This week I had the opportunity to attend a Hance Park Steering Committee Meeting, which is a project I had been following during my internship. Hance Park is a downtown Phoenix park in the process of getting revitalized. Currently, a master plan is being created for the park. The steering committee is creating a set of guidelines for what should be in the park (i.e. park amenities, parking, etc.). The meeting I attended focused on the development of a dog park, skate plaza, amphitheater, concession stands, and bike community center within the park. Most of the time was focused on the dog park. The issue wasn't having a dog park in Hance Park, but where it would be located. There were some neighborhood residents opposed to having the dog park next to their homes. The committee members listened to what they had to say and voted on the location, which was next to the resident homes. All of the other amenities were past as well.
It was interesting to hear both sides of the discussion, from the public and from committee members. As each topic was addressed, the public was able to share their input right away instead of waiting for their names on the speaker's list, which allowed for a more natural conversation. Granted this wasn't a city council meeting, it was more informal, but I thought it made each side's discussion be taken into deeper consideration when the argument and the rebuttal occurring one after the next. Overall, it was an effective meeting.
This sounds like it was a great opportunity to see good communication at work. Opening up a more informal dialogue likely helped people relax and speak honestly.
ReplyDeleteThat's great that Hance Park is getting revitalized! It sounds like it is going to turn out great! It sounds like the meeting was a great experience. Glad it went well and was effective!
ReplyDeleteThat is good that the public had the chance to make comments, and hopefully they were taken seriously and will have an impact on the final outcome of the park.
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