The Park & Connect initiative is designed to strengthen the relationship between the Village of DeForest, its residents, and neighborhoods by providing a platform for open dialogue about park and recreation-related concerns, ideas and community needs. This program encourages residents to engage with Village staff directly in the parks where they spend time, fostering a sense of ownership and community involvement in the future development and maintenance of there vital spaces.

Goals

• Engagement: Facilitate direct communication between residents and staff to discuss concerns, suggestions, and ideas for park and recreation improvements.
• Gather Diverse Perspectives: Collect input from a wide range of community members to ensure diverse viewpoints are represented.
• Awareness: Increase community awareness of current park projects, recreational opportunities, and the role of parks enhancing quality of life in DeForest.
• Enhance Transparency: Improve transparency in local government operations by openly sharing information about projects, policies and the decision-making process.
• Collaboration: build stronger community ties by bringing together neighbors and staff in a relaxed, outdoor setting, encouraging collaborative efforts to enhance the parks.
• Foster a Culture of Participation: Promote ongoing community involvement by creating a welcoming environment for residents to share their ideas and concerns.
• Feedback Collection: Gather valuable input from residents to inform future park planning, development and programming.
• Create Actionable Solutions: Using the collected feedback create a structured process for identifying, prioritizing, and implementing solutions.