Eastmont Parks goes extra mile to get community input for future improvements
For public agencies like the Eastmont Metropolitan Parks District, one of the biggest challenges is gathering meaningful public input before making important decisions.
The district is asking residents of East Wenatchee, Wenatchee and surrounding communities to help shape its comprehensive plan for the next decade. A brief online survey asks a simple but important question: What should the district’s priorities be over the next 10 years?
So far, only a few hundred people have responded. That’s not enough feedback to confidently guide decisions about how the district should invest its limited resources, according to consultant Teka Parks Sellers, who is helping lead the public outreach effort.
Sellers is a local who grew up as a competitive figure skater and later became a skating coach. After spending 15 years at Chelan County PUD, she launched her own consulting firm, Engage NCW, with the tagline, “Better Decisions Together.” It reflects a philosophy I admire: the best public decisions are made when the public is genuinely involved.
The modest response to the survey may stem from a misunderstanding about who should participate. Some people who don’t live in East Wenatchee or Douglas County may assume the survey isn’t meant for them. In reality, Sellers says the district wants to hear from anyone who uses Eastmont Parks facilities or programs, whether that’s the pickleball courts, baseball fields, community center, Eastmont Aquatics Center or the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail.
That makes sense. Our communities are growing rapidly, with major development occurring on both sides of the Columbia River. As the region grows, demand for parks, trails and recreational facilities will only increase.
One encouraging aspect of this process is that the parks district appears committed to listening. People are far more likely to support projects and long-term plans when they’ve had a chance to help shape them. We’ve seen that principle proven time and again.
The district has also assembled a steering committee that includes community partners such as Our Valley Our Future, the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, and user groups like Eastmont Youth Baseball and Velocity Swimming.
I took the survey myself, and it requires only a few minutes. It asks straightforward questions about how you use local parks and where you believe future investments should be made.
As a junior taxing district, Eastmont Metropolitan Parks District has significant responsibilities but limited financial resources. Those realities make thoughtful planning even more important. Unfortunately, some public agencies have earned a reputation for asking for public input without seriously considering it, which understandably discourages participation. Fortunately, this effort appears different.
East Wenatchee and the entire Wenatchee Valley are experiencing tremendous change. As our population grows, pressure on existing parks and recreational facilities will grow as well. That’s exactly why this planning effort matters—and why as many people as possible should take part.
Sellers bases her work on the Prosci ADKAR model for managing change: building Awareness of the need for change, creating the Desire to participate, developing the Knowledge and Ability needed to implement change, and providing Reinforcement to ensure lasting success. Those same principles apply to building stronger communities.
I believe the best way to solve local challenges is by bringing people together to create a shared vision for the future. The broader the community participation, the stronger that vision becomes.
Credit goes to Executive Director Mat Heinz, the Eastmont Metropolitan Parks District board and everyone involved in this effort for seeking meaningful public input before making long-term decisions.
If you use Eastmont Parks in any way, take a few minutes to complete the survey. Your perspective can help shape the parks, trails and recreational opportunities our community will enjoy for years to come. The survey is available at eastmontparks.com and will be open through July 31.
