Pitt County adopts 2025–2035 Cultural Arts and Recreation comprehensive master plan

The Pitt County Board of Commissioners approved the county’s Cultural Arts and Recreation Department’s 2025–2035 comprehensive master plan following a two-year planning process led by department staff, the planning department and consultant McGill & Associates.

Jennifer (Cultural Arts and Recreation staff) and Nate from McGill and Associates presented the plan’s findings and priorities, emphasizing the volume of community engagement: a statistically valid survey, an open survey with nearly 1,000 respondents, focus groups across the county, and extensive staff collaboration. The plan sets five high-level goals for the next decade, including establishing and growing the department, expanding facilities and programs beyond current athletics and senior offerings, improving marketing and branding, and developing funding strategies.

Presenters emphasized that recent county investments — creation of a new department, hiring a director, new parks and recreation centers and budget increases — have accelerated progress and positioned Pitt County to implement the plan’s short- and medium-term actions. Staff named key contributors, including Eric Goobie, Jonas Hill, Alice King, PJ Andrews, Allison Swartz and James Rhodes.

Commissioners asked when a final version would be available to the public; presenters said typographical edits were being completed and an absolute final version would be available within days. The board voted to adopt the master plan as presented and authorized staff to implement the action plan and pursue the plan’s short-, medium- and long-term steps.