BEND, OR -- Alpenglow Community Park, slated for southeast Bend, is currently in the design phase. Project Manager Ian Isaacson says public input is still needed before construction can begin. "We take these suggestions and comments seriously, especially for a park this size and scale, it really does matter what the public has to say. That's a major, major factor in what drives the direction of the park project."

He tells KBND News the Bend Parks and Recreation District has received a lot of feedback, which led to development of two Master Plans; but now they need input on those options. Bend Parks and Rec will host a public forum Thursday evening. "The meeting is the next step in the process, engaging additional feedback on what we're proposing, what people like, what they don't like, and just garnering additional comments and suggestions from people," says Isaacson. "There's always things that come up that ends up being a great idea and we'll actually sometimes change plans because it's a new idea that we hadn't thought about before."

Thursday's public meeting is from 6 - 8 p.m. at the bend Senior Center on Reed Market Road. Isaacson says the best way to get involved is to study the master plans posted at Bend Park and Rec's website and come prepared with interesting ideas. For those who can't make the meeting, Isaacson says there's an online form for those who'd like to submit ideas electronically.