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Resident says Kids Crossing redesign missed chance for community-led vision
Summary
Tara Darnell, a resident who said she attended prior meetings and emailed staff, told the commission she felt the redesign process "didn't feel engaged" and urged a restart or deeper community involvement; commissioners cited an equity rubric and agreed to further outreach.
Tara Darnell, who said she has attended multiple community meetings and submitted written feedback, told the commission she felt the Kids Crossing redesign process failed to capture a community-led vision. "I don't feel engaged at all," Darnell said, adding that the original park was community-built and that the proposal "is not a dream park" in the way other community-driven projects have been.
Commissioners acknowledged the criticism and discussed ways to better include underrepresented voices, citing a newly developed community equity rubric. One commissioner thanked Darnell for her sustained engagement and suggested incorporating legacy acknowledgments such as plaques, local-artist work or an entry feature that recognizes the original volunteer-built playground. Staff said the commission would receive refined options and engagement plans at the September meeting.
