Town staff updated the Parks and Recreation Commission on the master-plan outreach schedule and solicited help boosting public participation in a survey and map-based comment tool.
The consultant team will run public pop-ups during the December tree-lighting event, offer a community input meeting in February and return to present 50% and 75% draft milestones to the commission on Jan. 8, staff said. "They will be coming back to the commission in January 8," a Parks and Recreation staff member said.
Staff reported initial website engagement metrics: a modest number of map pins and comments and a statistically valid mailed survey effort that requires about 400 completed responses to reach the consultant’s target. Staff said the mailing effort may be repeated to reach the response target if needed.
Commissioners expressed concern that the online survey landing page was not sufficiently prominent and asked staff to amplify social-media outreach and distribute business-card–sized flyers with a QR code to increase participation. One commissioner volunteered to print and hand out flyers. Commissioners also asked the consultant to provide a readout of planned activities and materials before the January meeting so commissioners could prepare specific questions rather than responding on the fly.
Staff said the consultant’s comparative analysis and grading of town parks and services exist but that some documents would be held until the plan materials are presented publicly to council. The consultant’s public-facing website is scheduled to remain active through May as the master-plan engagement phase continues.
No formal action was taken; commissioners requested additional outreach and an organized readout ahead of the January presentation.