Port Orchard planners outline three concepts for Sherman Avenue stormwater park; public survey open through July 12

Connor Dawquis, the city's associate planner, presented an update on the Sherman Avenue Stormwater Park project and described three preliminary park alternatives for the 30-acre site purchased by the city in 2022. The site is located at the south end of Sherman Avenue, just west of Southeast Cedric Road and north of Highway 16, and includes flat terrain near Sherman Avenue and steep slopes and Blackjack Creek on the eastern side.

"The city has been developing three preliminary park alternatives," Dawquis said, describing outreach that has included mailers, door hangers, business outreach, a project webpage and two community workshops. He said staff hosted a design workshop on May 28 that drew about 15 residents and that the online survey "remain[s] open through July 12th, 2026." The survey results and workshop feedback will guide staff as they refine the three alternatives into a preferred concept for later public review.

The three concepts are:
- Trails and conservation park: emphasizes quiet, low-maintenance walking trails, native vegetation, wetland overlooks and minimal built infrastructure. Staff presented case studies showing how stormwater facilities can double as natural, educational spaces.
- Family nature park: blends nature-based play, looped walking paths, picnic shelters and viewing platforms to create a family-friendly setting while retaining stormwater features for education.
- Community garden and recreation park: the most active concept, with community garden plots near the entrance, flexible gathering spaces, courts, open lawn and a small disc-golf loop, while maintaining trails that connect to natural buffers near Blackjack Creek.

Commissioners asked about the planning commission's role in the process and how a preferred concept will be selected. Jim Fisk, principal planner, said staff will compare workshop feedback with survey themes and return with a refined preferred concept and that the commission would provide a recommendation to city council. "If you have an opinion on it, I'd encourage you to take the survey," staff said.

A local resident speaking during discussion said they favored the Trails and Conservation option because it would be the least obtrusive and would reduce potential repair costs after storm events given the park's stormwater function. Commissioners and staff discussed additional outreach options, including tabling at the farmers market in late June to capture more input.

Next steps: staff will continue to collect survey responses through July 12, 2026, analyze workshop input, and use that combined input to refine the three alternatives into a single preferred concept that will return to the public and the commission for review.