Vancouver-Clark Washington Parks & Recreation: First Place Park

Master Plan Update
Due to interest from the neighborhood, the Park Master Plan is being updated. There will be a public meeting on April 13, 2010 at the Firstenburg Community Center at 7:00 p.m. Public comment is welcome on the proposed change to the master plan. See the proposed change here.

In summary, the proposal from the neighbors is to remove the skate spot/sport court from the plan in the southeast corner of the park. In the same general location (with a minimum 25 foot buffer to the immediate neighbor) would be a neighborhood food garden. A committee of gardening enthusiasts is forming in the neighborhood to work with the Parks and Recreation Department to develop a concept and details of potentially adding raised garden beds to the park.

Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation values your opinion in this change. The comments received will be included in the master plan update, and will be reviewed by the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission on April 26th at noon. Please contact Jane Tesner Kleiner at (360) 619-1113 with questions or comments.

Proposed changes to the master plan

Facilities

	Play equipment
	Picnic tables

Driving Directions
From I-205
E on SE Mill Plain Blvd
N on 136th Ave
E on 18th Street
S on 148th Ave
E on 16th Street

Fees
There are no fees for this park

Hours
7 a.m. to dusk

Master Plan

Master Plan for Improvements

Through funding support from a community development block grant, First Place Park has completed a master plan to determine potential future improvements. Neighborhood meetings, mailings and communications combined with the neighborhood park goals targeted by the Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation Department have shaped a preliminary plan. The plan reflects these ideas and intents, including the following highlights of the park plan:

Playground Expansion: additional play equipment fits within the expanded playground and its safety surfacing when the paved trail is realigned.

Main Park Entry: shade trees, framed by entrance pillars and circular sitting area define the new park entry at the corner of NE 15th Street and NE 151st Avenue.

Loop Trail: The paved trail provides a loop option linking the main park activities with an accessible walking surface.

Picnic Shelter: A steel-roofed open-sided shelter provides all-weather gathering spot near the playground with room for four (4) picnic tables.

Irrigation: New tree plantings and the more prominent lawn areas have supplemental watering during the drier months.

Sidewalk Connections: The paved pathways are realigned to connect to existing public sidewalks along NE 16th Street and NE 152nd Avenue.

Sports Activity Zone: Active sports and a mini "street" skate element provide recreation for older children and adults.

Benches: Benches and other sitting areas provide resting spots throughout the park's paved path system, at the main entry and special activity locations.

Soft Path: An unpaved, soft surface trail weaves through the future reforestation area as an alternative walking experience.

Reforestation : A future woodland canopy is planned for the eastern and northern perimeters of the park using native trees to reforest the park.

Art & Exercise: Installations of outdoor sculptural art and/or exercise fitness stations could be located along the paved trail to enhance the park user experience.