park Phase 1 Capital Improvement Project Description:  

The proposed project includes the following improvements: 

1. Construction of an approximate 2,000 sq.ft. compacted gravel area adjacent to the northern access road to accommodate up to six cars.
2. Construction of 170 linear foot compacted gravel pathway from the northern parking area to the open grass area.
3. Construction of a 5’ x 5’ feet concrete pad to provide for future installation of a small maintenance shed and/or porta potty.
4. Construction of a new waterline in the northern access road to provide for future irrigation and/or community garden (requires an easement from King County).
5. Construction of a new surface water line in the northern access road to address surface water requirements for proposed grading and impervious surfaces (requires an easement from King County and approval of drainage plans).
6. Refurbishing the existing parking lot and access at the southern entrance (striping, wheel stops, ADA sign).

Staff recommended proceeding with #6 only plus several other incidental changes not listed above. Staff does not recommend moving forward with #1-5 above. See discussion below.

Proposed Twin Springs Maintenance/Operations Project Description:

The Public Works Operations Director estimated that the following improvements (supplies and labor) would cost between $15,000 to $20,000 to refurbish the southern parking lot only.  If the State approves the reduction of scope and budget, then this cost may be reimbursed by the State Appropriation.  Alternatively, the cost would be covered by the Public Works operations budget.  The proposed scope would not trigger any land use/engineering permits. 

• Refurbishing the existing southern parking area (paving, striping, wheel stops, ADA sign, fence repair).
• Installing signage for a 4-way stop at the 80th Avenue/192nd Street intersection. This intersection is currently a 3-way stop.
• Park rules sign at the southern entrance.
• Small park entry sign at the southern entrance.
• Dog waste station.
• Garbage can.
• Picnic table and/or bench.

May 2024 - Construction Phase: Pending King County and Permit review/approval, the project would be advertised for bid by a general contractor followed by Council review and approval.

Jan/Feb 2024 - Permit Phase: A Drainage Report and updated Site Plans are being prepared for submission of the site development permit.    

The SEPA Checklist was submitted and the final SEPA Determination will be provided with the final approval of the development permit. Critical Areas Report was not required.   

Simultaneous Review of: SEPA 21-0112: SEPA Determination and ENG 21-0853: Site Development Permit 

SEPA 21-0112 SEPA Checklist Submitted and Review Complete awaiting final review of ENG 21-0853. 

ENG 21-0853 Plan Revisions including a Drainage Report is in Process for Resubmittal and Review. 

• Interim design was postponed hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The design and permitting phase resumed in 2022.
• The design will create a gravel parking area and a pedestrian path to the park's open meadow from the 195th St. access road from of 80th Ave NE.  

• 2016-2017: Council authorized agreements to be executed to transfer the 25 acres from King County to the City. A condition of the property transfer is that the property must be used for public park, recreation or open space.
• The City received recorded agreements and a deed transferring the property from King County to the City. 
• The Council direction was to keep the park property closed to the public pending: 1. Development of an interim plan; 2. Allocation of resources for plan implementation; 3. Recommendations of the Public Works Service Analysis in relation to bringing on a new park facility are available to consider in developing a maintenance plan.
• Budget allocation of $40,000 for development of an interim plan.
• Council authorized execution of a contract with the Berger partnership to develop an interim plan.
• Data collection and site analysis to understand the sites physical assets and limits as well as regulatory realities.
• Open house and online survey to receive public input and ideas for an interim plan and ideas for longer-term improvements.
• Second open house to present concepts to reflect community feedback on the interim plan.
• Prepare interim plan document including a narrative and graphic package and high-level cost assumptions. This plan would also address parking, access and pedestrian routes along 80th Ave NE. This package would also be a tool to help forward funding of the future park improvements through grants and other opportunities.
• 2018: Present interim plan and cost information to Council.