On behalf of the Vashon Park District, I want to thank Jim Plihal for raising his thoughtful concerns in the Oct. 5 Beachcomber in feeling that the district’s community survey is too expensive and unnecessary (“Park district survey is too expensive, unnecessary,” Oct. 5). It is, indeed, expensive, but the survey is most definitely necessary. The survey will serve as the starting point for the district’s long-term strategic plan that will guide the district’s planning for the next six years. It is the district’s intent that the community guides this process, as our parks are your parks. Too, grant agencies require documentation of public involvement used to develop the plan. Surveys provide documentation of opinions on need, public demand for additional facilities, willingness to pay and participation rates.
As to the price tag of $30,000, the prior and current boards deliberated through much consideration and research. Research included discussions with research firms and other government agencies who verified the price tag based on the comprehensive nature of the survey and the boards’ desires: a high community response rate (requiring extensive marketing and outreach); professionally designed with statistical validity and a low margin of error (the margin of error is greatest when survey results are split 50/50); a high level of research, so the survey would serve as an educational tool as respondents considered the questions; a professional assessment and interpretation of the findings and a professional report for public viewing rather than just for internal use (transparency was an important consideration). Both boards felt it was our responsibility as a public agency to invest in meaningful planning and to be mindful of past criticism that citizens had not been consulted in a meaningful way.
Upon requesting consultant proposals, we intentionally requested examples of similar projects and costs, with literally 71 examples provided and vetted for comparison. The price tag was deemed reasonable, as those under $20,000 were typically single issue in nature, with smaller sample sizes and response rates and lower standards of validity.
We are grateful to Plihal for raising his concerns and encourage all Vashon residents to ask questions of your taxing agencies. As for the Vashon Park District, these are your parks, and we welcome your input and participation. If you have not already done so, please take the survey at vashonparks.org by October 15.
— Elaine Ott
