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Prosper Parks Board approves 2025 master plan, hires consultant for Doe Branch study
Summary
The Prosper Parks and Recreation Board voted unanimously Jan. 23 to approve forwarding the 2025 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan to town council and to hire consultant Kimberly Horn to prepare a master plan for the town—s Doe Branch property.
The Prosper Parks and Recreation Board of Directors on Jan. 23 voted unanimously to approve the 2025 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan and to hire consultant Kimberly Horn to develop a master plan for the town—s Doe Branch property.
Board members approved three formal items during the meeting: adoption of the Nov. 14, 2024 meeting minutes, authorization to hire Kimberly Horn for the Doe Branch Community Park master plan, and forwarding the draft 2025 master plan to Prosper Town Council. All votes were approved with no recorded nays.
The master-plan decision followed a year-long planning process led by staff and consultants that included inventory and analysis, a benchmark study, a recreation program analysis, and a needs assessment. Dan (parks staff) said the study included two focus groups and a household survey sent to about 7,000 households; the team received 1,540 responses, roughly 10% of Prosper—s estimated 15,000 households. "This is the most important component because this is where we reach out to our residents and find out basically ask them, what do you want?" Dan said.
Board members said the master plan provides a reference for future budgeting, bond discussions and park development. A prioritized list in the draft ranks projects as higher, moderate and lower priorities; staff explained that lower-ranked items might still be built sooner if they are less costly. The draft also includes a recreation-program analysis and a detailed inventory of the town—s park assets.
Doe Branch is a roughly 162-acre property on Prosper—s far west side; staff said about 15 acres are high and dry and could be suitable for some facilities, while the remainder lies in floodplain. "We own a 162 Acres out on the far west side. We're calling it the Doe Branch Community Park," Kurt (parks staff) said. Staff told the board the town does not currently plan to purchase additional adjacent parcels that have been discussed with private owners, though the consultant should be aware of potential future acquisitions so the master plan can show possible trail connections.
Board members asked staff to make council aware that population growth could lower Prosper—s acres-per-capita service level in the future and that parkland acquisition may require partnerships with developers or other means of funding. "We're sitting just shy of 43,000 population today. ... Our job is to continue to look for opportunities through ... park development fees and opportunities through development to acquire land," Kurt said.
Votes at a glance: - Approve minutes of Nov. 14, 2024 Parks and Recreation Board meeting. Motion: Kari Castro; Second: Bob Benson. Tally: Yes 5, No 0. Outcome: approved. - Approve hiring consultant Kimberly Horn for the Doe Branch Community Park master plan. Motion: not specified on record; Second: not specified on record. Tally: Yes 5, No 0. Outcome: approved. - Approve the 2025 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan (draft) to forward to Town Council. Motion: Bob Benson; Second: Kyle LaFernay. Tally: Yes 5, No 0. Outcome: approved.
The board will present the draft master plan to Prosper Town Council at its next regular meeting; staff asked board members to attend to show support. Staff cautioned that while the plan includes rec-center-related guidance, it is an overall department master plan and not a detailed recreation-center feasibility study.
