changelabsolutions.org 7 Community Example Windsor, CA: Parks and Recreation Master Plan In updating its Parks and Recreation Master Plan, the Town of Windsor in Sonoma County initially held two community outreach meetings at the Windsor Branch of the Sonoma County Library. Afterward, Parks and Recreation staff and Master Plan consultants from Gates + Associates realized that they had not received enough input from two important demographic groups in the community — Hispanic residents and youth — so they scheduled additional meetings designed specifically to engage these residents. The town collaborated with a Catholic church to publicize and host a Spanish-language workshop following mass, and it sponsored a meeting for approximately 60 youths through a leadership class at a local high school. Finally, the town hosted a roundtable for everyone who had attended any of the community meetings or workshops. By seeking input from residents who do not necessarily follow town politics or attend city meetings, and by offering the workshops offsite and making them as accessible as possible, the town was able to better assess the needs of the entire community. Key Resources How to Create and Implement Healthy General Plans (ChangeLab Solutions, see the section on Parks and Recreation Master Plans) Local Practices in Public Engagement (National League of Cities) How Cities Use Parks for Community Engagement (American Planning Association) Engaging the Public in Planning, Housing & Sustainability (Institute for Local Government Community)
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