County consultant launches parks, recreation and community centers master plan
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Summary
Consultant Site Southwest presented the scope and community engagement plan for Doña Ana County’s parks and recreation master plan, including regional vs. local amenity analysis, equity and access work, and a schedule of public engagement events over the next month.
Doña Ana County commissioners heard an update Feb. 10 on a countywide parks, recreation and community centers master plan being prepared by Site Southwest.
Senior planner Allison Long described the project scope: inventory existing conditions, perform a needs assessment, identify regional and local amenities, and create an implementation plan with prioritized investments. The plan will explicitly examine equity and access and seek input from seniors, community groups, and residents who are not current users of county facilities.
Long said consultants completed a first site visit in October, have drafted an existing-conditions report, and were beginning a three-day round of community engagement that includes focus groups, senior lunches and evening events. She said a community input dashboard will publish results so residents can review staff synthesis and correct or supplement the record.
Commissioners asked about fee structures and accessibility. Long said the team will use national metrics, including the National Recreation and Park Association survey, to benchmark fees, staffing and facility ratios and will incorporate those metrics into recommendations. The consultant also committed to providing interpretation services at engagement events and to return to sites missed during the initial visit.
Next steps: Site Southwest will produce draft recommendations and prioritization of county investments, then present a working session to the board followed by a formal public comment period ahead of adoption.