Residents are invited to chime in on park planning during an upcoming open house event at the Pickering Barn on Sept. 11.

The event is another opportunity for community input as the city continues its push to “reinvest, reimagine, enhance and diversify” Issaquah’s three anchor parks — Tibbetts Valley, Veterans Memorial and Issaquah Creek Corridor.

Findings of a site analysis, in which the existing parks’ conditions were evaluated, and feedback already received will also be shared with residents during the gathering. City staff will be available at informational stations and will take detailed notes on what they hear to assist with follow-up and next steps.

The idea to reimagine and diversify the parks emerged during 2018 parks strategic plans, said Issaquah parks planner Jennifer Fink.

“They’ve led very happy lives and in order to better serve our community they need to be reimagined and planned for future growth and future uses in order to maximize the space that we have,” Fink said.

Residents also brought forward the idea of connecting not only the three Anchor parks, but also destinations along the corridor, creating a more “complete experience” for both residents and visitors, Fink said.

At this point in the planning process, the city has not yet reached a point of developing options. As staff continue their efforts of input gathering, concepts will start to emerge and will be developed based on the feedback they get during future workshops.

According to a timeline listed on the city’s website, during late 2019 into 2020 conceptual design options will be shared via online surveys and future workshops.

Fink said improving the parks benefits the community in so many ways by “creating an opportunity to connect with other community members.”

“It provides opportunities for recreation, healthy lifestyles and just benefits our community,” she said.

Issaquah residents can take a self-guided tour of the Creek Corridor by downloading and printing a map found online at http://bit.ly/2k1aJyk.

Comments can be emailed to Fink at: jenniferf@issaquahwa.gov. Comment forms can be turned in at the Issaquah Community Center or to Parks staff at future engagement events.