Announcing: Park Design Community Workshop Series, Spring 2026

AV Service Learning Team students and the AV Community Park Project planning team are working together to plan and facilitate a series of community workshops this spring to invite community input on park design. The series will span from February to May, and feature targeted design workshops within the schools (at AV Adult School, the Elementary School and the Jr/Sr High School), as well three public sessions.

The objective of these workshops is to engage community members in identifying and designing new park features to include in the park expansion, in addition to existing plans for the skatepark, restroom and pavilion. We'd like as many AV community members to participate in these sessions as possible, and we welcome all ages -- from kids to seniors!

The three public sessions will be distinct in content. Please do feel free to join all three, or jump in to whatever session you can make! The content is as follows:

Session 1 (March 12 @ Senior Center): Identify and prioritize potential new park elements

Session 2 (April 18 @ AV Community Park): Finalize new element selection; design and locate new elements

Session 3 (May 9th @ AV Community Park): Gather input on landscaping, art and safety

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The AV Community Park Project encompasses the AV Skatepark Project and is a mission to create a vibrant and welcoming community gathering and recreation space by expanding the existing AV Community Park (adjacent to AV Health Center and AV Jr/Sr High School). The current park is designed to serve young children. Our aim is to add new features that will invite all segments of the community, addressing the necessity for free, public gathering and recreation options in Anderson Valley.

We've already completed a custom design for the skatepark through a series of community input sessions. But there is still a large undesigned area in the new park expansion. As we fundraise and apply for grants to cover the cost of the skatepark and associated essential elements (e.g. restroom, drainage, pathways), we have the opportunity to include other new park features. This is an exciting opportunity for the AV community!

While adding new elements increases the scope and cost of the overall project, it also improves our chances of being awarded large park development grants by expanding populations that the park will serve. Our chances are further improved if these elements are shaped through community input.

AV Skatepark Project fans, have no fear: the skatepark still takes first priority and we will charge ahead with development as soon as we have funds in place to do so!