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City communications highlights 96% parks satisfaction, promotes ECC and Art House outreach
Summary
The city's communications specialist told the commission a 2024 survey of nearly 500 residents ranked parks and recreation highly (96% satisfaction), reviewed outreach for the Eagan Community Center and Eagan Art House, and outlined digital, social and email strategies to promote summer events and the parks master plan.
Ryan Rupp, the city’s digital media and marketing specialist, briefed the Eagan Advisory Parks and Recreation Commission on communications work, survey results and outreach plans for 2026.
Rupp said nearly 500 residents took a 2024 community survey that ranked parks and recreation among the most important issues and reported a 96% satisfaction rating for parks and recreation. "Parks and recreation came out on top with a 96% satisfaction rating," Rupp said. He said 67% of respondents rated the department's work as "excellent."
Rupp reviewed recent projects and the outreach used to promote them, including the renovated Eagan Community Center (ECC) with an expanded indoor play area, and the new Eagan Art House, which Rupp said achieved strong local media coverage. Presenters highlighted sustainability at the Art House — geothermal heating and cooling, a large on-site solar array and design choices that emphasized daylighting and low-carbon materials. "We set the bar really high," a presenter said when describing the facility’s goals.
On digital strategy, Rupp noted the city moved most of its DiscoverEagan program content online with a new landing page to improve mobile and accessibility and retained a printed senior catalog for residents who prefer print. He reported a 9% year-over-year social-media audience increase, expanded reach benchmarks (20,000–25,000), and email engagement that yields about 140–150 new subscribers per month and strong click-to-open rates. Rupp said communications is leveraging short video, humor and storytelling and has empowered parks staff to produce program-specific content.
Why it matters: communications work affects participation in programs and events (Cascade Bay, Marketfest, Food Truck Festival) and public awareness of the parks master plan and facility improvements. Rupp said Cascade Bay seasonal hiring (about 160 employees) and upcoming events will be supported by coordinated marketing.
Next steps: staff will continue to publicize ECC improvements, promote the parks master plan and use targeted social and email campaigns for summer programming.
