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Commission begins shaping scope for a new parks and recreation master plan; staff to draft RFP for later budgeting
Summary
Commissioners sketched priorities for a new parks and recreation master plan and asked staff to draft an RFP that emphasizes equity, operations and facility condition analysis, with a budget request expected in 2026.
The commission held an extended discussion about the scope and priorities for a new parks and recreation master plan and asked staff to draft an RFP that reflects local priorities rather than a generic template. Commissioners said the updated plan should include: a community profile and equity analysis, an operations and staffing assessment, facility condition and lifecycle analysis (including the recreation center), a fee structure review, and targeted stakeholder outreach to populations underrepresented in past outreach.
Commissioner Ashley Haetmanek urged an equity and walk‑shed analysis to examine how recent housing density affects residents' access to parks and services. "I want an understanding of the density as it relates to park spaces, and where those park spaces are," she said. Commissioners also recommended a deeper operations assessment (maintenance burden and staffing), a prioritized capital list, and careful scoping so consultants are not asked to deliver an overly broad set of products for a small fee. Several commissioners suggested the nature park be specifically considered either as a study site within the master plan or as a prerequisite separate plan, depending on the chosen consultant scope.
Staff and commissioners discussed timing and budget. Eric Brenlager said the department plans to budget for the master‑plan work in 2026 and that consultants typically require several months of data collection, outreach and analysis; a full master plan is commonly an 12–18 month timeline depending on scope. Brenlager committed to preparing a draft RFP that compiles the commission's input and recent templates, then returning it to the commission for review. Commissioners agreed to provide written priorities and to flag items they believe were missing from the 2015 plan.
Commissioners also suggested leveraging local data sources (creative district, chamber, school district maps) and making deliberate choices about additional deliverables such as concept designs or detailed site plans, which can consume consultant capacity and budget. Staff will circulate example RFPs and an outline for review before the next substantive milestone.
