Eric Adams

This document presents preliminary findings for the update of the Willamalane Park and Recreation District's comprehensive plan, which will guide the district for the next 10-20 years. Key findings highlight community demographics, engagement efforts, and priorities. The plan aims to address community needs by improving communication, expanding facility access, and enhancing amenities such as trails, restrooms, and inclusive playgrounds. It also focuses on ensuring equitable access to parks and recreation services, particularly for underserved populations, and adapting programs for an aging community.

The meeting focused on natural resource management within the district, including discussions on Willamalane's strengths, areas for improvement, and potential threats. Key topics included education initiatives, priority projects such as Day Island slough and Cedar Creek, acquisitions to prioritize trail and habitat connectivity, and partnerships for fuel reduction and floodplain restoration. Management strategies discussed involved cross-training staff, implementing prescribed burns, and prioritizing heavy impact areas. The group also discussed opportunities to improve community engagement, address wildlife management challenges, and proactively manage lands before acquiring new properties.

The Willamalane Park and Recreation District's comprehensive plan serves as a 20-year roadmap to guide decision-making, prioritize projects, and ensure the long-term sustainability and enhancement of parks and recreation services. The plan is built upon seven key goals: maintaining national accreditation, providing safe and equitable parks and natural areas, establishing connected paths and trails, offering high-quality and affordable recreation facilities, upholding high maintenance standards, delivering responsive recreation programs, and practicing responsible stewardship. Its overarching vision is to foster a healthy, active community where everyone belongs, promoting health, well-being, and a high quality of life through engaging and inclusive spaces and experiences.

This document serves as a collection of appendices informing the Willamalane Park and Recreation District's Comprehensive Plan. It details extensive community engagement, demographic analysis, and review of related planning documents to establish a foundation for the plan. The plan aims to provide a 20-year vision, a prioritized project list, and guidance for fiscal planning and future work. Key focus areas include understanding community needs, addressing service gaps and barriers, and identifying future priorities for parks, recreation facilities, and services, with a strong emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

This Comprehensive Plan for Willamalane Park and Recreation District provides a roadmap for the next 20 years, guiding future growth and operations to enhance community well-being. The plan focuses on seven key goals: maintaining national accreditation, ensuring a safe and equitable system of parks and natural areas, providing easily accessed and connected paths and trails, offering high-quality and affordable recreation facilities, upholding high maintenance standards, delivering programs that encourage healthy lifestyles, and responsibly managing district resources and partnerships. A core emphasis is placed on addressing community changes, fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and improving communication to ensure a sense of belonging for all residents.