NextGen group advances plan for inclusive East Side Park; council urges public outreach

Council members and staff discussed a multi-phase proposal from a NextGen committee to create a fully inclusive playground at East Side Park.

Becca summarized conference takeaways and noted the NextGen group has been working six months on designs and vendor selection. A NextGen representative, Zach, said the committee had narrowed vendors to three and expected to select a vendor and present renderings at the council—s Dec. 23 meeting. "The intention is to meet next week and get our final designs from our vendors in so we can present it on the 23rd," a NextGen member said.

Several council members urged more transparency and neighborhood outreach before final approvals, noting concerns about removing existing park features (including a pirate-ship structure), potential parking impacts and how the band shell and other donated structures would be handled. One council member proposed special neighborhood informational meetings; others said a public presentation at the Dec. 23 meeting would be the next step.

Staff also reported the city is pursuing an active transportation grant (trails and Safe Routes to School) with a January deadline and will return to council with a resolution to allocate needed funds ahead of the application.