2018 World Cafes Summary of Input (pdf)
WHAT IS A WORLD CAFE?
Fun, interactive meetings designed build connections between participants and facilitate productive conversations in small groups. In rotating groups of 4-3, we asked people to discuss a series of questions about values, wants, needs, concerns, and tensions. Three meetings were held:
- September 25 at Cary Memorial Hall
- October 23 at Estabrook Elementary
- November 27 at the Lexington Community Center
WHAT DID WE HEAR?
We talked with more than 120 people between three World Cafés about roughly 60 topics facing Lexington. To help digest these conversations, we’ve organized categories and picked out some highlights.
LAND USE (50 COMMENTS)
• 50% mentioned zoning regulations, with most identifying them as a concern and a priority.
HOUSING (169 COMMENTS)
• 56% referenced creating and maintaining affordable housing options, including 22% specifically about affordability for seniors.
TRANSPORTATION (203 COMMENTS)
• Across a wide variety of issues, 20% talked about bike infrastructure, 17% about traffic, and 14% about walkability.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND VITALITY (137 COMMENTS)
• Across a wide variety of comments, 31% referenced the importance of the Town Center and 26% on the need for diversity in commercial development.
DEMOGRAPHICS (105 COMMENTS)
• Most conversations centered around ethnic (45%) and economic diversity (33%), both as areas of concern, with some positive progress identified regarding ethnic diversity.
PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SCHOOLS (163 COMMENTS)
• 45% mentioned public schools, focusing on value and the need to plan for the future. Town facilities of all types are highly valued.
CULTURAL & NATURAL RESOURCES (112 COMMENTS)
• 70% of comments dealt with ‘traditional’ resources—open space, conservation areas, parks, and recreation facilities. Residents also consider climate change resilience and sustainability a core component of the Town’s work.
TOWN IDENTITY & COMMUNITY (128 COMMENTS)
• Residents highly value the sense of community, history, and civic participation in Lexington, with 75% of comments valuing, seeing progress in, and prioritizing these items.