SEIZE THIS OPPORTUNITY:
Because of concerns, problems and complaints coming in from all areas of the
City with numerous Parks projects Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata
presented a resolution to the City Council that directed the Seattle Parks
and Recreation Department to evaluate its public involvement processes
concerning facilities acquisition, planning, development and maintenance.
The resolution was passed and, in response to this resolution, the Seattle
Parks Department is hosting a series of three workshops.

Seize this opportunity to critique how the Seattle Parks Department has
performed with regard to issues concerning the off-leash areas. Help guide
the Seattle Parks Department to facilitate better public involvement, to be
more consistent in how policies and procedures are applied and to mediate
between competing interest groups and offer solutions that Seattle residents
find acceptable. If you have any issues or concerns, gripes, critiques or
compliments about the way Parks is handling decisions affecting the
off-leash areas (for example, boundary adjustments, closures, maintenance,
installation of amenities such as lights) or comments about public process
or citizen involvement - now is your chance.

Workshop #1: Wed., Jan. 27, 1999 (citywide)
7:00-9:00 p.m.
Mountaineer's Club
Olympus Room, 300 3rd Ave., W.
(lower Queen Anne)
Focus: Introduce issues, review existing policy; outline revision process

Workshop #2: Tues., Feb. 23, 1999 (northend)
7:00-9:00 p.m.
Nathan Hale Highschool cafeteria
10750 30th avenue, N.E.
Focus: Develop detailed policies on public notification and involvement

Workshop #3: Thursday, Feb. 25, 1999 (southend)
7:00-9:00 p.m.
Franklin Highschool, Commons Room
3013 S. Mt. Baker Blvd.
Focus: Develop detailed policies on public notification and involvement

The Department of Parks and Recreation is conducting a process to review its
policy and procedures for informing and involving citizens in prospective
parks projects, plans and events. The goal of this process is to help the
Department establish reasonable and most effective public involvement
guidelines and to make sure they are consistently applied. The Department
has worked with the City Council to convene a citizens advisory committee to
identify some of the key issues and questions that we need to address in the
revision of the policy. For more information, please call Dewey Potter,
Department of Parks and Recreation, 684-7241, email:
dewey.potter@ci.seattle.wa.us or Frederica Merrell, Citizen Contact,
722-8357, email fredmarie@sprynet.com.