2017 PARKS STRATEGIC PLAN Public Engagement Part 1 Summary UPDATED: August 14, 2017 INTRODUCTION The City of Issaquah is undertaking a 2017 update of its Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails Plan, hereafter referred to as the 2017 Parks Strategic Plan. A critical component of this Plan is identifying and articulating the community’s vision for its parks system. A key part of Issaquah’s 2017 Parks Strategic Plan is public engagement, to help identify and articulate the community’s vision for its park system. The public engagement strategy includes ongoing activities to communicate about the project, and two targeted outreach phases: • Part 1: Focused on generating ideas and vision for the parks plan. Goals include gathering ideas for subareas and gathering public input on major issues to be addressed. This outreach was conducted between February and April 2017. • Part 2: Gather public input on priorities for the Plan, and gather feedback on the final Plan. This outreach will be completed later in 2017. This Public Engagement Summary provides a summary of all results received from Part 1 of the City of Issaquah’s public engagement activities related to the 2017 Parks Strategic Plan. Part 1 Outreach Activities Goals for Part 1 of the public engagement process included: • Gather ideas for subareas. Encourage participants to brainstorm ideas and share thoughts on the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities in each subarea. • Gather public input on major issues to be addressed. Are there community needs that the 2017 Parks Strategic Plan should address? How can the Parks and Recreation system better respond to ongoing trends in the community? Public engagement activities for Part 1 included six Community Workshops, online input via Peak Democracy, and social media. Participants were asked for their input on seven key outreach questions, including: 1. Concerning our community’s existing parks and trails, how are we doing? What are the strengths? What needs to be improved? 2. What are your favorite parks and trails? Why? 3. What’s your vision for parks and trails in Issaquah? What words/phrases would you use to describe your ideal future park system? How important are parks and trails in your life? 4. Dream big! What’s on your wish list for Issaquah’s parks and trails? (Please list specific projects and/or priorities.) New parks? New amenities? Reimagine existing parks and trails? 5. How is access to Issaquah’s parks and trails system? How can we improve your park and trail system access from your area of the city? 6. What’s your relationship to Issaquah? In what area of the City do you live or work? UPDATED: August 14, 2017 1 CITY OF ISSAQUAH 2017 PARKS STRATEGIC PLAN PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PART 1 SUMMARY 7. What other thoughts about Issaquah’s parks and trail system would you like to share with us? These public engagement opportunities were communicated to the public through a number of tools, including the project landing page on the City’s website, project calling cards, email updates, social media, and engagement of the Park Board. More detail about each opportunity is provided following. Subarea Community Workshops This series of six meetings introduced the 2017 Parks Strategic Plan project to the community and for the public to provide input on it. Meetings included maps and small group facilitated discussions that encouraged participants to share their ideas, opinions, and knowledge about Issaquah’s Parks system. Meeting dates, locations, and the number of attendees are provided following: • March 21: Issaquah Senior Center. Attendees included three Park Board members and five residents. • March 23: Tibbetts Creek Manor. Attendees: Four Park Board members and five residents. • March 27: Grand Ridge Elementary. Attendees: Two Park Board members and ten residents. • March 29: Issaquah Valley Elementary. Attendees: Two Park Board members and six residents. • April 4: Pickering Barn. Attendees: Two Park Board members and three residents. • April 6: Sunset Elementary. Attendees: Two Park Board members and three residents. Online Input via Peak Democracy An online Peak Democracy survey-style tool was used to collect responses to the seven outreach questions. The tool was available on the City of Issaquah’s website and was open between March 10th and April 28th. A total of 190 responses were received. Input via Social Media The City of Issaquah collected feedback on the Parks System through Facebook comments on timeline posts on their Facebook page. RESULTS Methodology This Public Engagement Part 1 Summary includes key findings from the six public workshops and the online survey- style tool, along with comments received on social media. The full data collected and supporting these findings is provided in the Appendix. Data collected during Phase 1 public engagement activities is primarily qualitative. BERK Consulting conducted inductive theme analysis to summarize ideas and responses. Inductive theme analysis is qualitative analysis that generates key findings about the outreach questions from participant responses to those questions. Because the goal of this Part 1 outreach was to brainstorm ideas and needs, we looked for high-level themes, findings, and insights, which are summarized following. As such, results do not strictly follow the set of questions. When answers provided to a question fit more appropriately with a different outreach question, they were analyzed with that question. This theme analysis was qualitative and does not weight data based on the number of responses received. UPDATED: August 14, 2017 2 CITY OF ISSAQUAH 2017 PARKS STRATEGIC PLAN PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PART 1 SUMMARY Words and phrases describing public engagement participants’ ideal future parks system. UPDATED: August 14, 2017 3 CITY OF ISSAQUAH 2017 PARKS STRATEGIC PLAN PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PART 1 SUMMARY COMMUNITY Issaquah residents appreciate having places and opportunities for people to join together – for play, exercise, activities, and more. Strengths • Playgrounds and play areas • Mix of ages in parks • Farmer’s market • Many parks are highly used by the Issaquah community • Welcoming • Contribute to Issaquah’s livability • Existing parks are high-quality and enjoyable • Many wonderful family parks • Issaquah is a destination for parks and open space “Issaquah has many quality parks and it is one of the redeeming qualities of our town.” “Parks and trails are important in my life as I enjoy the outdoors and being able to meet new people on paths and trails.” UPDATED: August 14, 2017 4 CITY OF ISSAQUAH 2017 PARKS STRATEGIC PLAN PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PART 1 SUMMARY Suggested Improvements Wish List • Facilities for kids • Activity spaces • Off-leash trails/areas • Gathering spaces • Dog parks • Play opportunities • Facilities: shelters, etc. • Concerts • Parks that are welcoming to all • Places for seniors, youth, families • Multiuse spaces • Multi-generational activities • Multigenerational activities • Memorable places • Increase development of • Community gardens community/neighborhood parks to support more • Picnic areas and benches uses • More playgrounds • Increase opportunities for play in parks o Unique and engaging playgrounds • Support arts and culture in through the Parks “More things for kids to do! Maybe some parkour trails like the old-fashioned kind in the 80’s (with “Hang out space.” "stations" with exercise equipment).” “Parks are essential to a well-rounded community. “We come from a place where there were lots of People who live in apartments especially need a place neighborhood parks that were generally open, not to get out and experience nature. A park needs to be a fenced with signs saying "for residents only." It would hub of activities and local events. A gathering place for be nice to see more parks with a friendlier feel like all who wish to use them.” that.” UPDATED: August 14, 2017 5 CITY OF ISSAQUAH 2017 PARKS STRATEGIC PLAN PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PART 1 SUMMARY NATURE AND Many respondents spoke about protecting natural areas and having places to enjoy nature. This includes plants, trees, wildlife, ENVIRONMENT water features, and views. For many people, enjoying nature is a quiet, passive activity, while for others it includes activity like hiking. Strengths • Number of parks • Passive uses • Opportunities to enjoy nature • Habitat protection • Issaquah is surrounded by natural beauty “The city has done a good job setting aside or buying back land to protect the creek habitat, of course efforts need to continue in this area.” “The Issaquah area has great natural beauty.” UPDATED: August 14, 2017 6 CITY OF ISSAQUAH 2017 PARKS STRATEGIC PLAN PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PART 1 SUMMARY Suggested Improvements Wish List • Balance developed trails and park space with • Issaquah Creek trail maintenance of the existing natural environment • Protect streamside areas • Provide interpretive signage to help prevent • Maintain tree canopy impacts to the environment • More peaceful, open space parks • Provide wayfinding to keep trail users on the • Environmental education trails and prevent impacts to the environment o Interpretive center about watershed, wildlife, outdoor education “Current parks and trails generally respect and protect • Protect wildlife views, trees, and wetlands; please continue to • Beauty seriously consider this as further park amenities are developed.” • Views • Ensure waterways are not impacted by park “We also like that some parts are kept more wild to development enjoy the natural space. I like that there are plenty of garbage