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 AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
The last comprehensive master planning effort for the Parks and Recreation Department was completed in 1988. In August 2020, staff began to move forward with a parks master planning effort and the Parks and Recreation Board expressed support of this effort at its Nov. 19, 2020 meeting. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and work required to prepare for the 2023 General Obligation Bond, the project was temporarily delayed.
In 2023, the Parks and Recreation Department re-engaged with consultants to explore development of a long-term comprehensive Parks Master Plan to finalize scope of work. Both developed and undeveloped parks, facilities and programs have been identified for evaluation and inventorying. Community demographics and recreation trends will be assessed to ensure equitable access and delivery of programs and services. Selected parks will also be assessed to determine opportunities and constraints for design improvement and best practices related to Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) and water conservation strategies.
The Master Plan process will focus on meaningful engagement with the community. A comprehensive community engagement process will be implemented to engage parks users, community groups, stakeholders, local businesses, non-profits, arts and cultural organization, schools, and other recreation service providers and partners. Outreach will be conducted in both English and Spanish. The department will also include other City departments to ensure consistency with other Citywide existing policies and plan.
The Parks and Recreation Department contracted with The Barnhart Company, a full-service public relations firm, to focus on community outreach efforts. In October 2023 and in tandem with Barnhart, the department created and launched a standalone website dedicated to the Parks Master Plan. The interactive website includes a summary of the master plan focus areas, Spanish and English informational videos, community meeting information, a navigation tool to find nearby parks, and contact information including a project hotline number. In addition to the standalone website, a dedicated Parks Master Plan logo has been developed to easily identify and brand the project. Additionally, preliminary community outreach efforts began in October at community G.A.I.N. (Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods) events throughout the City. These initial outreach efforts were intended to begin the process of generating awareness within the community about the Master Plan process.
Information gathered through the community and stakeholder engagement and assessment process will then be used to formulate strategic and realistic goals with clearly defined objectives to help ensure the department is meeting the needs of the community and providing meaningful recreation amenities and services equitably throughout the City. The Parks Master Plan will also take into consideration projects committed to the community in our capital improvement program when prioritizing funding.
The Parks Master process will take approximately 18 months from start to completion, eight of which will include engagement with the community. An updated scope and schedule are as followings:
Scope and Updated Schedule
The project is comprised of two phases with associated tasks:
Phase I - Community Engagement and Needs Assessment
• Parks Master Plan website launch October 2023
• Public Engagement phase kick-off October 2023
• On-going public engagement
• Parks and facility inventory and assessment
• Parks and recreation trends evaluation
Phase II - Formulation of Comprehensive Master Plan
• Develop Strategic Action Plan
• Solicit additional community feedback
• First Draft of Phoenix Master Plan anticipated in winter 2024/2025
• Final Parks Master Plan in 2025
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Inger Erickson and the Parks and Recreation Department.