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Prince George's County planning officials have launched a new project they hope will give residents unprecedented access and input concerning the county's future development.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission hosted its first "Envision Prince George's" community forum Tuesday night in College Park. The event was designed to gauge residents' perceptions of the county — what they like, dislike and how they want the county to look decades from now.

"You have a vast number of people here from different walks of life," said Eva Reid, a Beltsville resident who was one of about 140 participants. "It gives a different viewpoint for everybody."

The forum at the University of Maryland, College Park, was the first of five forums planned this year in the county. Participants had the opportunity to tell planners what they would like to see done in the county, as well as talk among themselves about the problems residents face.

Residents answered questions about their personal backgrounds and ideal county priorities using wireless keypads, which provided near-instant results about their opinions. Fifty-two percent listed housing and retail development near public transit stations among their top three priorities for the county and 48 percent wanted better education and workforce training in public schools. More than 60 percent saw high crime and bad school reputations as major obstacles to overcome.

Participants were able to provide more nuanced views during group discussion periods. In groups of eight to 10 people, residents talked about how they would improve the county in ways such as encouraging small business, teaching financial literacy in schools and providing environmentally friendly transportation.

"I'd like to see county bike-sharing programs," Brian Lentz, a Laurel resident and student at the University of Maryland, College Park, said to his group, which included county Planning Board Chairman Samuel Parker. "Biking is not a carbon-intensive mode of transportation, and it gives us a sense of community."

Nadine Maye of Suitland said that while the forum could prove effective in the long run, she found the tightly scheduled periods of button-pushing and timed discussion to be somewhat restrictive.

"It seems like the parameters for our opinions have already been established," she said. "In courtroom jargon, you would say they're leading the witness."

Organizers said the forum will facilitate community involvement between participants and help planners better understand the public's wishes.

"This is an opportunity for people to have their voices heard," said M-NCPPC spokeswoman Crystal Prater. "If we plan to compete in the future, we have to plan now."

Forums will be held at 6:30 p.m. tonight in Upper Marlboro, Dec. 1 in Oxon Hill and Dec. 3 in Landover. A youth forum will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 5 in College Park. Residents interested in participating should visit www.envisionprincegeorges.org or call 301-952-3594.