In the heart of Santa Fe, a vibrant conversation is unfolding, one that reflects the community's eagerness to shape its future. During a recent Governing Body Meeting, officials highlighted the impressive engagement levels surrounding the Santa Fe Forward project, a community initiative aimed at gathering public input on local issues and aspirations.

The project website, santafeforward.org, has emerged as a beacon of civic participation, currently ranking as the number one social pinpoint platform in the nation, according to its vendor, Social Pinpoint. This accolade underscores the enthusiasm of Santa Fe residents, who have embraced the opportunity to voice their thoughts and ideas. The website features an interactive engagement map, allowing users to drop digital sticky notes with questions, comments, or suggestions about their community.

Since its launch in January, the website has attracted approximately 9,500 views, with the engagement map alone receiving around 450 contributions. The project has also garnered over 52 public comments on its draft assessment report, alongside numerous quick poll responses and direct communications from residents. This surge in participation reflects a community eager to share its vision after years of waiting for a platform to express its needs and desires.

Efforts to engage the public have extended beyond the digital realm. Project staff have been actively tabling at various community events, from social gatherings to sporting events, ensuring accessibility for all residents. This outreach has resulted in more than 180 in-person comments, contributing to a total engagement count of approximately 11,550 in just a few months.

The themes emerging from this public input reveal a strong interest in participating in community programs and working groups, indicating a desire among residents to take an active role in shaping their environment. As Santa Fe continues to gather insights from its citizens, the path forward appears bright, with a community ready to collaborate and innovate for a better future.