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Home My WebLink About008 2025-03-26_report 2025 Period Update_Connectivity Summit Engage JC had a table at the 2025 Jefferson County Connectivity Youth Summit; we also conducted six 20 minute sessions with youth introducing them to the GMA, comprehensive planning, and their options for public participation in local government’s planning efforts. Below you will find the raw data gathered during this event. We have included a summary and recommendations for planners in a companion document. Table 1–Input gathered at our table; includes a compilation of comments received in response to these questions : What’s one thing that you’d like to keep the same about your city or county? What’s one thing you wish you could change? Table 2–Responses gathered in the more in-depth engagement sessions. Responses are grouped with the question that prompted them. Table 1. Topic Comment Activities / recreation More youth activities or places to hang out More outdoor clubs learning about the environment Track and soccer opportunities in Quilcene More stuff for kids to do A turf field for sports More places to go More opportunities for youth, more great places like The Nest More youth sports opportunities Improved sports facilities More indoor, cozy hang out spots for kids and teens More places to play sports More social places for youth 2 Somewhere to hang out like a roller skating rink or bowling alley--indoor recreation More kids areas like the nest; a pool Rock climbing gym More artsy programs More activities for teens I love the environment and nature and want more programs/activities that sudents can utilize related to it More recreations for kids--skating, bowling, board games More things to do like sports--basketball I want there to be a new rec center with basketball I want the rec center to stay the same, and I want more basketball courts More youth places to hang out I want there to be a nice turn field for soccer I want more places to hangout (like a hangout place with food and snacks) I would like an abundance of music festivals More participation for the football program More activities for young people. The town is 40% seniors and its designed that way. As a teen there's nothing to do either uptown or downtown. New aquatics center I hope we get more sports areas and a better track I want more attention for wrestling (more) modern activites, ex: bowling Better facilities for sports Roller skating rink An arcade More public clubs for things Better track more evnts to go to, zipline, rock climbing Better sports for school More places to hang out Pool with better hours More places for kids Good theater programs; climbing gym More social clubs Improve rec center Youth Voice, 2025 Periodic Comp Plan Update 3 More access to facilities More access to facilities 24 hour library More places for youth to hang out, indoor/outdoor More youth mental health programs More outdoor activities A place to drive go-karts Opportunities for youth More activities for kids outside of school More hang out areas for kids More shopping options School More Advanced Placement options in school More resources for school Driver's education in school, please! More sponsorships, better financial support Better ways to help find opportunities: teen jobs, scholarships, other activities More support from schools on harrassment and bullying Economic Development More retail stores that appeal to teens More place open after 5 More places to find teen/kid clothing More thrift stores More business open downtown after 6 pm I want a Chipotle in town Things close too soon I want a McDonald's Affordable food More shopping for teens I want a Walmart More small business More places to buy teen clothing Infrastructure Better roads, more clear public transportation, Youth Voice, 2025 Periodic Comp Plan Update 4 More trash cans Stop signs and more visible crosswalks More lighting Extended sidewalks Free transportation to youth events Inadequate public transportation Dial-a-ride for young people too? Permanent fix to the potholes Sidewalks More buses Housing More housing opportunities, but not on the golf course More housing Affordable housing More housing, less old people Way more housing options for people looking to live Affordable housing Less expensive housing Career/employment More jobs more job opportunities More job opportunities in construction More jobs for high schoolers More job opportunities for youth Careers in landscaping / yard care More job opportunities that support future careers Better job opportunities for different ages (more than coffee shops) Paid internships More job opportunities and direct pathways to career More opportunities in different jobs/careers/professions, etc Better job opportunities for HS More career opportunities What they like about Jefferson Small community Youth Voice, 2025 Periodic Comp Plan Update 5 County: small community, close relationships the job & opportunity fair The buildings Parks and nature (Chetzemoka, North Beach, Fort Worden) People, farms Safety in the County I'd like to see it stay rural and not be overdeveloped Walkability Natural beauty I hope the community support stays Antique architecture Community support for sports I like the size of the community, I like the nature, and I like how weird it is I like that its a small community with lots of parks Good place to walk/run, and we still have a wonderful community Keep the old fashioned look to preserve the history of Port Townsend I like the cleanliness of our community Our community The forest Parks and natural places to hang out Keep PT LGBTQ+ friendly Cappies, Fort Worden Keep the buildings that make up downtown the same, but remodel areas that need improvement Kindness of community Youth programs Preserve natural landscapes and habitat Natural environment The restaurants and community Trails Unique community Small and safe town General Concerns Increased taxes are making my family's housing uncertain Youth Voice, 2025 Periodic Comp Plan Update 6 Child sex trafficking I would like to see more opportunities for youth to get involved in the community, such as helping the housing crisis, climate action, and education Climate change Table 2. What opportunities or barriers to you feel around participating in planning for the future? It's hard to get a word in being a minor Unpredictability. It's hard to know exactly what will happen Time--with working and helping people. I feel there are many opportunities in being able to particpate in planning in the future, allowing people's voices to be heard There aren't a lot of opportunities for teens and younger kids I can't drive and do not feel fit to do so, but I live so far from any communities and so I feel trapped Housing price is a barrier, I can't plan on buying a house in a new place. Freedom of when I can go to college is an opportunity Little to no local interest in "computer stuff," like video game making as an example. Overwhelming amounts of indfference toward anything other than "computer stuff." Transportation. Time priorities. Knowledge of the comprehensive planning process. Transportation. Living in Quilcene and Chimacum there is no way to access opportunities or fun things--this drives a lot of our student base to bad habits that further harm our schools reputation and general culture I would like more weekend opportunities that can work around school and sports I'm not planning on staying here through all of high school I don't plan on styaing her much, want to go to college elsewhere so I feel like I shouldn't help out since 1) won't be here and 2) feel like if I help it won't go anywhere It's hard building a science facility in a small town like this More opportunities to participate at times that work for students Lack of voice being heard; education More knowledge spread about these things, like forums Youth Voice, 2025 Periodic Comp Plan Update 7 Send letters to news, community forums Bias against youth--"kids don't know everything" My barrier to participation is not thinking about the future yet because I am so young Location--where I am it won't get enough say planning, so won't be helping overall for the future Not enough ways to give feedback Not knowing who to talk to I feel like I have a lot of opportunities through school I'd like easier access to more information, and easier ways to share my opinion I lack of ease to share my feeback and give my opinion on planning What are your top three concerns about the future of you/your family/the region? What is most challenging for you about living in Jefferson County? Drugs among minors Working as a minor Road work Too many tweakers where I live Not enough stop lights Later night clubs Money Housing paying Bills The most challening thing about living in Jefferson Co is accessibility to facilities. Lack of community & recreation centers Jobs Relationships Fun LIke before, the distance and seeming ack of opportunity is a huge issue, lack of community centers, and I'm concerend for the lack of affordable housing. It's either trash houses or 3 story homes built in 1860 I'm scared of WW3 I'm scared of 2 bedroom houses I'm scared there might not be any job opportunities in the area How will I get the money I need for life? What is my job Where do I live? Youth Voice, 2025 Periodic Comp Plan Update 8 Stable housing Income Sense of community The cost of living is far too high. Especially for youhng people, which could be a factor of why only 11% of poeple in Port Townsend are under 18 The cost of living in Jefferson County is way too high for young people to live comfortably without support A need for mor facilities, as well as more extracurricular activities for the youth of PT to connect and engage with Finances (everything is very expensive here) Lack if youth resources (for all sorts of things--metnal health, exercise facilities, youth spaces, and workshops) Housing Housing Resources Jobs in less common fields Accessibility to mental health help Places to go after 5 pm Schooling help Housing. Literally, just housing. Not many things to do Inflation is cringe. Lack of facilities Facilities Lack of things to do Lack of housing Not enough things to do for youth in Port Townsend Facilities in Jefferson County Inflation with prices Climate Change More affordable housing and opportunities for first time home buyers More sportws facilities (rec center is very run down and almost unusable) More wayts to get into school gyms Destruction of wildlife Money What to do In terms of Port Townsend, my biggest worries are how many think they can make the economy or traditional culture of PT by turning it into sometihng it isn't. I think it simportant to recognize Youth Voice, 2025 Periodic Comp Plan Update 9 the culture and history of our town. There isn't much to do in Jefferson Co for teenagers and if there is, it's always in Port Townsend. Housing prices are rising Not many teen friendly jobs/internships for teens under 18 Wildlife Open natural spaces Jobs What is your vision of a resilient, just, and livable community? Better roads Plenty of jobs (One) can rely on anyone (strong relationships) Plenty to do Plenty of jobs Fair prices Lot of house for the price Affordable housing, recreation centers, jobs, clean communities, long term housing, safe communities Equality Fairness Fun Kindness I don't know...it's almost like a perfect community can't exiswt, both physically and in my mind Bio-city. I don't want to see a car in PT or any other city. A community that equalizes every age group A community that acknowledges everyone's opinion. Affordable housing, solid education, good job options, and a very lively town Affordable housing for varying income levels Support for all ages Facilities Better investments in the programs that make the community affordable, livable, workable Well paying job opporutunities Affordable Housing More opportunities to further our education Better housing, more jobs, lower inflation, walkable cities More jobs, safe and cleaner communities More opportunities for college and better things to do for young adults to make people want to stay Youth Voice, 2025 Periodic Comp Plan Update 10 A community that gets things done, and is making steps forward in the world that help change our world A more self-reliant community, places for poeple who work the jobs that are required to run a resilient community to live in. More sports opportunities for young people. Always trying to improve A community that has areas and other stuff for all ages to enjoy; having listening to all points of view, or voices of all ages no matter what Jobs of all typew, I see very few businesses around science Affordable housing so everyone is welcome Youth Voice, 2025 Periodic Comp Plan Update