City to host pizza party in the park

The City of Sisters is inviting residents to a “Pizza in the Park” open house at Fir Street Park on Tuesday, September 27, from 4 to 7 p.m. to share their views on park and recreation needs and improvements. The open house will be teen-and-id-friendly to accommodate parents. The open house will be moved to City Hall if the weather does not cooperate.

As the population of Sisters increases and diversifies, city officials are working on how best to both accommodate growth and reduce its effect on city parks. All amenities and ideas are on the table, including new park and open space additions, upgrades to existing facilities, and recreation opportunities.

“We want our parks and open-spaces to be fun, safe, and accessible for residents of all ages and abilities,” said Troy Rayburn, the city’s project manager for the parks master plan. “More community input will help us achieve a well-thought-out decision-making process as the city begins to finalize the parks master plan.”

Using maps and other visuals, participants will identify where they think new parks, trails, and connecting paths should go; which amenities they prefer; and how they would prioritize and allocate funding for improvements.

Participants will be able to write, draw, or share their opinions verbally, and park-related arts and crafts activities will be available tailored for different age groups.

The City is preparing a new parks plan to align with the city’s 2021 comprehensive plan and anticipated population growth.

Rayburn added, “We are also thinking about our public events program that takes place in city parks and what those needs might look like in the future. In addition, we’re considering the need to conserve water to allow for cost-effective maintenance.”

This spring, the City began gathering input from different community perspectives about the parks and open space system. The process so far has included focus groups with youth, senior, outdoor recreation, and arts and culture community members; interviews with representatives of public, private, and nonprofit organizations; and interactive booths at two public events in June.

Following the September open house, the City and its consultants will draft recommendations and identify planned projects before finalizing the parks master plan later this year.

For more information, contact Troy Rayburn with the City of Sisters at [email protected] or 541-323-5220.