Commission schedules community engagement plan for Pavilion Park playground; public meeting sought

City staff and commissioners outlined a public engagement plan for the Pavilion Park playground and agreed to ask the Community Engagement Commission to help gather public input.

The engagement plan includes multiple outreach channels: pop-up contacts at public events (farmers market, Barefoot in the Park), a potential survey, public open houses/town halls and work with the Community Engagement Commission to gather broader input. Staff presented a draft list of about a dozen survey questions to guide those efforts.

Why it matters: Pavilion Park is slated for a playground update, and commissioners said early, multi-channel public engagement will help shape equipment choices, accessibility features and the project schedule.

During discussion, commissioners raised safety and liability questions for specific playground equipment. One commissioner asked whether risk-management or insurance professionals recommend excluding particular items; staff said they would check with the city’s risk-management provider. Staff also suggested inviting vendors to bring sample equipment or displays to a town-hall so residents could see alternatives (for example, traditional play vs. the modern equipment at Riverfront Park in Spokane).

Commissioners agreed to request placement on the Community Engagement Commission agenda for March 19 at 6 p.m. so Parks and Arts members could present the draft engagement approach and coordinate timing with upcoming events. Staff said as many as three commissioners could attend the engagement commission meeting without creating a Parks and Arts meeting quorum.

Ending: Staff will refine the outreach outline, gather equipment photos and follow up with the Community Engagement Commission for a March 19 presentation. Commissioners asked staff to ask the risk manager about equipment restrictions before broader promotion.