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Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Launched Parks and Recreation Survey

The city is seeking public feedback to shape its new long-term Master Plan for local park improvements.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Civic Engagement

Isometric editorial illustration showing a stylized public park path winding through trees and open green spaces in a coastal city environment.
The City of Santa Barbara has launched a community survey to gather public feedback, aiming to guide the development of its upcoming long-term Parks and Recreation Master Plan. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you plan to share your input on the future of your local parks and recreation?

The Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department has launched a community survey as part of its effort to develop a new Master Plan. Residents are invited to share perspectives to guide future city park and recreation improvements.

Why it matters

Public input is critical for establishing a long-term vision that ensures local facilities and services align with the needs and priorities of the community. Feedback collected through these efforts will directly influence the draft plan.

The city is hosting six in-person workshops and one virtual workshop to gather input, with Spanish translation services available for all sessions. The community survey, offered in English and Spanish, is open through October 31, 2026.

The players

Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department

This local government agency oversees the management and maintenance of parks, recreational facilities, and community programs within Santa Barbara.

ETC Institute

This research firm specializes in conducting market research and community surveys for local government organizations to inform policy decisions.

The details

The ETC Institute is managing a statistically valid survey to reach a representative sample of residents, while the city is hosting a series of seven total workshops for open public participation. These outreach efforts are designed to solicit community feedback to guide future developments and services managed by the Parks and Recreation Department.

Timeline

  1. The first in-person workshop is scheduled for October 14, 2026.

  2. A virtual community workshop will be held on October 21, 2026.

  3. The final in-person workshop is set for October 24, 2026.

  4. The community survey closes on October 31, 2026.

Political Context

While the city moves to gather broad consensus, opposition or skepticism often arises from residents concerned about potential tax impacts or shifts in funding priorities between different municipal departments. Stakeholders frequently push back against long-term plans that they perceive as prioritizing new development over the maintenance of existing neighborhood facilities.

Residents have the opportunity to influence which park amenities are prioritized, which may affect future municipal spending and local infrastructure projects. Participation ensures that the specific needs of local neighborhoods are represented in the city's official long-term development strategy.

The takeaway

Engaging in city planning surveys allows residents to have a direct impact on the public services and shared spaces they use every day. By participating before the October 31 deadline, citizens can ensure their specific community needs are considered in the final Master Plan.

What happens next

The city will hold a series of public workshops culminating in a final in-person session on October 24, 2026, and the community survey deadline on October 31, 2026.

Further reading

For more information on how to participate in local government initiatives, visit the Civic Engagement section.

More information

To review the project timeline or provide input, visit the Parks and Recreation Master Plan portal.

Live Poll

Do you plan to share your input on the future of your local parks and recreation?