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Parks and Recreation begins master plan update; county to use consultants, survey and benchmarking
Summary
Goochland County Parks and Recreation Director Tom Cocke briefed the Planning Commission on a contracted parks and recreation master plan update using Prose Consulting, Kim Lane Horn, and ETC Institute; the process includes a statistically valid survey, facility evaluations, benchmarking and a draft CIP with a target adoption in November 2025.
Tom Cocke, Director of Parks and Recreation for Goochland County, presented an update on the department’s 5‑ to 10‑year parks and recreation master plan update at the commission’s April 17 meeting, describing the consultant team, outreach plan and next steps.
Cocke said the county contracted Prose Consulting (subcontracting Kim Lane Horn) and the ETC Institute to conduct a statistically valid community survey and assist with planning. “When we started our project, the first thing we did was communicate with people,” Cocke told the commission, describing internal and external stakeholder interviews, two community connect events, and an initial facility evaluation that is roughly 80% complete.
Key elements of the project as described by Cocke include: - A statistically valid survey being distributed via mailed packets; Cocke said the county is aiming for a sample size that meets statistical-validity thresholds and that ETC Institute is administering the survey. He stated a target response threshold of about 374 completed responses to establish validity and said the survey will later be opened to the broader public once the statistically valid responses are captured. - Facility evaluations of parks, sports complexes and indoor/outdoor spaces (playgrounds, trails, benches, etc.), reported about 80% complete. - A benchmarking analysis comparing Goochland to a set of peer localities (Cocke said the initial list included about 15 candidates and that Virginia counties such as Louisa and others are being considered; Powhatan was discussed but deprioritized because staff said the county already knows much about Powhatan). The final benchmarking list is expected in about three weeks. - Development of a capital improvement project (CIP) plan beginning this summer; Cocke said the goal is a realistic, implementable and financially sustainable plan and that the department intends to reset lagging CIPs.
Cocke described outreach and engagement activities already completed (internal and external stakeholder interviews, two community events) and noted a QR code and online landing page with the survey and project materials. He said the plan aims for adoption in November 2025 and a 5–10 year planning horizon.
Commissioners asked about the farmers market schedule (now one market on private land), accessibility for children with disabilities and special needs (playground accessibility and fenced areas), and whether the county had discussed possible use of a state-owned abandoned prison site in Crozier; Cocke said he would follow up with county leadership about the latter and said the department is considering changes to market hours after the first season under county management. On accessibility he said new or replaced facilities should prioritize accessible design and that the department works with regional adaptive-recreation partners.
No formal actions were taken; the presentation was informational and staff anticipated follow‑up workshops, a level-of-service review, benchmarking completion, and the CIP development process over the summer months.
Ending Cocke encouraged commissioners and residents to complete the mailed statistically valid survey and use the online landing page to submit additional feedback; staff plan to return with interim results and a draft CIP later in 2025.
