Sustainable Communities Collaborative Contact Info
University Faculty Contact
Nelson Y. Dzade
Assistant Professor of Energy and Mineral Engineering
nxd5313@psu.edu
(814) 867-4227

Sustainable Communities Collaborative Contact Info

University Faculty Contact
Liana T Burghardt, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
ltb5167@psu.edu
814-863-6168

Lynnwood has an adopted park level of service that uses acres of parkland per 1,000 residents. Lynnwood reduced its LOS from 10 acres/1,000 residents to 3.5 acres/1,000 in 2016 due to rising land values, limited buildable lands, and cost of development. Lynnwood was seeking to adopt an alternative LOS methodology that helps our community improve access to quality parks for all residents and that is financially sustainable within the City Budget.

This project proposes using multiple data sources to analyze level of service alternatives and make recommendations for the City of Lynnwood’s update to the PARC Plan. Specifically, to complete a park usage study of all Lynnwood parks and trails to determine overall use, use patterns, and demographics of park users.

In the Winter quarter, graduate students created an initial conditions report for the City of Sultan. They contacted key informants and community groups to develop an understanding of city conditions, opportunities, constraints, and needs. Students held a public meeting at the end of the quarter. The initial conditions report and additional gathered data from community engagement will inform the following classes and the final draft plan.

In Spring quarter, students focused on moving from development of alternatives to draft plan development. They continued community engagement and public participation to inform this process.

In the summer, students focused on the draft plan. The draft plan was finalized and worked through the Planning Board and City Council process for approval. This phase will also include the SEPA checklist, the 60-day Commerce review, staff and Council review, public hearing, and final revisions.

Students also began a broad-based effort to find out what the community feels is missing from the current park and trail systems, and what they would like to see added to those systems in the future. Students conducted initial outreach efforts to City-selected stakeholder groups to gather input. Incorporating this initial feedback, they made recommendations on needed enhancements to specific parks and trails, and shape future outreach for this project.

Finally, students created a demographic profile of the city over time, including a current snapshot. The students reported their findings in a white paper which will inform subsequent classes and the final draft plan.

With an influx of visitors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the watershed is affected by E. coli due to several pollutants, mostly caused by human activities. As visitors continue to visit the Canyon, they often leave behind trash, namely diapers, which can then infiltrate and contaminate the watershed. After facilitating a series of community workshops and meetings regarding the issue of E. coli contamination in Oak Creek Canyon, key stakeholders, including the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality – Water Quality Division (ADEQ) and the City of Sedona, decided to partner with Leave No Trace to develop an educational communication campaign targeted at recreational users visiting Oak Creek Canyon. The campaign is targeted toward visitors and includes simple but effective messaging for visitors to reduce their environmental impact. 

A graduate student from the School of Sustainability evaluated the campaign’s effectiveness and visitor’s awareness of issues in the Canyon in partnership with ASU Project Cities, starting with a pilot survey during the summer 2022 recreation season. Following the initial analysis of the campaign, undergraduate students participating in the Sustainability Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) applied research program continued the study through fall 2022 and spring 2023. The students continued data collection with a revised survey and interviewed key community stakeholders to inform strategies and recommendations for managing E. coli contamination throughout Oak Creek Canyon. 

While the students found that people recreating near water sources are relatively aware of the Canyon’s water contamination risk, most recreation users do not identify E.coli as the source of water impairment. Generally, people on trails are less concerned about water quality issues, although all traces left while recreating in the watershed can potentially enter Oak Creek. Overall, the students found high awareness about the main causes of water contamination related to recreational activities, except for diapers, and the good practices for improving water quality. 

Visitors indicated the need for more education and infrastructure, such as garbage cans, pet stations, and restrooms. Based on the interviews with key stakeholders, students identified a critical need for more structured cooperation and communication among stakeholders to address water quality concerns in Oak Creek Canyon. Through greater collaboration, stakeholders can take a targeted approach to addressing issues in the Canyon through educational messaging and improved infrastructure.

The Passive Open Space Program is part of the City of Tacoma’s
Environmental Services Department’s Surface Water Program. The
program, which is responsible for maintaining 488 acres of wetlands,
forests, and other critical environmental areas in Tacoma, engages
volunteer community members who serve as Habitat Stewards and help
the City maintain these open spaces and ecologically critical areas.
The goal of this project was to better understand how the City of Tacoma
could increase awareness of, and participation in, the Passive Open Space Program, with a particular focus on the inclusion of historically underrepresented communities. Student researchers reached out to 20 community organizations and to more than 40 representatives of extracurricular programs at schools to set up focus groups. Of their initial outreach attempts, students successfully conducted two survey collection and activity sessions with middle school groups and outreach at one community center.

Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner.

Livable City Year Contact Info
Teri Thomson Randall
Program Manager
terir@uw.edu
206.221.9240

University Faculty Contact
Thao Huynh
Environmental Studies
Professor
tbh5@uw.edu

Local Government / Community Contact
Aris Efting