Ojai parks commission votes to recommend updated Sarasota Park community survey

The Ojai Parks and Recreation Commission voted unanimously Thursday to recommend that City Council approve an updated community survey to reassess priorities in the 2017 Sarasota Park master plan.

Commissioners said the survey should reach beyond current program participants and include in-person outreach at events such as Ojai Day. Christy Rivera, then serving in parks and recreation leadership, said staff could run a simple online survey in-house and “put it on our activity guide.”

The recommendation directs staff to edit the older survey questions, combine facility- and programming‑level questions as needed, and use a variety of delivery methods — online, mailed postcards and in-person outreach — to try to capture a broader cross-section of the community than past online-only efforts. Commissioners noted the 2017 master plan led to some completed projects (the picnic area) but most projects on the plan have not moved forward.

Public speakers urged the commission not to delay and to focus on what would draw more residents to the park. Larry Seinfeld told commissioners the survey should ask both why people already use the park and what would make non‑users come, rather than asking only what people want to see.

The commission emphasized that an updated survey would be the first step: staff should return with survey results and a recommendation about whether a full master‑plan update (with associated consultant costs) is warranted.

The commission’s recommendation passed by roll call: Vice Chair Itner, Commissioner Lear, Commissioner Tabak Bank and Commissioner Munich all voted yes.

Next steps: staff will draft the edited survey and an outreach plan for commission review and forward the recommendation to City Council for consideration.