Palatine Park District Launches Website for Community Engagement
Palatine Park District recently launched Forward Thinking, an online community engagement platform, to seek feedback from park district residents on current parks, programs, and facilities as well as how these features can be improved for the future.
This feedback will be used to develop Palatine Park District's five-year comprehensive master plan. This plan, known as Forward: One Voice. One Vision. Forward to 2020, will identify current and future park and recreation needs. This planning process combines scientific analysis of the assets and programs of the district with the insight and information gathered from residents. The end goal is consensus on preferred strategies and a road map for implementation that will guide the district during the next five years.
Mike Clark, Palatine Park District's Executive Director, says he is "looking forward to receiving input from the community and moving forward with the comprehensive master plan." Forward Thinking is one of several opportunities the public will have to provide input into the planning process. Focus groups will be held, a community-wide attitude and interest survey will be conducted, and residents are always welcome to contact members of the park board of commissioners or the Palatine Park District staff to voice their opinions. According to Clark, "the process is meant to gather information from the community regarding what they envision for the future of the Park District. Resident engagement, through a variety of methods, is essential to the success of the project.
Forward Thinking is an opportunity to comment on topics, contribute ideas, submit photos, and interact with fellow Palatine Park District residents. Residents interested in joining the site should visit http://forwardthinking.palatineparks.org/.
Forward Thinking also includes a rewards system. Points are awarded to individuals as they register for the site, start topics, interact with others, and answer surveys. An automatic reward will be given once an individual reaches 200 points: either a daily pool pass for next summer or a free small bucket of balls at the practice range at Palatine Hills Golf Course. Additional prize opportunities will be earned as higher point totals are reached including raffle entries for a $50 program voucher at 350 points, a free membership to Community Fitness Center at 500 points, a free foursome at Palatine Hills Golf Course at 650 points, and a free 2015 summer family pool pass at 800 points. One prize in each category will be awarded to a random winner at the end of the Forward Thinking program.
For more information about Forward Thinking, please visit http://forwardthinking.palatineparks.org/ or contact Mike Clark, Executive Director, at 847-496-6236 or mclark@palatineparks.org.
The mission of Palatine Park District is to provide a variety of safe, enjoyable and affordable parks and recreation facilities and activities that will enhance the quality of life by promoting good health and well-being for all residents and visitors of the Palatine Park District.