Why This Measure Matters

Having a park or open space within close proximity to every residence allows Olympians to easily and frequently visit parks for health, social gathering and connection to nature purposes.

What’s the Story?

• Olympians recognize the importance of easy access for everyone to parks.
• Each year the Department works to acquire new park land in areas of the city and Olympia UGAs that don’t have a park or open space within a half mile (i.e., 10-minute walk).
• Land acquisition can be challenging, particularly when trying to find good park sites available from willing sellers at a fair price. For this reason, in addition to land acquisition, we will attempt to create new access points to existing parks. 
• Ultimately, the long-term target is that wherever you live in the city you will have a park within ½ mile. However, there are some areas within the city and UGA that may not realistically have a park within a half mile, e.g., portions of the Port Peninsula.
• According to the Trust for Public Land, the current national average is 55%.
• To see the areas still in need of a park within a ½ mile, view the map on page 77 of the 2022-2028 Parks, Arts & Recreation Plan.

Target

National average is 55%.

Reporting frequency