EXHIBIT B. Rodney Wojtanik, Project Manager, Portland Parks & Recreation

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1 EXHIBIT B TO: FROM: City Council Rodney Wojtanik, Project Manager, Portland Parks & Recreation DATE: June 22, 2005 For additional information on the public outreach process and recommendations for the skatepark siting effort the following is provided: Skatepark Siting Public Involvement Effort Project Manager: Rod Wojtanik PI Support Specialist: Bryan Aptekar Planning Began: Winter 2003 Siting Decision: Spring 2005 Construction: Proposed Fall 2005/Spring 2006 Background For the past decade, communities throughout the state and across the country have been building facilities to address the growing need for public skateparks. The 2002 Parks Levy included funds to develop and maintain two skateparks. Portland was fortunate in that we had the opportunity to learn from other jurisdictions who have experienced siting, designing, and managing skatepark facilities. As with siting any new facility, community education was an important component of the outreach and siting effort. The public involvement plan acknowledged this, and ensured that public awareness and education activities would be integral throughout the planning, design, construction, and implementation of Portland s public skateparks. Project stakeholders included: Portland Parks & Recreation, Office of Neighborhood Involvement, the seven Neighborhood Coalitions, Portland Police Bureau, Parents of Portland Skaters (PoPS), Skaters for Portland Skateparks (SPS), Skateboarders, In-line Skaters, Free-style BMX bike riders, the League NW (promotes skating events), ONI Crime Prevention Staff, Portland Public School District, David Douglas School District, Parkrose School District, Centennial School District, Local Business Community, and Portland City Council Key Elements of the Pl Effort (in rough chronological order): Community Questionnaire: A web-based questionnaire was developed to gather input on siting criteria, design features, preferences for existing skatepark facilities and management expectations. Skateboarders, in-line skaters, free-style BMX riders and parents had the opportunity to share their thoughts and make recommendations about sites. Portland Parks & Page 1 of 5

2 Recreation (PP&R) received input and collected demographic information from more than 850 local enthusiasts and parents. Skatepark Provider Questionnaire: PP&R conducted two web-based questionnaires. One was hosted and supported by the National Recreation & Parks Association. These questionnaires were used to gather input on skatepark facilities and management experiences. PP&R received input from more than 120 cities. National Conference Attendance: PP&R staff voluntarily attended a national conference on skatepark siting, design and management. Staff participated in discussions with over cities from across the world who shared their experiences with skateparks. Skatepark Summit. In December 2003, PP&R invited cities from throughout Washington, California and Oregon to join local stakeholders for a Skatepark Summit. The goal was to hear from and exchange ideas with experienced jurisdictions, users, and potential partners on what makes for a successful skatepark. We had 125 attendants from 35 different cities share their experiences with siting, design, maintenance and funding. It was very well received. Siting Committee: Following the summit, the Skate Park Leadership Advisory Team, or SPLAT, was formed to recommend appropriate sites for skateparks within Portland. This 22-member citizens advisory committee consisted of representatives from key stakeholder groups including: Parents, Skateboard Advocates, Free-style BMX bike Advocates, Youth Participants, School Teacher, Risk Manager, Neighborhood Coalition members, concerned citizen, Portland Police, Business Community, and the City of Portland Noise Control Officer. Schedule: The committee began meeting in January They met monthly and attended 16 committee meetings to formulate the siting recommendations. These meetings were open to the public and the schedule was advertised on the project web-site. City-Wide System Goal: SPLAT recognized that development of two skateparks would not meet citywide need. They established a goal of creating a network of skateparks, geographically distributed throughout the city. The network includes one anchor regional facility - 40,000 or more square feet, that could accommodate international-scale contests and events; one district park - 10,000 square feet or greater, in each of the city s five geographic sectors; and multiple smaller neighborhood skate spots. Siting Criteria: SPLAT developed siting criteria by which to evaluate all potential sites. Based on input from 12 other cities, and their siting efforts, the main criteria include visibility for passive surveillance, limited off-site impacts, access to public transportation, the ability to create a safe and secure environment with limited environmental impacts. These criteria were reviewed with the public. Site Evaluations: Page 2 of 5

3 SPLAT members spent 12 months evaluating potential sites. Ultimately more than 300 park properties, school sites, brownfields, public properties, and other sites were evaluated by PP&R, Neighborhood Coalition representatives, public safety personnel, the City s noise control officer, SPLAT members and other citizens of Portland Broad Public Meetings/Outreach Efforts: A series of public meetings or Open Houses were held at key stages in the process. The goals of these meetings were to share information, project goals, questionnaire findings, review and refine siting criteria, and get feedback on potential sites. Outreach Efforts: PP&R attended the 2003 Tony Hawk Boom Boom Huck Jam Tour event at the Rose Garden on October 4 th & 5 th. We talked with over 400 attendants and distributed study informational flyers and promotional stickers and bumper stickers. Additional outreach included distribution of the promotional stickers and project literature at Portland Public Schools, local skateboard and bike shops, Parks & Recreation Community Centers, Portland Public Library, and local community gathering areas. PP&R staff voluntarily attended more than a dozen public meetings, community events, fund raisers, and neighborhood meetings to speak about the project and create awareness about upcoming opportunities for involvement. Open House #1: The siting criteria, project goals, and proposed citywide network were presented at a public display at the Lloyd Center Mall in May Neighborhood Coalition Meetings: In May, 2004, the siting criteria and the goal of the network system were reviewed and approved by each of the seven Neighborhood Coalitions. They were also asked to distribute the criteria and other project information to each of their respective neighborhood associations. Public Workshops (November 2004): In November 2004, the 35 sites that best met the siting criteria were presented to the public at three public workshops. These sites include sites owned by PP&R, rights-of-way owned by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), and public school properties in Portland Public and Parkrose School Districts. More than 650 respondents offered comment at these meetings and via the web. Public/Neighborhood Meetings (March 2005): In March 2005, PP&R and SPLAT, in cooperation with many Neighborhood Associations, presented the narrowed list of 20 sites at eight public meetings Page 3 of 5

4 around the city. The intent of these outreach meetings was to gather direct input from the immediate neighbors and their communities. Signs announcing the meetings were posted at all potential sites, and all neighbors within 500 feet of each site were sent a direct mailing on the project and the proposed meetings. Each meeting attracted between 35 and 125 attendants. Public comment on all sites was taken both in writing, and on-line through May Open House #2: The proposed citywide network and 19 recommended sites were presented at a public display at the Lloyd Center Mall in May Project Website: A project website was created to provide information to the public. The website contained: on-line questionnaires and findings, all meeting notifications and meeting minutes, public meeting summaries, summaries of comments collected on each of the sites, project calendar, links to a variety of informational sites; a glossary, etc. Public Notification: Project updates were posted on the web, and electronic notification was sent to the ONI e-list, neighborhood and business associations as well as the project s e-list. Press releases and notification were sent to announce all public meetings. Site Signage: Specific sites being considered were identified with signage. The signage explained the project and announced upcoming meetings. Portland State University Study (PSU): PP&R worked in conjunction with students from PSU S Masters in Urban & Regional Planning students who studied the perceptions of skateparks on communities and the realities by which these facilities exist in the fabric of residential neighborhoods. These students joined PP&R during our citywide siting effort to assist with the determination of suitable locations. Of particular interest to SPLAT were the favorable findings concerning public perceptions of existing skatepark facilities, and the realities as they relate to crime impacts, noise impacts and common nuisances such as trash, graffiti, and vandalism. Public Media Outreach: Over a dozen newspaper articles were run in local print media. The project also received public airtime on TV and the radio. Site Recommendations: SPLAT, visited each of the sites, reviewed all project feedback received over a 15-month period, and recommended 19 sites for development. Other Site Recommendations: Additionally, SPLAT recommended that undeveloped park properties in Outer East Portland consider a legal skatespot area during each of their respective master plan processes. These properties include: Beech Property, Thompson Park, Glenfair Park, Parklane Park, and Gates Park Property. They also recommended an analysis of the potential for a regional site at the West Delta Park and Portland International Raceway site. SPLAT also recommended additional consideration be given to the ODOT site at SE Water & SE Taylor. This site was determined to be the most suitable location in the City for the regional Page 4 of 5

5 skatepark site but this industrial property has significant value with regards to other development opportunities. Other agencies are also interested in this property. In relation to the sites recommended on ODOT property, ODOT indicated a willingness to negotiate the development of the Steel Bridge site. At this time ODOT is reluctant to move forward with the ODOT I-405 site. Their concerns are in regards to safety and liability from objects falling from the bridge decks and their ability to maintain the structure if a skatepark is located beneath. There is support from within the Northwest business and neighborhood associations to further explore this possibility and continue discussions with ODOT. SPLAT supported this additional analysis Evaluation: Throughout the project, especially at community meetings, the public was asked to evaluate how well the various elements of the public outreach effort worked. Adjustments were be made along the way. Page 5 of 5

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