Park System Master Planning: A Strategic Approach to Community Growth
At Dix.Hite + Partners, we love a good park. And we love good planning even more. We believe that a well-thought-out park system is the lungs of a thriving community—giving people places to gather, recharge, and enjoy the outdoors. But great parks don’t happen by accident; that’s where park system master plans come in! In this post, we’ll break down why they matter, how we approach them, and what they mean for communities looking to grow sustainably (and have fun while doing it!).
What’s a Park System Master Plan Anyway?
Think of a park system master plan as a game plan for a community’s outdoor spaces. It’s more than just a document—it’s a strategy that helps cities and towns invest in their parks in a smart, future-focused way. Here’s what it does:
Takes Inventory: What parks and amenities already exist? How are people using them? What’s missing?
Looks to the Future: What does the community need (and want)? How can we make sure parks grow along with the city?
With these insights, communities can prioritize improvements, secure funding, and create park systems that serve both current and future generations.
Why Do Park System Master Plans Matter?
A park system master plan ensures parks get the attention—and funding—they deserve. Too often, parks and open spaces receive the “leftover” budget, after roads, utilities, and other city needs. This can lead to underfunded and understaffed parks. A master plan sets a clear vision, prioritizes investments, and helps secure resources to create vibrant, well-maintained parks for the community. Here’s how:
Informed Decision-Making: City leaders can make informed choices about where and what to invest in.
Better Use of Resources: With a prioritized list of improvements, communities can allocate their resources more effectively, ensuring the most critical needs are addressed first.
Competitive Edge: Well-planned park systems can give cities and towns a competitive advantage in attracting new residents and businesses.
Community Buy-In: The planning process itself provides opportunities for community input, fostering a sense of ownership and pride in local parks.
Sustainable Growth: By anticipating future needs, master plans help communities grow sustainably, avoiding the pitfalls of reactive planning.
The Dix.Hite Approach: Data Meets Community
Dix.Hite brings a data-driven, community-focused mindset to park system planning. Our “6D” method (Dream, Discover, Design, Document, Deliver, Discuss) guides our process, ensuring that each plan is rooted in research and real-world needs. Here’s what that looks like:
Step 1: Getting to Know The Community
Analyzing demographic data using tools like GIS and ESRI Tapestry Segmentation
Study Maps
Studying population trends and community interests
Public Engagement
Step 2: Evaluating What’s Already There
Conducting on-site evaluations of facilities
Assessing current programming and staffing
Comparing local offerings to national benchmarks using data from the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA)
Step 3: Creating a Plan That Works
Prioritizes improvements based on community needs and available resources
Provides strategies for addressing staffing and maintenance challenges
Brings in financial experts to support decision making and provides our client with a clear picture of the finances behind our recommendations by putting numbers to our plan.
Our approach works for both existing communities and brand-new developments. Whether we’re improving a city’s park system or helping design one from scratch- we keep flexibility, creativity, and financial responsibility at the core of our process.
What Makes Our Process Stand Out?
Data-Driven Decision Making.
Financial Foresight: We emphasize the importance of proper financial allocation from the outset, ensuring that parks and open spaces receive the funding they deserve.
Holistic View: Our plans consider not just the physical aspects of parks, but also programming, staffing, and long-term maintenance needs.
Creative Partnerships: We explore creative solutions, such as public-private partnerships and revenue-generating facilities – such as parks with youth sports fields – to address funding and maintenance challenges.
Future-Focused: Our plans don't just solve today's problems – they anticipate tomorrow's challenges and opportunities.
As communities continue to grow, strategic park system planning is more important than ever. At Dix.Hite, we're committed to helping cities, towns, and developers create park systems that serve community members now and for years to come. Because when it comes to great parks, we Design for Life.
Want to talk Parks? Let’s Chat!
