The city began its process this week to prepare for community discussion of the proposed Strawberry Plant Park project.

The city held several meetings with neighbors and citizens who had voiced concern over the project in the past, to begin the process of planning a public meeting on Nov. 7 at which the project will be revisited.

Tuesday, the city and stakeholders spoke about the historic value of the park; Wednesday two meetings were held, focusing on access to the shoreline and the city’s process that led the project to its current point.

The city hired a facilitator, Dee Endelman of Keys Consulting, to help work as a go-between for the city and citizens.

Endelman, who is working with Long Range Planning Manager Libby Hudson, is hoping to find a middle ground between the city’s desire to protect shorelines and citizens’ goal to maintain the park’s historical character.

“I don’t really know enough to really put something together that day that will necessarily be the best for you,” Endelman said at a meeting about waterfront access. “You guys know what you need.”

Endelman said she will meet with neighbors and stakeholders several times this month before the November meeting, which may be an all-day affair.

The project was stopped in July when numerous protesters dressed in life jackets attended a City Council meeting to fight the proposed restoration of the shoreline.

The city determined at the time that there was a misunderstanding between the planners and the citizens as to what would happen to the park.