Last June, the City of Kenmore embarked on a yearlong community engagement effort called, “The Love Where You Live Project.” The project aims to gather broad input from community members on their goals and priorities for the future of Kenmore.
Inspiring Connection and Creativity
The Love Where You Live Project was inspired by the book, “Dream Play Build,” by James Rojas and James Kamp. The book encourages organizations to try a different type of community engagement – one that inspires connection, creativity, and fun. Two key engagement takeaways from the book are:
• The Baked Cake Metaphor:
Oftentimes, when a local government asks their community for feedback, they are presenting a project or idea that has already been prepared; essentially a “baked cake.” The public then may be asked to provide feedback about that project, akin to asking what flavor icing they would like on the already-baked cake. One goal of the Love Where You Live Project is to allow the community to provide input to shape future planning before there is a preconceived project or agenda – without a pre-baked cake. With this project, the cake is not yet baked and there are a variety of ingredients and flavor choices that can be envisioned and discussed.
• The Place It! Approach:
This method asks participants to use their hands and “found” objects to build 3D models or expressions of their ideas. Authors Rojas and Kamp posit that when participants use their hands to build something, they unlock a more creative part of their brain, helping spark ideas without relying on words to communicate them. This method is remarkably effective at teasing out community members’ dreams and desires from hands-on activities.
Making Connections at Summer Events
In the summer of 2023, The Love Where You Live Project kicked off with an engagement booth that was set up all around town to connect with as many community members as possible. The booth traveled to over 22 locations in Kenmore, including the Farmers Markets, Concerts at Saint Edward State Park, busy parks bustling with activity like Log Boom Park and ƛaxʷadis (Tl’ awh-ah-dees) Park, and outside the Hangar and Safeway.
The colorful booth invited community members of all ages to use their hands and imagination to build the future of Kenmore. A variety of found objects such as pipe cleaners, clay, hair curlers, building blocks, and other random items were set up on tables in the booth, and participants were asked to build something they would like to see in Kenmore.
Over 750 people participated in booth activities over the summer and many creative and inspiring ideas were collected. Participating in the Dream, Build, Play engagement created connections with community members who were out shopping for their weekly market vegetables or on their way to cycle or paddle, by allowing them to share their dreams for Kenmore through the physical representations of their ideas and the conversations they generated. An accompanying online survey was also available, which collected an additional 145 responses.
Some of the most popular responses collected were:
• More parks and playgrounds, including a dog park and splash pad
• A community center and/or community pool
• More restaurants and shopping options
• Increased environmental protections and opportunities for stewardship
Analyzing the Results Objectively Using Community Partnerships
The summer outreach events concluded at the end of August with over 1,100 total ideas and responses collected. The City partnered with a team of students from a University of Washington Bothell Business Project Management class who objectively organized, analyzed, and synthesized the collected responses. The students created a presentation of the results which was presented to the City Council on January 9, 2024.
Thank you to the students: Aurelia Jacquelinne, Sahej Oberoi, Vanny Nguyen, Adan Rodriguez, Muhammad Abubakar, Abdul Zia, Kayla Park, Hao (Gary) Fu, Myriam Mai, Jedy Alexander, and Professor Nick Cuhaciyan for their support of the project and commitment to quality results.
What We Heard
Student analysis included organizing the 1,171 collected community responses into 10 categories:
• Community Spaces (24%)
• Economic Development (21%)
• Environmental Stewardship (15%)
• Transportation (14%)
• Housing/Affordability (8%)
• Safety (7%)
• Art & Beautification (4%)
• Community Events (3%)
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility (2%)
• ETC. (2%)
Top Two Emerging Themes
With a combined 45% of the total responses, Community Spaces and Economic Development were the top two themes that emerged from the summer engagement feedback.
Community spaces was the number one category, with over 24% of the total responses. Some of the most popular ideas received included a community pool, more parks and playgrounds, sports facilities, a dog park, Lakepointe development opportunities, protecting our open spaces, requests for more gathering spaces like Log Boom Park and the Hangar, and for a community center and larger splash pad.
The second highest ranking category was Economic Development, with 21% of the total responses. Dining was the number one topic brought up, including community members asking for more sit-down and family-friendly restaurants and more opportunities for shopping locally. Other trending topics in this category included Lakepointe development and downtown development.
Statistically Valid Surveys
The City is working with EMC Research to conduct two statistically valid surveys as part of The Love Where You Live Project. The first survey was conducted from December 4 – December 19, 2023, and asked broad questions about the direction and priorities of Kenmore. The survey had 300 respondents.
The second survey will be conducted in March 2024 and will build on the data collected from the first survey. These two statistically valid surveys are helpful tools to compare with the results of the project’s qualitative data collection methods at engagement events.
What’s Next?
Phase II of The Love Where You Live Project has begun with more opportunities for community engagement and providing input. Building on the themes that emerged from the first phase of engagement, the City would like to hear more from community members about the top two themes of Community Spaces and Economic Development.
The City of Kenmore will be hosting four community workshops at different locations around Kenmore in February and March (see details below). Everyone who works, lives, or recreates in Kenmore is invited to participate in these workshops. Community members will have the chance to try the hands-on methods from “Dream Play Build” to think about the future possibilities for Kenmore’s downtown and Lakepointe. There will also be informational tables about other projects and happenings in the city, a kids activity table, and light refreshments, so please come and bring your friends and neighbors.
These workshops are family friendly and open to all ages. Each workshop will have the same format, and we encourage community members to attend as many sessions as they like. The Love Where You Live Project will continue through 2024 and new ideas are always welcome. You can follow along with the project at kenmorewa.gov/lovewhereyoulive
