FAQs

A PROS Plan guides Renton's strategic approach to equitably investing in parks, open spaces, and recreational opportunities. It ensures that play, recreation, conservation, and access to nature are thoughtfully integrated across Renton’s public spaces. The plan serves as a blueprint for the next phases of park system acquisition, development, and maintenance, relying on research, public input, and practical considerations like funding and logistics.

This PROS Plan update will assess the current conditions of Renton’s parks, recreation programs, and conserved open spaces, reflecting community needs and priorities. It will identify gaps in the park system, propose strategies, projects, and programs to address those gaps, and finalize these through a prioritized capital improvement program. Once adopted by the City Council, the PROS Plan will serve as a guiding document and road map. While we update the PROS Plan every six years, it lays out a long-term vision and goals for the next 20 years of parks, recreation, and open space in Renton.

The PROS Plan ensures that Renton manages its parks and open spaces responsibly while remaining eligible for important funding opportunities. As a sub-plan of Renton’s Comprehensive Plan, the PROS Plan is connected to many aspects of city life: how we meet and anticipate the needs of a growing, changing community; provide access to parks and services; support basic human services for all residents; engage and listen to the community; conserve natural systems that protect public health and safety; and support Renton’s economy by creating public spaces where people want to live and visit.

A current PROS Plan is also required by the State of Washington’s Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) to be eligible for state-funded planning and capital grants. Over the years, RCO and other partners have provided millions of dollars to Renton for acquiring, developing, and redeveloping parks. For example, recent RCO grant funding helped replace the North Trestle Bridge at the Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park and is currently being used to improve the sport courts at Talbot Hill Reservoir Park.

Regularly updating the PROS Plan allows the city to evaluate its services and programs: Are they meeting community needs and priorities? Is the city investing appropriate resources? Are these services still relevant? This review is essential to ensuring the city is a good steward of the resources entrusted to it.

A key goal of this PROS Plan update is to align the Parks and Recreation Department with the City’s Business Plan and the National Recreation and Park Association’s “Three Pillars.” Our plan focuses on:

• Equity: Ensuring quality parks, open spaces, and recreational opportunities are accessible and inclusive for all.
• Health & Wellbeing: Fostering a thriving community where everyone enjoys the health and wellness benefits of parks and recreation.
• Environmental Resilience: Preserving sustainable parks and green spaces for future generations and supporting a climate-resilient Renton.

Together, these three pillars advance the Renton Parks and Recreation Vision To foster a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable community through the enhancement of Renton's parks and recreational services, promoting health, equity, and environmental stewardship