MenuParks and Recreation System Plan
The new System Plan project is a 16-month comprehensive process that will shape the direction, development and delivery of the city's parks and recreation services over the next 20 years. Please see below for additional information and links to get involved.
Visioning Sessions, May 13 - May 17
Dream Big!
From May 13th - May 17th, 2013, the Parks and Recreation Department will host a five-day Visioning Session comprised of 15 sessions covering a range of Parks and Recreation themes, from Arts and Greenways to Historic Resources and Active Adults. It will be a time to DREAM BIG about the future of Raleigh's Parks and Recreation Department. City staff will be on-hand and everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate. The full schedule of events and session descriptions are available here
.
The week will begin with a social Kick-Off Event on Monday, May 13th from 6:00-8:00 pm with opening remarks from Mayor Nancy McFarlane and Parks and Recreation Director Diane Sauer. The Kick-Off will also include opportunities for input on all Vision Themes. The week will close with an Open House on Friday, May 17th from 3:30-6:30 pm, during which the results of the workshop will be presented.
Location and Parking
The Kick-Off Event, Open House and all Visioning Sessions will be held at the Raleigh Convention Center, 500 South Salisbury Street.
Parking for the event will be free at the Performing Arts Parking Deck at 128 W. South Street.
Current Project Status
Needs and Priorities Report Review
Part Two, the Needs and Priorities Assessment began in January with a three month long public outreach initiative that resulted in overwhelming public participation. Thank you for your support! The Needs and Priorities Report, a comprehensive summary of that feedback, is available for your review and comments at YourParksYourFuture.com.
Visioning Sessions-Long Range Vision
The Long Range Vision will be developed in part through the five-day Visioning Sessions from May 13th - May 17th. The workshop will involve the Planning Committee, city staff, focus groups, other stakeholders, and the general public. The Long Range Vision will include goals, policies, and objectives for the parks and recreation system for the next 20 years. This portion will also include development of Capital Area Greenway System Design Guidelines and Standards.The full schedule of events and session descriptions for the Visioning Sessions are available here.
The System Plan Process
PART 1 - Existing Systems Analysis: Part 1 will take a snapshot of the current conditions of the Parks and Recreation System as whole. Information reviewed will include, but not limited to, existing plans, studies, demographic, market, and geographic. This will provide a baseline to analyze the system as it currently exists. Part 1 was completed in January 2013.
PART 2 - Needs and Priorities Assessment: Part 2 began in January, and has several public outreach initiatives and participation opportunities; community meetings, focus groups, public visioning workshops, a statistically valid survey, and a public engagement website, YourParksYourFuture.Com. The information gathered from Part 2 will provide the framework for Part 3, the Long Range Vision.
PART 3 - Long Range Vision: The research of Part 1 and the public input of Part 2 will provide a foundation for planning the next twenty years for Parks and Recreation in the Long Range Vision. The Long Range Vision will be developed in part through a five-day Visioning Workshop. The workshop will involve the Planning Committee, city staff, focus groups, other stakeholders, and the general public. The Long Range Vision will include goals, policies, and objectives for the future parks system. This portion will also include development of Capital Area Greenway System Design Guidelines and Standards.
PART 4 - Implementation / Action Plan: The Implementation and Action plan will include text, maps, and drawings, as well as recommendations and strategies for service delivery, facility development, and projected capital improvement program costs needed as they were identified in the Long Range Vision.
PART 5 - Parks and Recreation System Plan: Part 5 will compile all the work completed into a draft Parks and Recreation System Plan Document. It will include:
- Executive Summary
- Existing System Analysis
- Needs and Priorities Assessment
- Long Range Vision
- Department Action and Strategic Plan
- Final System Plan
Part 5 will be heavily focused on public participation with review of the draft System Plan by community meetings, the RCAC, stakeholders, city staff, and Planning Committee and Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board. The draft plan will also be available for review online through Mindmixer. The draft System Plan will become the official guiding document for the next twenty years of Parks and Recreation once it is approved by City Council.
The Planning Committee and the Parks, Recreation, Greenway Advisory Board will be heavily involved throughout the System Plan process. They will receive presentations at the end of each part. The Planning Committee will also participate through various meetings throughout the creation of the System Plan. Also monthly updates will be made at the PRGAB meetings. The PRGAB meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month in the Module at Jaycee Park at 5:30.
The City Council will also be involved throughout the process by presentations at the end of Part 2, Part 4, and final approval at the end of Part 5. Council will also be engaged through the representation of one Council member serving on the Planning Committee.
