Commission outlines community-engagement plan for Pavilion Park playground replacement; installation eyed for 2026

The Liberty Lake Parks & Arts Commission discussed Jan. 6 how it will gather community input for planning a replacement playground at Pavilion Park, with the goal of informing decisions in 2025 and a potential installation in 2026.

Nancy Hill, a commission member, said the commission had set aside funds to collect community feedback and recommended working with the city’s Community Engagement Commission and using the farmers market as a key outreach venue. "The Farmers Market Month is probably the best opportunity for us and the CEC to really engage with the community and get feedback," Hill said.

Mikael Stevens, parks and recreation staff, said he would research the city’s procurement options and timing and will consult with City staff members Lisa and Mark to clarify whether the playground will be a catalog purchase or a custom-designed installation. Stevens also noted the city’s forthcoming parks and recreation master plan may factor into the schedule and design choices.

Commissioners discussed previously collected feedback from last summer’s Barefoot in the Park event and other survey tools. Hill and others recommended combining outreach methods — in-person feedback at the farmers market, an online survey tool managed by the city communications team, and outreach through the library — to capture a broad cross-section of resident preferences.

The commission did not take formal action on funding or vendor selection; it directed staff to gather more information and return with a recommended outreach and procurement timeline that can be coordinated with the master plan and the council’s decision schedule.