Dear Pool Supporters,

Many of you have already spoken for pools during the Parks Department’s first week of public meetings for its Strategic Plan.  Thank you!  

The last 14 Parks meetings take place this week, so you still have a chance to get your voice heard.  The new Strategic Plan will guide Parks Department decisions for the next 5-10 years, so this is a tremendous opportunity to get public pools onto the Parks Department’s agenda. 

How to Help

• Attend one of the remaining 14 public meetings throughout Seattle this week.  Times & locations are listed here: http://seattlepools.org/actions-needed/.  Please ask Parks to prioritize pool space—indoor, outdoor, deep water, shallow water– whatever you feel strongly about. 
• If you can’t attend one of the meetings, you can still influence the Strategic Plan electronically: 
  • Take the Parks Department Strategic Planning Survey: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/Publications/BusinessPlan.htm.  You can make comments in support of pools at the end of the survey.
  • Alternatively, email your comments to soon-to-be-confirmed Parks Superintendent Tim Gallagher, care of Susanne.Friedman@Seattle.Gov. 

What Happens Next

After completing 30+ public meetings, the Parks Department will use public feedback to hammer out its core functions and goals.  Parks will publish a draft strategic plan, then hold another round of 30-plus public meetings in March 2008 to gather public comments on the daft.  After further revisions, Parks will submit a revised plan to the City Council.   We’ve heard that the feedback Parks receives from the public during this process will influence city leaders outside of the Parks Department (particularly the Mayor and City Council).

Watch www.seattlepools.org for the latest info on the Parks planning process and updates on how to help.  

Thank you for your support for public pools!

–Elizabeth

PS.  In case you have free time, you can also advocate for pools through your letters and email.  Tell city leaders how well pools “build strong families and healthy communities,” one of the Mayor’s key initiatives.  Contact info:

• Soon-to-be-confirmed Parks Department Superintendent Tim Gallagher:  Seattle Parks and Recreation, 100 Dexter Ave N.,Seattle, WA 98109; email c/o Susanne.Friedman@Seattle.Gov).   Letters sent to the Superintendent will influence the Park Department Strategic Plan.
• Seattle Mayor Nichols:  PO Box 94749 Seattle, WA 98124-4749. 
• City Council Members:  Addresses available at http://www.seattle.gov/council/councilcontact.htm