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The new Maple Avenue park will look a lot like the area does now, if the 358 responses to a survey the Town of La Conner sent to residents last summer shape the park’s design.

Almost 95% voted for at least a portion remaining open space, with 54.6% supporting its current configuration and 39% wanting a portion in grass. Nearly half, 45%, would come without children, with 17% regularly bringing kids and 38% occasionally accompanying children.

Over 80% agree to benches, tables and trees. Few want court sports. Less than 4% hope the majority of the park is paved for courts, while 65.2% said no to courts. Some court space was the choice of 31% of responders.

Given choices for the design of the park, over 50% checked free play space and almost 50% checked trees, benches and tables. Over 30% favor a children’s playground. A dog field and community garden each received almost 30% approval.

Given eight options for park use and the choice of more, right amount and less, the highest hopes are for trees, benches and tables. Open space, as a dog field, free play field and T-ball field were the priority uses followed by “more” community gardening space; none exists in town now. Court sports, a micro-sports field and the community garden were on either side of 20% for having less interest in these uses.

Over 100 people offered suggestions for the park and a similar number provided comments. These were wide ranging, with many criticisms of elected officials' management of the purchase, sale and loss of the Hedlin property as a ballfield and open space. Many advocated for a dog park while a few were against that use. Suggestions ranged from building affordable housing to creating a water park.

Asked for further comments and told their “input is important!” some 125 people answered. The phrase “open space” was used 39 times. People were again for and against a dog space.

The following sentiment was expressed in several ways:

“La Conner has benefited from the versatility and accessibility of the open space at this park for more than 60 years. We hope the Town will consider that legacy of public use as they consider the future of this park. Thank you.”

The new 2,400 square foot Maple Avenue park is south of Talbott Street and next to the new Landed Gentry housing development under construction now.

The town’s park commission developed a survey last spring that was mailed with the September water bill and made available online. Shelter Bay and area residents were encouraged to respond.

The survey results, in three pdf files, are on the town’s website with this statement: “This information will be used to guide the future design and for procuring grants to fund improvements on the park.”

The results are on the town’s website under the Commissions link: townoflaconner.org/.