Thread by @shayshinecastle

Wonderland Lake project update: I haven't written anything on this, but I gather it was *quite* the scandal.

Dan Burke, OSMP leading the show.

Staff has been working on taking a grand vision "area plan" down to more specific, "on-the-ground implementation."

"As we all now know, the community engagement process had several major shortcomings, and these shortcomings ultimately led to what can best be described as an unraveling of the community engagement process."

"We did not adequately set the stage for the community. We did not adequately plan for the proper extent of engagement that was needed. We made the assumption that community was more engaged and in tune with the north trail access study."

"Community felt they had to go beyond the staff and lead the process bc we did not adequately set that stage."

In the future OSMP will “listen ... before we come to (community) with specific things to react to."

"We did ultimately hear a lot of constructive feedback and some other wants and other needs that weren't on our radar screen."

Sums up community feedback thusly: Proposed pier and boardwalk would "impact scenic and ecological integrity of area and diminish sense of peace."

"I’m confident we’ve learned from the missteps. I’m equally confident we can come up with on the ground implementation to achieve a lot of the goals the community has expressed and were laid out in the NTSA."

Collateral damage was the education piece: how do we get kids involved? It became divisive bc of the design, Burke says, but it's really not that divisive at all.
"There are appropriate places on open space to have this nature experience."

Brockett: I really appreciate you being willing to go back to square one and engage with the community.

Burke: One of the unfortunate things when a process unravels, staff came back and thought 'There's ways to do this' but it was almost impossible to continue on and do those.
Brockett: Which is appropriate.

Morzel: Having gone through west TSA and north TSA, I was much more aware of what was going on with the TSA. Ppl need to be much more aware. I want to thank you for leading your dept. as well as you have. I appreciate you owning up to some mistakes or whatever.

Morzel: I don't think a 3-yr-old can understand the city charter. I think it's pretty difficult for an 18-y-o.

It's sometimes difficult for this 31-year-old.

Taking out the pier and boardwalk was a good first step, Morzel says. Also a picnic shelter needs to go. And the proposal to have kids wade into the lake is not good: liability. "I don't know anywhere in OS where we wade ... or swim."

"It’s the wildlife that’s there that makes the experience so incredible for people."

Kids could help build trails, Carlisle said, "like my kid did."
Agrees with Morzel's comments; "the first thing about open space is preserve and protect."

"I think it's important to make the distinction between parks and the open space uses. And make those clear from the get-go, so people know this."

Yates: Thank you and your staff for the course correction. I think that took a lot of courage. Did a lot in restoring trust of us and our community.

Nagle: It was very elegant the way you handled the situation. I was impressed. I think ppl can take a page out of your book.

Jones: managing open space is like riding a bucking bronco. You’ve exhibited grace in that.

And @threadreaderapp unroll this one, too. Also please and thank you!