FAQ

Thank you for visiting the Engage Kent Parks platform! 

Learn more about what this platform is with our frequently asked questions. Still have questions? Email us at MyKentParks@KentWA.Gov.

What is Engage Kent Parks? 

Engage Kent Parks is a new platform launched by the City of Kent’s Parks, Recreation & Community Services department. This is an online community engagement platform that allows Kent residents, businesses, and community organizations to participate in the decision making processes for current Parks department projects.

Why did you launch Engage Kent Parks? 

This online platform was built to help us create conversations and foster positive relationships between residents, businesses, and community organizations and the City of Kent to empower our diverse community to provide their input on Parks projects, programs, services, and planning for the future.

Who should participate in projects on Engage Kent Parks?  

Everyone! We encourage anyone living, working, or recreating in Kent to participate in as many projects as possible. 

Projects are set up to for readability in 109 languages through Google Translate.

How do I participate in projects? 

To participate in projects, you will need to register for an Engage Kent Parks account. Select the “REGISTER” button on any project page to create an account, then sign in. Once you are signed in, you are free to interact with the available options on project pages (surveys, comment forums, etc.).

Why do I need to register for Engage Kent Parks?  

We want feedback from Kent residents, businesses, and community organizations on our projects, programs, services, and planning efforts. To ensure the feedback we are receiving is true is real and genuine, and not from an online bot or individuals too far outside of our community, we require registration to provide input on projects. 

Registering also provides us with your email so we can provide you updates about the projects you are interested in.

What will you do with my contact information? 

Information collected during the registration process will only be used by Kent Parks to see which zip code participants live in.  

What will you do with information collected from each project? 

All feedback will be used to guide decisions on our projects, programs, services, and planning efforts.

What is community engagement?  

Community engagement is based in mutual decision-making and democratic process where collaboration between residents, businesses, community organizations and government is used to create a sustainable vision for the community’s future. Kent Parks wants to engage the Kent community to ensure that our constituents can provide feedback and offer input that will contribute to the future of our offerings and build a better Kent community.

Why is Kent Parks doing community engagement? 

Kent Parks does community engagement to ensure we have an equitable decision-making process, achieve sustainable outcomes, and better understand the needs and aspirations of our community. Community engagement will allow us to build relationships with our constituents and empower residents, businesses, and community organizations to speak up on decisions that affect their lives, neighborhoods, and the City of Kent.

Why is Kent Parks doing online engagement? 

We launched Engage Kent Parks to allow residents to have their say, at their convenience. Online community engagement also brings together diverse groups, including hard-to-reach communities, to dive deeper into conversations providing access to often neglected perspectives and voices.

Who do I contact if I want to talk to a Kent Parks staff member? 

Each project has a “Who’s Listening” section with contact information pertaining to that project. The staff member’s email and phone number will be listed there!

How do I participate? 

Each project will have their own engagement options; these include sharing a story or idea, taking a survey or quick poll, adding a pinned location to a map, and/or attending a virtual or in-person meeting. Each project has different tools which will ask specific questions targeting the information we are looking for.

Will I get emails for the projects I participate in? 

Yes, but only if you select the option for project updates.

Will I get other emails from Kent Parks? 

Yes. By registering for an Engage Kent Parks account, you are signing up to receive our bi-weekly Kent Parks eNewsletters. You may also get future emails about large-scale community projects that need your input. 

What if I don’t want to receive other emails from Kent Parks? 

That's okay! You may unsubscribe from Kent Parks eNewsletters at any time.