Bob Linz doesn’t have talking points or preconceptions about what the meeting on Jan. 23 will look like. In the course of a 20-minute interview about the subject, his most frequent response is “I have no idea.”
And that’s a good thing. He’s not concerned with his ideas for the park district’s undeveloped Sakai property. He’s concerned with yours.
The former executive director for One Call for All has led strategic planning for all sorts of island clients — Bainbridge Performing Arts, Bainbridge Arts & Crafts, Rotary Club, the Bainbridge Public Library Board. And next Saturday, he’ll kick off the public planning process for the “central park” property that the park district bought in July after voters overwhelmingly approved a $5.9 million bond measure this past February.
The whole purpose of the five-hour session is to hear what the community wants for the property.
“Our assignment is to hand the park district a list of recommended uses that are determined by the public,” Linz explained.
“The park district is real clear they don’t want to decide what’s going to be done with the property. They want the public to decide,” he said.
Linz, along with Neil Baker and Christina Hulet, will introduce a series of exercises designed to generate discussion based on the Open Space concept of convening groups.
“It’s not a lecture format or a teaching format,” Linz said. “In fact, we should be invisible. Our job as facilitators is to present an exercise then get out of the way.”
Some of the exercises will involve partners, others, groups of two or four, so that everybody will have a chance to speak.
“It’s a way of honoring everybody to different styles,” Linz explained. “If you’re a quiet person by nature that’s reluctant to raise your hand in a large group, your voice will still be heard.”
And, at the end of the day, every suggestion will be considered seriously. Someone might propose a pet rock cemetery or even a Walmart, Linz said.
“There’s no censoring going on,” he added. “Everything goes on the list.”
It’s a tall task for a single day, but Linz is excited about what the group can accomplish.
Although only 9 acres of the 23-acre property are designated as “usable,” “active space,” he expects that the public will also come up with creative suggestions for the wetlands and the 2-acre pond.
After brainstorming winds down, the group will break into topical interest groups. (Those who can’t make the meeting will still have the opportunity to join a group via the park district’s website the following day.)
And from there – the decision will be in the park district’s hands.
“I imagine the park district will hire the professionals to work their way down the list and decide what they can incorporate,” Linz said.
Parking is available at the high school. To register for free childcare (ages 5 and older), call 206-842-2306.
Can’t make it? Ask a friend to advocate on your behalf or send comments to Amy Swenson at amy@biparks.org.
Staff and board members will also be at the Sakai property from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, Jan. 16 to give tours of the site and answer any preliminary questions residents may have.
Tours start at the entrance of the Sakai property off of Madison Avenue (across the street from the Aquatics Center).
Park it
What: Public meeting for planning the Sakai property.
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23.
Where: Bainbridge High School commons. Lunch, coffee, snacks and free daycare for children over 5 will be provided.
