Planning for Climate Change in Kent, Washington
Kent Parks was interested in assessing climate vulnerability of major park resources and developing a Climate Resiliency and Sustainability Plan for Kent Parks and the broader Kent community. Working with the city and other consultants, we assessed current and projected future impacts to tree canopy and vegetation, staff and community health and well-being, and the built environment. This vulnerability assessment included spatial analysis of park-owned parcels that could be prime locations for tree canopy expansion projects, as well as identification of a drought and pest-tolerant tree species list for future planting. The analysis built on our previous equity mapping work with the 2022 Parks and Open Space Plan, which created heat maps that identified high-need areas for future park investments. The final Climate Resiliency and Sustainability Plan included potential policy options, strategies, and opportunities to support co-benefits for the community.