Commission to brief Community Engagement Commission on Pavilion Park playground; public input planned

The Parks and Arts Commission will present a draft public engagement plan for the Pavilion Park playground to the city’s Community Engagement Commission on March 19, commissioners said March 3. The presentation is part of a year-long process to gather community preferences before equipment installation scheduled in 2026.

Commissioners reviewed outreach options that include engagement at the farmers market, library events, day-cares and schools, a town-hall or open house, and targeted activities to gather children’s input (for example, school and daycare visits). Staff has compiled a summary of comments gathered at the city’s Barefoot in the Park event, where attendees left Post-it note feedback about desired play features, seating and other amenities.

Commissioners discussed priorities including age separation (toddler vs. older children), seating/bench locations for parents, sight lines, and whether to pursue any footprint changes now that may affect long-term replacement costs. Staff noted there are safety and insurance guidelines to consider, including recommended separation of toddler and older play zones, and the commission agreed the first step is to collect meaningful public feedback before narrowing design and cost options.

Nancy Hill and other commissioners invited members to attend the March 19 Community Engagement Commission meeting; staff will bring the compiled Barefoot in the Park notes and draft survey questions to that meeting. The commission will use that feedback to refine preferred equipment styles, play elements and site options and then return to the commission with more detailed cost estimates and design alternatives.