2.9 – Community Involvement 
Standard: The agency shall include community involvement in the planning process that includes ongoing and systematic outreach to include the entire community. It is critical that the diversity of individuals (i.e., all cultures, ages, and abilities) and local, regional, and national non-governmental community organizations, agencies, businesses, and service providers such as the Red Cross, Sierra Club, Trust for Public Land, YMCA/YWCA, Boys and Girls Club, and local foundations and employers are afforded opportunities for input.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Describe how the diverse interests (community organizations, businesses and individuals) of the community were involved in the planning process.
COMMENT: Question: Please describe an example of an input opportunity and how the results were used in the planning process. Were the results shared with staff or consultants?
RESPONSE: PRC held a public meeting in March 2024 as part of an outreach effort to inform the local community about the Glen Island Bridge Reconstruction project. (See EOC 11). Several people attended the meeting including local residents and members from the nearby boat clubs. PRC design consultants presented the project and addressed various inquiries from the meeting participants. Comments from the meeting were carefully considered by PRC and served as valuable insights for the design consultants guiding them in refining their project approach, addressing concerns, and enhancing their design recommendations.
REVISED AGENCY EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE:
Narrative:
PRC incorporates community involvement as part of its planning process. Input comes from the public and citizen groups in many ways including from surveys, social media channels, email, policies, and by conferring directly with community and Friends groups.
The recent Residents Recreation Preferences User Survey helps determine parks and recreation needs throughout the County. The results of the random sample of approximately 800 households yielded a 95% level of confidence. This has been followed up by the use on Instant Input Surveys at various parks where visitors can scan a QR Code to answer questions and provide feedback.
Visitors are encouraged to comment by email to parksinfo@westchestergov.com. Staff handle the comments and responses and track them for analysis. Comments posted on such social media channels as Facebook, Instagram and X {Formally Twitter}, about programs and services receive timely responses.
The County Executive instituted Executive Order NO. 2 2018, known as the Good Neighbor Policy, requiring all Departments to obtain input from local municipalities and their residents pertaining to “decision-making processes regarding the use of County Land.” PRC staff works cooperatively with municipal officials to inform local residents of park improvement projects and to allow the opportunity for review and comment.
The County Executive has spearheaded contests to get citizen involvement. As an example, the public was asked to submit names for a new ride at Playland and a camp group picked the winning name.
Many citizen Friends groups who act as advocates hold their own regular meetings and frequently meet with PRC staff to provide input.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
2.9 – EOC 1 PRC Residents Recreation Preferences Survey
2.9 – EOC 2 PRC Instant Input Surveys QR Codes
2.9 – EOC 3 PRC Instant Input Survey Results Recreation
2.9 – EOC 4 South County Trailway Twitter X Comment
2.9 – EOC 5 PRC Contact Us Webpage
Contact Us (westchestergov.com)
2.9 – EOC 6 ParksInfo – Lasdon Comment and Response
2.9 – EOC 7 PRC Compliment Complaint Report
2.9 – EOC 8 WC Executive Order NO.2 2018: Good Neighbor Policy
2.9 – EOC 9 Name Ride at Playland – County Executive Contest Announcement
2.9 – EOC 10 Westchester Parks Foundation – Our Mission Webpage
Our Mission — Westchester Parks Foundation (thewpf.org)