Background

As part of the Prairie Meadows development, a new park is proposed at the corner of Jennifer Lane and Meadow Court and a playground replacement is planned for Timber Trails Park, which is located just to the south off of Blue Heron Trail. Given the proximity of these two parks to one another, staff made the decision to engage adjacent residents regarding both parks. 

Community Engagement

Residents in the two neighborhoods were notified and engaged about the park in the following ways:

• A postcard was mailed to resident houses informing them of an online survey and an in-person open house 
• A door hanger was hung on each door informing them of the online survey and the in-person open house 
• The project webpage was updated with information about the open house and the online survey
• A large park sign was placed in the park land.
• An online survey asking residents about their preferences for the park was available and 24 residents took the survey
• An in-person open house was held July 16 and approximately 40 residents attended 
• Following the open house, concepts were drafted and a new online survey was posted to gather feedback. This survey is ongoing. 
• A virtual open house will be held September 17 at 6 p.m. to discuss the designs with residents
• Residents were mailed a postcard to inform them of the online survey and the open house
• An email blast was sent by communications to the Jennifer Lane/Timber Trails Listserve 

A copy of the surveys and comment forms, as well as a document outlining the engagement and concepts is attached to this report. 

Concepts

From the community engagement, we heard that there was a desire for play at the park but that neighbors different between wanting the park to be passive and quiet or very active. From that Confluence has designed two concepts, one with a more iconic climbing structure and passive elements such as an art walk and an active concept with a traditional play structure, a field sized for U6 soccer and a picnic shelter. At Timber Trails two concepts were given, a traditional play structure and a large iconic climbing structure which has a tree house like feature at the top. These designs have been added to the new online survey and residents were sent a postcard letting them know the city would like their input on the future parks. 

Next Steps 

Tonight, staff would like the PRAB's feedback on the two concepts for each park. Following the virtual open house on the 17th, and the close of the online survey at the end of the month, staff will select a final design based on all the feedback that was given and make any needed revisions. The design will be brought to the City Council over the winter, and then Public Works will manage the projects through construction and completion in Spring 2021.