Blue Island Park District Invites Residents to Help Shape Future Through Community Feedback Session (Blue Island, IL) – The Blue Island Park District is encouraging residents to share their ideas for the future of local parks, recreation programs and community services during a public feedback session scheduled for Monday, Aug. 17.
The meeting is part of the district’s ongoing effort to develop a new Comprehensive Master Plan, which will help guide investments, facility improvements and programming decisions over the next five years and beyond.
Residents, families, community organizations and other stakeholders are invited to attend the free session, regardless of whether they currently participate in Park District programs.
Executive Director Ted Ruthenberg said community input is essential to ensuring the plan reflects the needs and priorities of Blue Island residents.
“Our parks belong to everyone, and so should the planning process,” Ruthenberg said. “This community feedback session gives residents the opportunity to sit down with us, share their ideas and help shape the future of the Blue Island Park District. This is about listening to the community and incorporating their feedback into our long-term plans to better serve our residents.”
During the meeting, participants will discuss what they value most about the Park District, identify areas for improvement and suggest ideas for future recreation programs, facilities and community events. The discussion will also focus on neighborhood needs, emerging recreation trends and ways to better serve residents of all ages and abilities.
Ruthenberg said the district is especially interested in hearing from people who may not regularly use its parks or participate in its programs.
“In fact, we especially want to hear from people who may not currently participate in our programs or visit our parks very often,” he said. “Understanding what barriers exist and what would encourage greater participation will in the end help us become a better organization providing better programs and services for our residents.”
The session will also include discussion about how the Park District communicates with the community and how information about programs, special events and recreational opportunities can be shared more effectively.
“We know that outstanding parks and programs only make a difference if people know they’re available,” Ruthenberg said. “This is an opportunity to tell us how we can better connect with families, seniors, young adults and every neighborhood throughout Blue Island.”
Input gathered during the Aug. 17 meeting will be combined with results from a community survey, stakeholder interviews and technical analysis as consultants prepare the Comprehensive Master Plan.
“The stronger the community participation, the stronger our roadmap for the future will be,” Ruthenberg said. “Whether your ideas are big or small, they deserve to be heard. We hope you’ll join us on Aug. 17 and help create a vision that reflects the entire Blue Island community.”
The community feedback session will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17, at Memorial Park, 12804 Highland Ave. in Blue Island. The event is free and open to the public.
Additional information about the Comprehensive Master Plan and the community feedback session is available at www.blueislandparks.org or by calling the Blue Island Park District at 708-385-3304.
Blue Island Park District Invites Residents to Help Shape Future Through Community Feedback Session
