895 G Fiscal Analysis FISCAL ANALYSIS
The following table identifies the estimated costs ' y•'v, '
of park and recreation facilities, by park x ' `
classification, as well as estimates of annual `s
maintenance costs. This table should be used
only as a guide in determining costs for each
facility. Cost estimates are difficult to determine
until a facility is construction ready. Rising real '!Y~ e~
estate prices, double digit inflation in the cost of
asphalt recently and multiple variables
associated with site design and park or trail
amenity make it difficult to predict the actual Cochrane Memoria! Park
development cost. For example, basic cost
estimates for an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible, one mile linear asphalt
trail 10 ft. wide with access control devices cost $750,000 in 2007 dollars (as reported in the
2007 Thurston Regional Trails Plan).
Table 15. Capital development projections, by park classification.
. .
Mini Parks $70,000 - $125,000 $6,000 -'$8,000
Neighborhood Parks $95,000 - $140,000 $8 - $12
Community Park $150,000 - $200,000 $10,000 - $15,000
Special Use Parks (e.g. Regional $150,000 - $220,000 $15,000
Sports Complex)
Trails & Pathways $20 -$40 per LF Varies, depending on type of trail
PARK AMENITY COSTS
Restrooms - $35,000 per stall
Picnic Shelter - $75,000
Table (ADA) - $650
Cement pad for tables - $2,500
Bench - $500
Cement pad for a bench -$1200
Barbeque - $175
Trash receptacle - $350
Drinking fountain - $1400
Playground (including construction,
drainage, safety surface, equipment) -
$50,000 - $60,000
Parking stall - $3,500 per stall
Source: Lacey Parks, Jim Sheler- February 2008, and Robert W. Dro!!, Landscape Architect, PS., TRPC Thurston Regiona!
Trarls Plan December 2007, and Parks and Recreafron Technica! Report for Thurston Highlands master Planned Communrty July
2007
Options for Public and Private Open Space and Parks Responsibility
A network of parks will continue to be important to quality of life and sustainability as Yelm continues to
grow. Opportunities for cooperation will need to be identified in order to meet park development and
Draft Yelm Parks & Recreation Plan - May 2008 47
maintenance demand. Planning for specific types of park spaces as part of new development plans can
compliment the existing City inventory of parks and open space. In addition, creative operation,
maintenance and ownership agreements between a jurisdiction and other parties may offer the
community efficient provision of parks and recreation spaces that contribute to a sustainable community.
Draff Yelm Parks & Recreation Plan - May 2008 48
Ownership Opportunity
A master planned community park or neighborhood park could be deeded to the City of Yelm
for City ownership and maintenance. Mini parks could be owned and maintained by the
homeowners' association. Special use park spaces like a Regional Sports Complex could also
be deeded to the City, with a joint public/private partnership for operations. Under a new
City of Yelm Parks and Recreation Department, the City could control use of the athletic
fields, parking and outdoor amenities (like landscaping). Commercial recreation facilities
(like a YMCA, batting cages, or anything for-profit) would remain private enterprise.
Agreements with schools for sharing maintenance, maintenance equipment, and other joint
use or operations could keep all publicly supported sports fields operating at their highest
capacity for the least cost.
, Mini parks would be incorporated as an open space requirement of the neighborhood or
subdivision that the park will serve. Most likely, the Covenants, Conditions and
Restrictions (CC&Rs) of each neighborhood development would impose measures to maintain
mini parks, as well as to minimize the impacts of park construction, upgrades or repairs on
existing homes and residents within the neighborhood that the park would serve.
Wetlands and wetland buffers preserved in various locations of the City of Yelm including
the master planned community would provide additional passive open space for specific
neighborhoods, or in certain areas along the perimeter of the site.
Applicable Regulations and Commitments
The City of Yelm will determine alternatives for the financial support of new park
construction, as well as maintenance and upgrades to existing parks and recreation facilities.
Short and long term priorities will be included in the City Capital Facilities Plan.
Other Recommended Mitigation Measures
The City of Yelm intends to maintain close coordination between development approvals for lot
applications and the amount of park land needed as identified in the Yelm Parks and Recreation Plan.
Funding Source Options (See Appendix B. for a more full description of these
sources)
A. Local Funding Options
Local agencies can fund park, open space and trail projects through a variety of ineasures. Some
funding measures are available to local governments but have not been enacted or implemented in the
Thurston Region.
1. Existing Local Options
Draft Yelm Parks & Recreation Plan - May 2008 49
a. General Funds
b. Special Revenue
c. General Obligation Bonds
d. Councilmanic Bonds
e. Local Improvement Districts (LID)
f. Environmental Impact Mitigation
g. Growth Impact Fee
h. Inter-Local Agreement
i. User Fees and Charges
Draft Yelm Parks & Recreation Plan - May 2008 50
2. Local Options Not Currently Enacted
All but d. are enabled by state law, but not enacted in the Thurston Region:
a. Commercial Parking Tax, RCW 82.80.030
b. Motor Vehicle License Fee, RCW 82.80.020
c. Transportation Benefit District, RCW 36.73
d. Additional REET (Real Estate Excise Tax)
B: Federal and State Funding Options
1. Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP): Provides funds for acquisition and
development of conservation and recreation lands. This grant program is administered through
Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO).
a. The Habitat Conservation Account
b. Outdoor Recreation Account
c. Youth Athletic Facility (YAF) Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO}.
2. Thurston Regional Surface Transportation Program (STP), Federal Highways
Administration
3. Transportation Enhancements (TE) Program, Federal Highway Administration
4. The Safe Routes to School Program, Washington State Department of Transportation and
Federal Highways Administration
5. Small City Sidewalk Program, Washington Transportation Improvement Board (TIB):
6. Washington State Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program, Washington State Department
of Transportation
7. Grade Safety Grant program, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
(WUTC)
8. Public Work Trust Funds administered by the State of Washington, Department of
Community, Trade and Economic Development
C. Private Revenue Options
1. Special use agreements
2. Public/Private Service Contracts
3. Public/Private Concessions
4. Public/Private Joint Development Ventures
5. Self-Help Land Leases
6. Self-help Contract Agreements
Draft Yelm Parks & Recreation Plan - May 2008 51
General Funding Strategies.
Funding sources should generally be matched to specific needs to avoid duplication and take advantage
of each fund's specific possibilities. Consider the following examples.
Program services: Fees and charges could be used to finance program services to the maximum
extent possible and practical to provide cosUbenefit equities and efficiencies. General funds could be
used to cover shortages where fees cannot be readily collected, as in most special events, or where
fees may not be easily raised to cover all operating costs for programs the City deems to have special
social benefits to the city.
Facility operation, maintenance, and minor construction: General funds could be used to pay
operation and maintenance costs for facilities and activities that cannot be financed with fees and
charges or financed with other funding methods. General funds are flexible and can be adjusted to
meet annual programming variations or priorities.
Where appropriate, maintenance and operation funds for facilities that are impacted by urban growth
area users should be reimbursed or provided by the city and school district subject to the pending
resolution of an inter-local agreement on planning and services.
The funds collected from the excise tax on real estate sales (REET) could be used to finance minor
construction improvements to existing properties. The money could also be used to help purchase
sites when opportunities arise that cannot await other, less flexible funding methods. Like general
funds, the money collected from excise taxes are flexible and can be adjusted to meet annual
programming needs or sudden changes in priorities or opportunities.
Recreation facility development: Recreation facilities such as athletic fields in particular, are
important to the City programs but may satisfy relatively small proportions of the population compared
with park and trail facilities. Bonds, levies, and other fixed forms of financing could be used to pay for
the development of parks, trails and other facilities that residents assign high priorities (see survey
priorities below). Recreational facilities with low to moderate priorities should be financed with
general funds, excise tax revenues, and other more flexible sources of financing.
The city could investigate possibilities for implementing a wide range ofjoint recreational facility
developments with the county and school district. The goal of any joint venture agreement would be
to better match costs/benefits with users, avoid duplication, save cost, increase service, and allow
each agency to make the best use of funds.
Draft Yelm Parks & Recreation Plan - May 2008 52
Parks, natural areas and trail development: Parks and trails benefit the largest percentage of the
population and will probably be easier to obtain voted bond or property tax levy issues than for more
specialized uses. General obligation bond or special property tax levy packages could finance high
priority park, conservancies and trail acquisition and development proposals. When necessary and
appropriate, Councilmanic bonds could be used to purchase sites when opportunities require fast
action, or to match possible State of Washington Interagency (RCO) state or federal grants for park
and trail developments.
Special development: Some proposed projects represent unique facilities that may not be easily
financed with conventional funding methods. The City could explore the opportunities that may be
available for the development and funding of joint public/private facilities with private property owners
or developer. Joint ventures could save costs, reduce annual program requirements and provide city
residents services and facilities not available otherwise.
Growth impact fee mitigation: Continued residential development in the city and its urban growth
area stress existing facilities and services. Environmental and growth impact fees mitigation
measures should be investigated in accordance with the Washington State Growth Management Act
(GMA) as a means of preserving unique sites and of requiring land developers to help finance facility
development offsetting project impacts.
Draft Yelm Parks & Recreation Plan - May 2008 53