Kenai Parks Commission approves master plan, sends to City Council

The Kenai Parks and Recreation Commission voted unanimously May 7 to send the city's Parks and Recreation Master Plan to the Kenai City Council with a recommendation for approval.

The commission acted after no one offered changes when the draft plan was presented April 2. No members of the public spoke at either meeting.

Parks and Recreation Director Bob Best said the commission and public had no recommendations after reviewing the draft at the April meeting.

The City of Kenai asked for proposals in December 2024 for a master plan to guide how the city maintains and develops its parks, open spaces, recreation facilities, and programs over the next 10 years. The City Council awarded a $69,866.75 contract to Corvus Design in February 2025 to write the plan.

The City Council will review the master plan at a work session May 20 at 5 p.m. before voting at its regular June meeting. Corvus Design will present the plan and answer questions at the work session.

Best told the commission the council approved the work session at its May 6 meeting. Commissioner Irvin Carlson asked about the timing. Best confirmed the session would happen May 20 at 5 p.m., before the council's regular meeting that evening.

Under Kenai Municipal Code, the Parks and Recreation Commission must review master plans for recreation facilities and make recommendations before the City Council acts.

The commission also voted unanimously May 7 to recommend removing its regularly scheduled August meeting from the calendar. Best said the commission has canceled the August meeting for lack of agenda items for the past several years. The last August meeting was six years ago.

The commission plans to hold work sessions for facility tours during summer months instead of formal meetings. Best said the recommendation would go to the City Council or the mayor, who oversee the commission's meeting schedule.

The commission discussed holding a June tour of the recreation center and a September tour of other parks and facilities.

The City Council work session is open to the public and will take place May 20 at 5 p.m. at Kenai City Hall.