The Zilker Park Vision Plan project has placed a strong emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion, employing a range of strategies and initiatives to ensure that all community members have a voice and an opportunity to shape the future of Zilker Park. The project has adopted a comprehensive approach that encompasses accessibility, interactivity, and the inclusion of a diverse population. By integrating these principles into the planning process, the project team has sought to create a vision plan that reflects the needs, aspirations, and perspectives of the entire Austin community.

One of the key aspects of the project’s approach has been comprehensive engagement. Recognizing the importance of reaching all corners of Austin, the planning team made a deliberate effort to connect with residents in all 10 City Council Districts. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the project hosted a series of virtual community meetings supplemented by an in-person Open House in 2022. These meetings were designed to be inclusive and accessible, providing translation and interpretation services in languages such as American Sign Language (ASL) and Spanish. The project team has ensured that all promotional materials and content are translated into Spanish and release the promotional poster in 5 different languages: English, Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, and Hindi. By offering these language services, the project team aimed to ensure that individuals from diverse linguistic backgrounds could fully participate and contribute their insights.

Community surveys have played a vital role in gathering feedback and identifying which council district we need to have additional outreach. Throughout the planning process, multiple rounds of surveys were conducted, each focusing on different aspects of the Vision Plan. These surveys were made available online and in-person at pop-up events held in each district and Zilker Park. By offering multiple avenues for participation, the project team aimed to ensure that individuals who may face barriers to online engagement or prefer in-person interactions had equal opportunities to contribute their perspectives.

To foster broader engagement, the project team leveraged online platforms such as SpeakUpAustin and Storymap. These platforms served as spaces where community members could share their stories, experiences, and ideas about how Zilker Park could become more inclusive for all. By utilizing these web-based tools, the project team aimed to create accessible and interactive opportunities for participation, particularly for individuals who may not have been able to attend community meetings or pop-up events.

Recognizing the importance of meeting community members where they are, the project team organized more than 100 pop-up events in key locations across Austin, including all 10 districts and Zilker Park. These events provided a platform for engaging with a diverse range of individuals, allowing for meaningful conversations and the collection of valuable feedback. By taking the project directly to the community, the team aimed to bridge gaps in participation and ensure that diverse perspectives were represented in the Vision Plan.

In addition to large-scale community engagement efforts, targeted small group discussions were conducted, focusing on specific topics such as equity and inclusion, partnerships, and ecological enhancement. These focused discussions provided an opportunity for community leaders and groups to contribute their insights and perspectives, allowing for more in-depth exploration of critical issues related to Zilker Park.

Efforts to promote the project and its engagement opportunities have extended to media channels, including press releases distributed prior to each community meeting and engagement events. Major media outlets have covered the planning process, raised awareness and encouraged broader community involvement. The project team has also utilized social media platforms, such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Nextdoor, to share updates, meeting details, and opportunities for engagement, ensuring that diverse audiences are reached through multiple communication channels.

Various communication methods have been employed to reach community members effectively. PARD staff sent email notices to community members across several mailing lists, sharing information about the project, meeting schedules, materials, survey links and results, and pop-up event schedules. Additionally, signs and banners were strategically placed in high-traffic areas throughout Zilker Park, featuring QR codes that enabled park users to easily access the survey and project website using their mobile devices. Flyers were also distributed at pop-up events, parks facilities, and local businesses, allowing for wider dissemination of project information.

To deepen connections and gather input from individuals who may not typically participate in engagement processes, the project team piloted a community ambassador program. This program involved selecting community ambassadors who conducted in-depth interviews with community members about their perspectives on Zilker Park. By engaging directly with community leaders and ambassadors, the project team sought to capture insights and perspectives that might have otherwise been overlooked, ensuring a more inclusive representation of the community’s needs and aspirations.

In summary, the Zilker Park Vision Plan project has taken deliberate steps to consider diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout its engagement activities. By utilizing a combination of virtual and in-person meetings, surveys, online platforms, pop-up events, small group discussions, language access, media promotion, and community ambassador engagement, the project team has strived to create inclusive spaces and opportunities for all community members to participate and shape the future of Zilker Park. Through these efforts, the project team aims to ensure that the Vision Plan truly reflects the diverse voices and aspirations of the Austin community, making Zilker Park a place for all.