City of Dayton Parks Commission previews QR-code "park passport" pilot for summer

The City of Dayton Parks Commission on May 5 reviewed a proposal to launch a summer "park passport" pilot that would place a unique QR-code sign at each participating park and direct visitors to a Microsoft Forms page to register visits.

A committee member presenting the plan said the passport would encourage park exploration and community engagement while reducing administrative overhead by relying on QR-code validation instead of photo submissions. "The park passport will be run on a QR code basis," the presenter said, outlining a short form with verification questions and the possibility of awarding credits for visits.

Commissioners discussed limiting the pilot to roughly eight to ten parks to keep the program manageable, the durability and design of on-site signs, and how the form would track participants. Staff said the system can recognize returning participants automatically but noted the need to review privacy considerations and any necessary photo-release language before promotion.

The group also debated incentives. Some suggested modest, low-cost items (water bottles, sunglasses) or online certificates; others urged keeping the pilot simple with no physical prizes to minimize backend work. Accessibility and inclusivity were raised as priorities, and members emphasized making participation optional for families who do not post photos online.

Staff said they expect to target a June launch for the initial pilot window and will seek City Council approval at the next council meeting before broadly promoting the program. Commissioners agreed to prepare signage and presentation materials for upcoming community events and the open house so the passport can be teased if council approval is secured.

Next steps: staff will finalize the form and sign mockups, address privacy and waiver questions, and present the program to the City Council for approval.