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Everett · EVT-CP-2044 · Pages 195-216

Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Element

The Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Element describes how the City plans for, acquires, and maintains its 920-acre parks system including 27 miles of regional trails across approximately 60 properties. It incorporates the 2022 Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan by reference and establishes 95 numbered policies covering park system access, capacity, variety and quality, natural environment stewardship, tree canopy, golf courses, maintenance and safety, recreation programming, financial sustainability, and partnerships. The element identifies equity gaps in park access particularly south of 41st Street and prioritizes investment in underserved areas.

Parks & Recreation Social Environment Economy Governance

“Only 4 of 95 Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Element policies (4%) include a concrete, measurable commitment.” Real Record SAY vs DO analysis · Everett Comprehensive Plan

About this analysis

Real Record applies the SAY vs DO accountability framework to every chapter of every Washington comprehensive plan we publish. Each policy in the chapter is read individually and scored into one of four buckets:

  • Measurable — the policy names a specific target, deadline, dollar amount, or action that can be verified later.
  • Strong — binding action language (“shall,” “will adopt,” “require”) without a measurable threshold.
  • Aspirational — encouraging or supportive language (“encourage,” “support,” “consider”) with no enforcement.
  • Monitor only — policies that commit to tracking or reporting but not to action.

The accountability score shown in the sidebar is the share of policies in the chapter that landed in the “Measurable” bucket. A score of 0–19 (red) indicates most policies use aspirational language without concrete accountability; 20–49 (orange) is mixed; 50 or higher (green) means the chapter is dominated by measurable commitments.

The underlying text comes from the official adopted comprehensive plan published by the Everett planning department. Scoring is performed by Real Record analysts using a structured rubric; the raw policy text and bucket assignments are archived in the Real Record civic data warehouse.

Read the full methodology, sources, and rubric at Real Record · About.

What the Plan Promises
Formal targets adopted in the Everett Comprehensive Plan.
Parks and recreation facilities within 10-minute walk of each resident; 64% of residents currently within 10-minute walk of a park
Goals (18 total)
  • PA-1: Create a park and trail system that promotes active and healthy lifestyles.
  • PA-2: Promote inclusion across all public spaces, places, facilities, and programs.
  • PA-3: Provide parks and recreation facilities within a 10-minute walk of each resident.
  • PA-4: Invest in the capacity, quality, and sustainability of parks and trails system as growth occurs.
  • PA-5: Maintain or improve the quality of the system for current residents as the system expands.
  • PA-6: Provide a diverse system of parks and trails.
  • PA-7: Improve access to recreational amenities throughout the community.
  • PA-8: Conserve open space and protect critical areas in the park system.
  • PA-9: Establish, replace, and maintain trees in parkland and rights of way.
  • PA-10: Provide quality and affordable public golf courses for recreation and open space values.
  • PA-11: Evolve golf courses to appeal to recreation interests of a broader group of users.
  • PA-12: Provide a sustainable golf course enterprise that meets cost recovery goals.
  • PA-13: Use best practice standards for maintenance of grounds, recreation facilities, and special use parks.
  • PA-14: Support community events and programs that are inclusive, affordable, and sustainable.
  • PA-15: Sustainably fund the Parks and Recreation System through all available revenue resources.
  • PA-16: Develop strong and equitable partnerships to build parks, facilities, and programs.
  • PA-17: Encourage public participation in the development of programs, parks, facilities, and trails.
  • PA-18: Govern the Parks and Facilities system efficiently based on a business management approach.
Stronger Policy Language (61 policies in this chapter)
  • PA-4: Make all parks, including playgrounds and restrooms, ADA accessible and inclusive.
  • PA-11: Adopt a level of service addressing park and trail quantity, park distribution, and investment levels to meet the needs of Everett's growing community.
  • PA-39: Maintain or improve tree canopy shares in Everett's parklands and streetscapes. Prioritize canopy enhancement projects in districts with the lowest canopy cover.
  • PA-56: Develop and apply maintenance management plans and standards for parks, trails, play fields, landscaped areas, forested areas, and recreation amenities.
Show all 61 stronger policies
The four examples above are a representative sample. The remaining 57 stronger policies are catalogued in the Real Record civic data warehouse and indexed by policy number against the adopted plan text. See how policies are scored →
Aspirational / Monitoring Language (30 policies in this chapter)
  • PA-2: Encourage concessionaires to offer one or more healthy food and snacks choices at events and within park facilities.
  • PA-36: Educate Everett community members on the value and best management practices to maintain trees on their properties.
  • PA-43: Partner with community organizations to educate residents to establish, replace and maintain trees on their own property.
  • PA-75: Explore a Levy proposal or other ongoing funding opportunities to support annual maintenance and operations improvements.
Show all 30 aspirational / monitoring policies
The four examples above are a representative sample. The remaining 26 policies in this bucket use language like “encourage,” “support,” “consider,” or “monitor” — phrasing that does not create an enforceable commitment. See how policies are scored →

SAY vs DISCUSS: Did this come up in meetings?

Real Record has not yet indexed any Everett briefings tagged to this chapter’s topics. Browse all Everett council and planning briefings to see related discussions in context.

View Everett Briefings →

SAY vs DO: Where the Money Goes

Departments related to Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Element in Everett — what the city actually funds, year over year.

Budget analysis for this chapter is in progress. Real Record has mapped 3 Everett departments to this chapter, but the FY2006 / FY2025 line-item totals are not yet loaded into our civic data warehouse. In the meantime, browse the city-wide budget comparison on the index page.