INNOVATION

ONLINE ENGAGEMENT
The Internet has changed how we do just about anything, including
public engagement. Recently, TCRPC has used a website called Mind-
Mixer to engage residents in planning processes. With MindMixer,
specific questions can be posted online so residents can log in anytime
to answer the questions, share ideas, post comments and rate the ideas
of others. They can also post comments on a map identifying specific
physical improvements they would like to see. With MindMixer, residents
can not only interact with project planners; they can interact
with their fellow residents.
TCRPC is currently leading a regional bicycle planning process
called BikeConnect HOI. Its purpose is two-fold: to identify a regional
bicycle network that connects communities, and to identify other ways
Greater Peoria can become a more bicycle-friendly region. Check out
the BikeConnect HOI MindMixer website, online at bikeconnecthoi.
mindmixer.com.
INNOVATION BOARD
Effective public engagement must include going out into the community
to gather input from residents. One way we do this is by using our
Innovation Board, a portable chalkboard developed to gather public
input at community events. As different questions are posted on the
Innovation Board, residents, armed with sidewalk chalk provided by
TCRPC staff, can write their responses on the board. The Innovation
Board has proven to be a fun, effective way for TCRPC to go out into
the community to gather input for planning processes.
The Innovation Board has been used recently to gather input for
the region’s Long Range Transportation Plan and the BikeConnect
HOI Regional Bicycle Plan. Some of the events at which the Innovation
Board has appeared include Bradley University’s Welcome Week,
the Central Illinois Artists Organization’s First Friday event, and the
Central Illinois Black Expo.
OPEN HOUSE EVENTS
Meetings remain a valuable way to gather and share information about
a planning process, so TCRPC has sought to make them fun and easy
to attend by using an open-house format so residents can come to the
meeting at any time and stay as long as they like. Different stations are
set up throughout the meeting room so residents can learn about the
planning process and provide input at their leisure.
Residents also have the opportunity to engage in fun activities.
At an open house for the Long Range Transportation Plan, residents
played the “Money Game” in which they used “play money” to vote
for the transportation projects they thought were most important for
the region’s future. At an open house for BikeConnect HOI, residents
had a chance to win several gift certificates donated by local bicycle
shops. They were also able to draw on large maps to provide their ideas
for where bicycle connections should be established in the future. By
making these meetings fun, TCRPC hopes residents have fun as they
participate in local planning processes.
TCRPC continues to look for ways to be innovative in our public
engagement work. How can we make it easy and fun for you to participate
in a planning process? Whether online, at a community event or at
an open house, we hope to interact with you soon!
Nick Hayward, AICP is a planner with Tri-County Regional Planning
Commission. Let him know your thoughts at nhayward@tricountyrpc.org
or (309) 673-9330.
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