Community engagement was a defining strength of the City of Defiance (OH) Parks & Riverfront Master Plan.

At the confluence of the Maumee and Auglaize Rivers, Defiance’s parks and riverfronts are central to community life. The Parks & Riverfront Master Plan, developed by JPR and Hometown Initiatives LLC, creates a unified vision that connects these spaces into a cohesive system focused on health, resilience, and placemaking. Informed by technical analysis and community-driven priorities, the plan outlines actionable strategies to enhance access, strengthen connections, and position the riverfront as a defining civic asset.

Central to this effort was a commitment to meaningful community engagement. From the beginning, the goal was clear: create a plan shaped not just for the community, but with the community.

To ensure broad representation, JPR implemented a comprehensive outreach strategy combining in-person events, online tools, stakeholder meetings, and ongoing communication efforts. Over the course of the planning process, input was gathered from nearly 2,500 participants—including residents, civic leaders, business owners, families, and park users from across the City.

Engagement opportunities included:

•       Community workshops designed as interactive sessions with presentation updates and idea boards

•       Stakeholder interviews and focus groups providing insight into specific community needs

•       Steering Committee meetings with 18 members representing diverse community perspectives

•       Multiple online surveys generating hundreds of responses

•       Participation in a community event where the team gathered feedback from both adults and children

•       Joint meetings with the Park Board, Plan Commission, and City Council to ensure alignment with City leadership

The team also leveraged digital outreach to expand participation. With more than 1,200 followers, the dedicated Facebook page (Defiance Parks & Rivers) generated over 263,000 views and 3,500 interactions by the end of the project—significantly broadening awareness and engagement beyond in-person meetings.

“You guys have wonderful ideas on how to make Defiance POP! I am impressed with how well put together this has been presented to the public and the survey is so beneficial and shows very well detailed examples of what we could expect to come to our town. Great job.” - Defiance Resident

Importantly, engagement was not passive.

Workshops featured interactive boards where residents could react directly to concepts, prioritize projects using categorized cards, and refine ideas in real time. Surveys were deployed at events and online to capture both immediate reactions and more considered feedback. Flyers were distributed throughout downtown businesses, posted on the City’s website, and shared at community events to maximize visibility and accessibility.

The feedback revealed clear themes: a strong desire for greater river access, improved connectivity, inclusive play environments, enhanced communication about park amenities, and a focus on improving existing parks rather than simply expanding the system. These insights directly shaped the plan’s priorities and recommendations.

Through this layered and transparent engagement process, JPR ensured the Master Plan reflects the lived experiences, aspirations, and values of the Defiance community. The result is not just a planning document, but a community-authored roadmap for the future of the City’s parks and riverfronts.

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