Encinitas to Survey Residents About Parks, Beaches, Trails

ENCINITAS, CA: The city of Encinitas is asking community members to participate in one of two surveys as it works to create a draft Parks, Beaches and Trails Master Plan.

A 25-question survey was mailed Friday to 3,500 randomly selected residents.

"This approach is important because in order for survey data to be statistically valid, survey responders must be representative of the larger Encinitas community," city officials stated in a news release. "Residents selected for this survey can submit their responses by mailing in a completed survey or by using a unique password provided in their survey letter to complete the survey online."

In approximately two weeks, the survey will be opened up to the broader community so that any interested residents or business owners will be able to provide their input through an identical 25-question online survey. Full details on how to participate in the open survey will be released soon, according to the news release.

City officials will tabulate and analyze the survey results separately, but will use both in the master planning process.

The raw survey data will first be made available to the public during a community meeting this summer. Combined with input gathered at community meetings, the data will then will be used to create a draft Parks, Beaches and Trails Master Plan.

The draft plan is expected to be presented to the Encinitas City Council, as well as some of its advisory boards, such as the Parks and Recreation Commission, this fall. The meetings will be open to the public and the public’s participation in the meetings and throughout the planning process is invited and encouraged, according to the news release.

"Encinitas is a community that greatly values its parks, beaches, trails, and open space," said Jim O’Grady, director of Parks and Recreation for the city of Encinitas. "The surveys are an important part of the master planning process and are one of many inputs to be accounted for. Our goal is to develop a master plan for our parks, beaches, trails and open spaces that aligns with the preferences and desires of Encinitas’ residents."

City officials noted that GreenPlay, LLC — a nationally recognized firm that has assisted more than 300 cities and counties develop such plans — has been hired by Encinitas to ensure that the process of developing this master plan is as comprehensive and inclusive as possible.

Thus far, GreenPlay has worked with city staff to update its inventory of beaches, parks, trails, open space and facilities, met with numerous community groups and leaders, and has hosted an initial community workshop to obtain community perspective on how this plan should be developed, according to the news release.

For more information on the Parks and Recreation Department and the master plan development process, visit EncinitasParksandRec.com/MasterPlan. To learn more about GreenPlay, visit Greenplayllc.com.

(Photo: Chad McDonald via Flickr)