Provide Your Input in Seattle Parks’ Strategic Direction for the Future
In embarking on a new planning process to develop strategic direction for the future, Seattle Parks and Recreation is asking three key questions:
- Are our resources deployed in the most effective manner?
- What is the public view of our park system?
- What are the basic services Parks provides?
Working with Parks’ key partners the Associated Recreation Council and Seattle Parks Foundation, and led by the Board of Park Commissioners, the first phase of the plan will be the development of shared Vision, Mission and Values statements. The second phase will be a programmatic review, telling the story of Parks and Recreation: what we do, who we serve, how we are funded. In this phase, Parks will examine emerging recreation trends and the latest census data. We will conduct a statistically valid survey citywide to gather information on how our park system is used, frequency of use and park users’ concerns. Phase three will be a look to the future that provides a framework for a sustainable parks and recreation system.
Public Involvement
Parks invites the public to take an online survey, available from August 31 through September 23, here.
Input from Parks staff and the public on the Legacy Plan will occur at many junctures over the next year and a half. The Park Board will provide the public review forum for Phase 1, Vision, Mission and Values. Phase 2 will include a public survey in fall 2012, and staff and community review of the draft plan in spring 2013; and the public and staff will review Phase 3 in fall 2013. Progress reports for the Board of Park Commissioners will occur regularly throughout Plan development.
Background
In 2009, Parks and Recreation concluded a strategic planning process with the publication of the Strategic Action Plan, a five-year ˜to do’ list which provided direction for stewardship of the park system. Many Strategic Action Plan tasks have been accomplished, while others have been delayed due to the economic recession. The Parks Legacy Plan will be an update of the 2009 Plan, with a focus on data collection and analysis.
Schedule:
Phase 1: The shared Vision, Mission and Values statements are scheduled for consideration by the Board of Park Commissioners in January 2013;
Phase 2: Programmatic review due March 31, 2013;
Phase 3: Strategic plan for the future to be completed by January 2014.