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Commission reviews draft parks and recreation strategic plan; adoption expected after public input
Summary
Staff presented a draft update to the Parks and Recreation strategic plan, reviewed layout and goals, and asked commissioners to submit edits before the next draft; staff said the commission will consider final approval in November.
The commission reviewed a draft update to the Apache Junction Parks and Recreation strategic plan and provided feedback on cover art, organization charts, goals and program priorities. Staff said written notes and suggested edits from commissioners will be incorporated and the commission should expect a final draft at the next meeting with an adoption vote scheduled for November.
Larry (staff member) presented the draft cover options and the plan’s structure, noting mission, organizational chart updates and goal sections for parks, facilities, programming and marketing. He told commissioners the document remains a draft and staff are collecting edits: “Today really is just to show you like, give you a copy to look at… If there is something in your mind that you wanted to make sure… we’ll figure out where that goes,” he said.
Commissioners suggested adjustments to cover typography, placement of the director on the organizational chart and additions to the parks and programs sections. Discussion covered whether bike routes and off‑road biking programs should be included (staff said such items could appear in the multiuse trail or programming sections), the placement and safety context of features at Flatiron Park and Superstition Shadows Park (splash pad fencing and a play hill were discussed), and the need to capture awards, environmental certifications and programming accomplishments in a more prominent way.
Staff noted specific follow‑ups and authorities to track: the intergovernmental agreement with AJUSD remains a standing item in the plan, and the department must schedule the statutory fee study and market analysis required every five years to remain in compliance. Staff also described a MAG (Maricopa Association of Governments) grant pathway for design funding for a regional bike trail (the US‑route bike connection), but said funding opportunities are not yet active.
Larry told commissioners the next step is to collect edits, finalize staff input and return with a revised draft; he said the commission will be asked to approve the plan in November. No formal vote was taken at this meeting.
