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	Oct. 23, 2002 Sims announces new vision for Marymoor Park King County Executive Ron Sims outlined a new, broad-ranging "Marymoor Vision" today, detailing new plans for an outdoor concert series, a golf driving range, and an athletic field complex at the County's 640-acre Marymoor Park near Redmond. Sims said exciting new projects at the regional park are examples of how the County plans to do business differently by exploring new and innovative concepts that enhance services and generate revenue for parks maintenance in the future. These changes are being driven by the 2003 budget crisis, in which reduced funding has resulted in parks being transferred to cities or closed unless creative solutions are found to support their ongoing costs. "King County currently subsidizes Marymoor Park operations for about $600,000 annually. These projects contained in our new Marymoor Vision will not only further enhance this park; they will also allow the park to eventually pay for itself," said Sims. Sims added, "Marymoor Park is the perfect flagship for this effort, because it already contains a wonderful mix of active and passive areas. Our new way of doing business for parks is all about entrepreneurial ideas, productive partnerships and enhancing the public's parks experience." Factors critical to determining which enhancements can be included as part of the "Marymoor Vision" are that each new program complement the park's character and that they can be built or added in already-developed active areas. Funds raised will be used to pay for Marymoor Park maintenance and operation. Elements of the Marymoor Vision, as announced today, include: Outdoor Concerts: Eight to 14 outdoor summer concerts produced on park grounds, expected to raise between $150,000 and $300,000 per year. Sims said the series could bring in up to $1.5 million over the five-year agreement. The concerts would seat no more than 5,000 people, which is small compared to large-scale events such as WOMAD (40,000 people per day) and the Puget Sound Festival (75,000 per day) that the park has already successfully accommodated. King County is working with Dave Littrell of The Lakeside Group. The concert series will begin summer 2003. Golf Driving Range: King County is currently negotiating a long-term lease agreement for the driving range. In addition to providing a new amenity for park users, the range is projected to generate between $200,000 to $400,000 per year in new revenue. The driving range would be located in an active use area near the Velodrome. This project would be constructed in already-developed active-use areas at no cost to King County taxpayers. The driving range is expected to open mid-2003. Athletic Field Complex: Negotiations are underway between King County and the Lake Washington Youth Soccer Association to build four new athletic fields and improve four more fields. King County would, under the agreement, lease a portion of the parkland to the soccer association, which would build, maintain, and schedule the athletic field complex. The association is proposing the capital project be financed through a private bond sale to convert four existing sand fields into Field Turf fields, and build up to four new Field Turf fields. Field Turf - the same playing surface as at Husky Stadium and Seahawks Stadium - can be played on 12 months a year, seven days a week in all conditions. This project would also be constructed in already-developed active-use areas at no cost to King County taxpayers. King County will receive a modest amount of revenue for the lease. Construction of the initial phase of the athletic complex will happen by mid-June 2003. Clise Mansion: King County will sign a letter of intent to explore new revenue generation ideas at the Clise Mansion, including expansion of the existing concession agreement with the vendor that currently operates half the Clise Mansion. That could mean marketing the facility for more weddings, corporate retreats, and smaller events. Parking Fee: King County is also planning to implement a parking fee. The amount has not yet been determined. There also will be a drop-off site identified for those who only wish to pick- up and drop-off passengers. Annual passes will also be made available for regular park users who visit daily to enjoy the park for such things as a walk with their dog or play in an organized league. When coupled with all the other revenue enhancements, this parking fee will allow the park to generate net revenues that can be applied to other portions of the park system that cannot generate revenues or cannot pay for themselves, for example the trail system, passive parks, small neighborhood parks, and natural lands. If passed as part of the King County budget, parking fees will go into effect February or March of 2003. Friends of Marymoor Park, a group of users interested in enhancing the quality of the park, is already on record as supporting some elements of the vision including the outdoor concert series and the parking fee. "We generally support the direction of the Marymoor Vision, especially with regard to maintaining the park's character, and appreciate the county's willingness to work with us in shaping these proposals," said Greg Helland, chairman of the Friends of Marymoor Park. "Our focus when evaluating the various proposals includes maintaining the park's unique character and minimizing the impacts on the park and the park users." These decisions, based largely on recommendations from Sims' Parks Task Force earlier this year, will be combined with earlier decisions to raise funds for park maintenance and operation. Earlier announcements include plans to expand and charge for campground amenities at Tolt MacDonald Park and the King County Fairgrounds, as well as a request for proposals to generate entrepreneurial ideas and the formation of an independent foundation to support King County parks. All elements will begin immediately and are part of the Executive's Proposed 2003 Budget. The transition plan is available for review online, at: http://dnr.metrokc.gov/parks/transition-plan/. For more details, or to review the entire parks transition plan, call 206-296-4232. Related Information: Marymoor Vision Fact Sheet (Word .doc 27 KB) Map of Marymoor (Image .jpg file 744 KB) Rendering of driving range (Image .jpg file 304 KB) Rendering of outdoor concert series (Image .jpg file 453 KB) Rendering of Marymoor Park golf driving range [Enlarged view, 304.jpg] Rendering of outdoor concert series [Enlarged view, K 453.jpg] Marymoor Enhancements Fact Sheet Marymoor Park is a 640-acre regional park located near Redmond. King County currently subsidizes Marymoor Park operations for about $600,000 annually. Enhancements will eventually allow the park to pay for itself. Enhancements will include: Outdoor Concerts: Eight to 14 outdoor concerts will be produced on park grounds. King County expects to earn between $150,000 and $300,000 per year on the summer concert series, which is scheduled to begin summer 2003. Golf Driving Range: A new driving range, built at no cost to King County taxpayers, will be located in an active use area next to the Velodrome. The revenue goal for the County would range from $200,000 to $400,000 per year. Athletic Field Complex: King County will partner with Lake Washington Youth Soccer Association, which will build, maintain, and schedule a new athletic field complex. LWYSA is proposing a capital project financed through a private bond sale to convert four existing sand fields into Field Turf fields, and build up to four new Field Turf fields. This project would also be constructed in already-developed active-use areas at no cost to King County taxpayers. Clise Mansion: The existing concession agreement with the vendor that currently operates half of the Clise Mansion will be expanded. That could mean marketing the facility for more weddings, corporate retreats, and smaller events. Parking Fee: A parking fee will be implemented in early 2003. The fee figure is still under discussion, however, the Friends of Marymoor Park have advised the County to consider $1.00 per car. There also will be a drop-off site for those who only wish to pick-up and drop-off passengers. Annual passes will be made available for regular park users who visit daily to enjoy the park for such things as a walk with their dog or play in an organized league. Enhancements are part of Executive Sims’ transition plan for parks, which emphasizes new, entrepreneurial ways of doing business. The King County Council will need to approve long-term lease agreements for the golf driving range and athletic field complex. The parking fee increases are included in the omnibus bill currently being considered by the King County Council. Updated: Oct. 23, 2002 Executive's home Executive's news Executive's site map | E-mail the Executive King County | Executive | News | Services | Comments | Search Links to external sites do not constitute endorsements by King County. By visiting this and other King County web pages, you expressly agree to be bound by terms and conditions of the site. The details.