The Eppley Institute, in collaboration with the Boulder Parks and Recreation Department (BPRD), has launched the 2012 City of Boulder Master Plan website. Boulder residents now have the opportunity to stay up to date with the latest news and updates regarding the Master Plan process. Most importantly, residents can stay informed of civic engagement events throughout the rest of 2012 and into 2013.

Civic engagement is critical during the Master Planning process. Opportunities such as public meetings, surveys, forums, and websites allow residents to be an integral part of the overall process. The public process must be balanced, open, and collaborative in order to create a plan that defines the community's needs and elicits its support. The Eppley Institute is hard at work to ensure that Boulder residents have every opportunity to weigh in on the issues facing their recreation needs.

Currently, the Eppley Institute and BPRD are working toward integrating the Master Plan website with Inspire Boulder. Inspire Boulder can best be described as an online, continuous, open-discussion forum. When the integration is complete, residents will have the opportunity to voice opinions and ideas regarding issues brought forth from the Master Planning process. In fact, residents will be able to bounce ideas and suggestions off of each other as well. When all is said and done, Boulder residents will be able to provide input 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Access to civic engagement opportunities ensures that residents are the building blocks of the upcoming City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan. Please visit boulder.parksandrecplan.org and www.inspireboulder.com for more information regarding civic engagement.