Avalon Vision 2020 Community Vision

In 2003, 40 Avalon residents spent three months developing a shared picture of how they hoped their community would be in 2020. The vision statement that follows came from that work and was officially adopted in August 2003 by the City Council of the City of Avalon as a guide for planning and future development.

AVALON: A healthy, small town island community–A quality cultural resort–A model ecological town

Avalon stands apart from other small towns because of the natural beauty of its island setting and the character of its historic atmosphere. Community members take pride in Avalon, embrace its cultural diversity, and are careful stewards of its history and local customs. It is a welcoming, connected town where people recognize their responsibility to one another and collaborate to strengthen everyday life.

Avalon is envisioned as a clean, safe place. Residents can obtain dignified and affordable housing, quality school facilities, many post high school educational options, and plentiful recreational, cultural, and social spaces, services, and programs. The community’s limited land is managed thoughtfully for both residents and visitors. Public infrastructure is sufficient and properly maintained. Laws and codes, including aesthetic standards, are enforced. Drug and alcohol abuse are not tolerated. Residents and visitors receive excellent medical and public safety services.

The community remains uncrowded while maintaining the resident population and annual visitor density needed to create enough economic activity to pay for local priorities and help sustain residents. Noise and vehicle congestion are kept in check. A public transportation system that is affordable helps reduce dependence on personal vehicles.

As a resort destination, Avalon gives visitors a quiet, calm, distinctive, high-quality vacation experience. The community keeps working toward excellence in cleanliness, customer service, and product quality. Opportunities for recreation are widely available both on the water and on land.

Avalon demonstrates environmental awareness and stewardship. The community works to adopt technologies, products, and practices that improve energy efficiency, cut pollution and waste, conserve water, and protect the island environment, along with the town’s natural features and open spaces. Avalon Bay is a national model for water quality. Through a comprehensive energy plan, the community aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels for both electricity generation and vehicle power.

The community relies on wise planning and creative solutions as it works to bring this vision to life for residents and visitors.