Laserfiche WebLink
e <br />Everett Parks and Recreation Parks <br />Natural/Special Use Areas, Golf <br />This designation is abroad category of open space that may <br />serve a specific need related to protecting natural <br />environments, providing for a specific recreation activity (golf), <br />preserving cultural artifacts or serving as a gateway helping <br />define the character of a specific area within the city. Each of <br />the following defines a type of use within this category. <br />Natural <br />Example — Johnston Kelly Environmental Park and Jetty <br />Island <br />Natural and special use designations include areas for <br />protection and management of the natural/cultural <br />environment with recreation use as a secondary objective. <br />Recreation use might include passive recreation such as <br />viewing and studying nature and wildlife habitat. There are no <br />specific standards for size or acreage other than they should <br />be sufficient to protect the resource and provide for <br />appropriate usage. <br />Many of these areas are considered "Critical Areas." The City <br />of Everett has adopted ordinance 2909-06 to designate critical <br />areas and to adopt development regulations to protect critical <br />areas (RCW36.70A060 and .170 and WAC 365-194-410). <br />Critical Areas are usually characterized by the following <br />features: <br />• Steep sloped areas <br />• Geotechnical hazards such as erosion, slides, <br />or groundwater springs <br />• Wetlands or riparian shorelines, such as <br />riverbanks or lakeshores <br />• Wildlife and habitat areas <br />• Stream beds <br />Description: <br />Natural areas contain resources that are managed for <br />conservation, environmental education and nature -based, <br />unstructured, low -impact recreational opportunities, such as <br />walking and nature viewing. Natural areas include areas of the <br />city which are subject to natural hazards; contain land form <br />features involved in carrying, holding, or purifying water; or <br />support unique, fragile, or valuable natural resources. This <br />includes dedicated watersheds or natural/non-developed <br />areas. <br />Typical Natural Area users: <br />• Come from throughout the city. <br />• Arrive by auto, bus, bicycle or foot. <br />• Visit the park for one or more hours. <br />• Maybe looking for a passive park use experience <br />Site Selection: <br />• Site size should be based on natural resource needs <br />• Site size should be based on acreage needed to <br />preserve or protect the resource. <br />• Provide visible point of access to neighborhood, <br />community, sidewalk, trail or street <br />• Consider emergency vehicle access <br />Provide: <br />• hard and soft surface trails where appropriate <br />• ADA access opportunity <br />• On -street or off-street parking based on facilities <br />provided <br />• Directional signage and park rules <br />Consider: Amenities provided should be limited to the <br />numbers and types of visitors the area can accommodate, <br />32 Everett Parks and Recreation <br />