The following item was posted in the News section of the City of Oak Harbor website on August 1, 2023.
City’s Windjammer Park Feedback Report is Now Available
Link to Windjammer Park Survey Results (PDF)
Parks and Recreation Director Brian Smith and Communications/IT Manager Sabrina Combs presented the findings to City Council at the City Council Workshop on Wednesday, July 26. The collection of data from the April 2022 community feedback process about potential Windjammer Park Improvements includes responses from 703 respondents.
The responses answered specific questions about how to prioritize the current items staff identified for future improvements, demographic data, park usage, and priorities. Staff included descriptions and potential costs for each item to give the community as much detail as possible to make decisions between items.
Staff learned that 34% of respondents use the park on a weekly basis. It was no surprise to staff that putting the Windmill back in Windjammer Park was listed as a top improvement they would like to see. Staff found the results about why people visit the park helpful. The top responses included 77.52% of the people stating they go to the park for walking/running, while 57.04% visit the park for the beach. Some other top responses include dog walking, farmer’s market, playground, and Splash Park/Lagoon.
The top priorities include picnic areas, amphitheater/pavilion improvements, a dog park/run, and creating a great lawn. The community asked for more activities in the park. The staff recommendations to Council include additional feedback and response to recent issues like storm damage or facility repairs. The list includes:
- Repair Shoreline: Use existing funding to repair the shoreline and walking paths damaged by recent storms.
- Enhance the Pavilion: Request quotes from vendors for enhancements to the current pavilion to improve uses for concerts, outdoor movies, and entertainment events. Some of the current improvements are adding a backdrop and improving sound quality.
- Fix the Splash Park: Make necessary repairs to the Splash Park to repair and update the equipment.
- Improve Picnic/Seating Options: Add a shelter (covered area) for picnics/eating that provides dual uses for outdoor seating, shade, and rental opportunities.
- Rental Facility Improvements: Add barbecue grills, add remote-controlled locks on doors, add refrigerators, and door signage for reservations.
- Shady Areas Near Splash Park and Lagoon: Develop a plan for creating more shaded areas by Splash Park and Lagoon.
- Interpretative Center Available for Rental Use: Address requirements for security and sound to make the space available for City, public, and rental use.
Parks and Recreation Director Brian Smith stated during the presentation to Council, “Every comment is valuable to us as a Parks and Recreation Department. For each person commenting, there are dozens more who would like to see similar improvements. All comments will contribute to a Parks Master Plan…Good park design doesn’t try to cram every type of amenity into one park. It is okay to have parks with a particular focus or amenities, for example, a sports park, a dog park, etc.”
City staff have posted the report to the City website under the Spotlight section for the community to review.
“Overall, this was a lengthy process, and we appreciate the input and patience from Council and the community as we put this report together and begin the process to start working on improvements.” – City Administrator Blaine Oborn.
View the report and learn more about Parks and Recreation on the City website at www.oakharbor.gov.
On the Ballot in August 2023
| CITY OF OAK HARBOR |
|---|
| City Councilmember, Position 1 Tara Hizon, the incumbent |
| City Councilmember, Position 2 Andy Plumlee Patrick “Pat” Harman Chris Wiegenstein Incumbent Beth Munns did not file for re-election. |
| City Councilmember, Position 3 Eric Marshall, the incumbent |
| City Councilmember, Position 4 Wismine D’Avilar. (Ms. D’Availar has withdrawn, but will still appear on the ballot.) John Chaszar Barbara Armes Chris Wiegenstein, the incumbent, was appointed to this position after Filing Week closed. He had chosen to file for Position 2. |
| Mayor Craig Nurvic Nick Green Ronnie Wright Shane Hoffmire Incumbent Bob Severns did not file for re-election. |
