WELLINGTON, Colo. — Parks staff told the Wellington Parks & Recreation Advisory Board on Sept. 10 that the direct public-engagement phase of the town's parks master plan has ended and that a statistically valid survey has been mailed to residents.

Billy Coates, team manager for the parks and recreation department, said, “So we are officially out of the direct public engagement phase. We still do have the statistically valid survey out in the mail.”

The board heard that the mailed survey is the primary instrument for collecting statistically representative input; smaller paper cards and an online map and budget tool remain active for the duration of the contract with consultant BerryDunn. Coates said staff will keep some engagement tools available digitally and that the business-card–sized handouts with QR links remain valid “for the entirety of our contract with Berry Dunn.”

Why it matters: The master plan will guide park, trail and facility priorities and capital spending for years. Board members pressed staff to keep channels open while the mail survey is processed, and staff said preliminary concepting for a potential community center has begun so designers can react quickly when survey data are available.

Details: Coates told the board the consultant BRS (contractor) has started basic conceptual layouts — "very, very preliminary"—so staff and the consultant will be ready to "plug and play" once community priorities are clear. He said internal conversations have included whether a future building might include a second story and what outdoor amenities should be considered, but that no decisions have been made: “By no means are we making any decisions on that. They're just kinda starting that conversation.”

Staff asked board members and community partners to continue distributing the mailed and online survey and noted a small incentive drawing tied to engagement. Coates said staff expect initial survey returns in the weeks after mail delivery and will follow up with the board once enough responses are in to begin analysis.

What the board asked for: Members asked for regular updates on response levels; Coates said he anticipates a follow-up report after the town's next scheduled internal review with finance and before the board's next meeting so members can see initial response rates and preliminary findings.

Next steps: Staff will compile survey responses, continue limited digital engagement, and return to the board once meaningful sample sizes and consultant analysis are available. The board will also be involved in later stages of community-center concept refinement and review of draft recommendations.