Mercer Island staff outline timeline for 2028 PROS plan, joint kickoff set for December

City staff told the Parks and Recreation Commission on Oct. 1 that the city has begun the formal process for the 2028 Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) plan. Interim recreation manager Katie Bizog said City Council approved the PROS plan scope of work on Sept. 15 and that the plan is required to be adopted by March 1, 2028.

"City Council approved the pros plan scope of work on September 15," Bizog said. She said a consultant solicitation is underway and staff expects a joint project kickoff meeting with the Parks and Recreation Commission, Arts Council and Open Space Conservancy Trust in December 2026. Staff also noted a “Let’s Talk” project website is under development to gather community input during the planning process.

The staff presentation positioned the commission as the designated lead for the planning process and urged commissioners to collect and submit proposed bylaw changes or agenda feedback ahead of scheduled deadlines. The commission will review progress at upcoming meetings, including a Dec. 7 joint PROS kickoff and a Nov. 5 meeting focused on bylaws and capital project updates.

Next steps: consultant selection and public outreach; formal adoption of the PROS plan is targeted for March 1, 2028.