Title
Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update
Description
This report provides the Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee an update on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan project.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY
Report
Summary
The goal of the Parks Master Plan is to create a comprehensive, long-term strategic plan to use as a guiding tool for future development efforts in developed and undeveloped parks, improve recreational facilities, and evaluate amenities and programming opportunities. Community demographics and recreation trends will be assessed to ensure equitable access and delivery of programs and services. The Master Plan will also assess opportunities and constraints for design improvement and best practices related to Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design and water conservation strategies.
The Master Plan process will feature a comprehensive community engagement effort to gather input on the needs and priorities of various stakeholders, including park visitors, community groups, nonprofits, arts and cultural organizations, schools, recreation providers, and other partner agencies. Public engagement will be conducted using a variety of methods including an interactive website, surveys, in-person meetings and events, public workshops, community focus groups and outreach to youth through schools and after-school programs. Additional outreach efforts will involve utilizing social media, City newsletters, email distribution lists, and marketing through partners. Community outreach will be conducted in both English and Spanish.
To begin to generate awareness about the Master Plan, a website parksmasterplanphx.com was developed in the fall of 2023, with information about the Master Plan and an online survey tool. Since then, more than 1,000 people have completed the online survey. Additionally, outreach has been conducted at more than 50 events including neighborhood resource fairs, block watch meetings, park activation events, community and neighborhood meetings and events, community budget hearings, holiday events, Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods (G.A.I.N) celebrations, and Coffee with a Cop gatherings. A Parks Master Plan contest was also conducted engaging 960 students from 28 Phoenix Afterschool Program sites. Children ages 6-13 created models reflecting their dream parks. These models were displayed in the City Hall atrium, where city employees judged and selected three winners. Park models demonstrated children’s creativity and desire to include open green space, water features, playgrounds, athletic courts, shade and more.
The Master Plan formally launched on September 3, 2024. As part of the launch a new interactive Social Pinpoint engagement tool was introduced to obtain meaningful feedback from the community. Social Pinpoint allows residents to pinpoint specific park locations in the city and share ideas or suggestions. Since the launch of Social Pinpoint, the department has received over 1,200 online comments. Along with Social Pinpoint, the community can also take a survey, send an email, or call the 24/7 project hotline to share feedback. Additionally, parks staff has continued to present to block watch groups and neighborhood associations and attend community events such as the Neighborhood Leaders Conference. Staff will also be actively engaging with residents at the 2024 G.A.I.N. events. All data obtained through the community engagement process will be used to identify community priorities and needs, ensure equitable access and inclusion, prioritize funding and identify opportunities for partnerships to secure alternative funding sources.
Preparation for the water efficiency and turf evaluation components of the Master Plan is also underway. The consultant team has been actively monitoring select parks using digital water pressure recorders. These devices track fluctuations in dynamic water pressure during system operations, providing real-time data on irrigation system performance. This information is critical for analyzing water usage patterns and informing decisions about system upgrades, repairs, and irrigation schedule adjustments, all of which support our ongoing conservation strategies. Furthermore, a turf evaluation plan has been approved to assess the recreational and social benefits provided by park turf areas. This evaluation distinguishes between functional turf, used for programmed recreational spaces like sports fields and event areas, and nonfunctional turf, which may not offer significant value. The insights gained from this evaluation will guide decisions on how best to maintain and enhance the sustainability and usability of our parks, ensuring they meet the community's needs while promoting environmental stewardship.
It is estimated that the Parks Master Plan process will take approximately 18-months from start to completion.
The Department will return to the subcommittee with an update on the Master Plan in early 2025.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager John Chan and the Parks and Recreation Department.