Public Engagement in Planning a Future Whitewater Park

Abstract

This project was completed as part of a year-long partnership between Carver County and the University of Minnesota’s Resilient Communities Project (http://www.rcp.umn.edu). The Carver County Water Management Organization is investigating the feasibility of removing or restructuring a dam on the Crow River near downtown Watertown. The purpose of the removal/redesign is to improve the fishery in the river, reduce bank erosion, and potentially create an engineered whitewater recreation attraction to boost tourism in the area. The goal of this project was to develop a public participation plan to engage residents in conversations about designing, planning, and restructuring the dam. In collaboration with Carver County project lead Paul Moline and Watertown City Administrator Shane Fineran, a team of students in PA 5145: Civic Participation in Public Affairs, developed a public engagement plan focused on visioning and design. A final report and poster from the project are available.