The Cascade Chapter of the International Association for Public Participation (IAP²) recognized the Portland Water Bureau and JLA Public Involvement with a 2016 Public Involvement Best Practice Award for the design phase of the Washington Park Reservoir Improvements Project.

The award acknowledges projects in Oregon and Southwest Washington that promote meaningful and innovative opportunities for community engagement.

"The project was recognized for successfully engaging interested and impacted stakeholders, resulting in meaningful input and broad-based support for both the designs and the process,” commented IAP² on Facebook.

During the design phase of the project, the Water Bureau and JLA team conducted stakeholder interviews, met nine times with a Community Sounding Board, regularly briefed many of the area neighborhood associations and business groups, met with historic advocacy groups, and communicated with the Portland Historic Landmarks Commission. Broader community outreach included sending mailers to neighboring addresses, outreach within the park, public open houses (both in-person and on-line), and presentations to Explore Washington Park.

Based on feedback, the following community values will be reflected in the project’s visual features: 

• Large expanses of water (reflecting pools/water feature)
• Retaining the historic character (accommodate and restore historic elements, incorporate new elements in deference to the historic district)
• Interpretive elements, quiet spaces, and habitat (lowland wildlife habitat area, bioswale)