Park Authority Idea Portal

About the Program

Category: County Administration and Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2020

The Park Authority Idea Portal is a virtual suggestion box that encourages staff engagement and allows those who submit ideas to track the progress of their suggestion from review through implementation. Ideas are posted to the portal for 30 days to allow comment and discussion from anyone on the Park Authority staff. Once the public comment period ends, the ideas are passed on to the Leadership Team or Director’s Office for review and possible implementation. Staff who submit ideas are invited to the Leadership Team meeting at which the idea is discussed, and they receive email updates about their idea’s status. The Idea Portal is promoted through email to all agency employees and through the staff e-newsletter. Ideas have run the gamut from name tags to solar panels, and they have covered subjects ranging from business and financial process, to workforce and customer enhancement, to cost savings and revenue generation, to new programs and services. The portal was designed as a means to improve communication within the Park Authority. It has had the added benefit of improving operations and morale, cutting costs and increasing environmental sustainability, and enhancing services for Park Authority visitors.