Port Orchard city planners presented three design alternatives for a 30‑acre parcel at the south end of Sherman Avenue at a public workshop, saying the property must both manage stormwater and could be developed as a neighborhood park. The city bought the land in 2022 to create stormwater capacity so sidewalks and pedestrian connections can be extended into a neighborhood that currently lacks pedestrian infrastructure.

The project matters because the stormwater work is tied to the city’s federal stormwater permit and a compliance timeline discussed by staff; planners said work on the stormwater elements is required by 2029. The park design process is intended to produce illustrated concept plans, solicit more public input, and lead to a preferred alternative next spring.

City staff described three distinct alternatives: a trails-and-conservation park emphasizing soft-surface trails, habitat preservation and low maintenance; a family-nature park combining playground and picnic features with interpretive stormwater elements; and a community-garden and recreation-focused park with garden plots, courts, a central gathering lawn and more-developed amenities. Staff said the stormwater ponds would be integrated into each concept and could include interpretive signage about how the system works.

At the workshop staff summarized outreach to date: postcards to property owners in a study area bounded roughly by Blackjack Creek, Tremont and State Route 16, door hangers to apartment buildings, and an initial online survey that drew about 80 responses. Planners said they will produce concept drawings based on tonight’s feedback, post them to the project web page and return to the community with refined options by winter, then seek a preferred alternative by next spring.

Residents at the meeting raised recurring concerns about safety, access, parking and freeway noise adjacent to the site. A resident who identified themselves during public comment said, "Safety concerns is probably my number one priority," and asked whether patrols or other measures would be part of the plan. Another attendee said freeway noise could make the location unattractive for passive uses and could reduce legitimate use of the park.

Staff answered questions about access and phasing: vehicle access directly to the site would be from Sherman Avenue, and staff said the city bought the property to enable road and sidewalk improvements along Sherman. Planners said stormwater pipes would likely be extended up Sherman to allow sidewalks and that some improvements could be phased, but longer-range road upgrades would depend on future budgeting. Staff also noted possible pedestrian connections to parks across Highway 16 (including a concept tied to the Ruby Creek/Kitsap Transit Park And Ride) and potential pedestrian bridges over Blackjack Creek if community support exists.

Planners provided a few specific design and capacity notes from the workshop: the city discussed a roughly 20‑stall small parking lot and potential community garden area sized at about 100 by 200 feet; all trees along Blackjack Creek would be retained; and the planning team will compare each alternative against a "no action" option that would leave the property as open space while obligating the city to build the regional stormwater facility required by permit. Staff repeated that final decisions on lighting, specific amenities and maintenance levels will come after concept designs and further public review.

Next steps: city planners will refine the three alternatives into illustrated concept plans, post them online and return to the community for comment this winter and in spring, then move toward selecting a preferred alternative. Residents may subscribe to the project email list or contact city staff to receive updates and to provide input on the concepts as they are released.