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Hinsdale starts 10-year parks master plan; Upland Design seeks public input and a 400-person statistically valid survey
Summary
Upland Design presented a parks master plan process that combines an inventory, stakeholder engagement and recommendations; an open house is scheduled tomorrow and a statistically valid community survey of about 400 responses will run in March–April to set priorities and funding options.
Michelle, principal landscape architect at Upland Design, presented the village’s approach to a 10-year parks comprehensive and strategic master plan, outlining a five-phase process anchored in three core components: community input, an existing-conditions assessment and community priorities.
Michelle said the project team will run a statistically valid community survey in March and April, aiming for a minimum of 400 completed responses to ensure demographic balance and representative results. She described a mix of outreach tools — an open house, stakeholder sessions, pop-up events and targeted outreach at libraries and schools — intended to capture broad input and to shape final recommendations.
Why it matters: The master plan will guide capital budgeting, programming and long-term park priorities. Upland’s initial SWOT analysis flagged strengths (extensive canopy, a 50-meter outdoor pool, strong volunteer and partner participation), weaknesses (aging facilities, limited land and a small parks staff), opportunities (grant and partnership funding, improved trail connections) and threats (regional competition and constrained funding).
Key points
- Scope and deliverables: The plan includes a data inventory and analysis, community outreach, recommendation development and a strategic action plan that assigns responsibilities and timing for capital and programmatic items. - Community engagement: An open house scheduled for the next day runs 5–7 p.m.; Acuity Research will manage the survey to reach a statistically valid sample and balance demographics. Michelle said the team will also conduct stakeholder interviews and pop-up events to get targeted input. - Funding and priorities: Upland will explore grant and donor opportunities and fold the village’s approved capital budget into the plan to prioritize near- and long-term investments.
Next steps
Upland will continue stakeholder meetings, public pop-ups and the community survey in March–April; the results will inform draft recommendations and the strategic action plan. Staff encouraged residents to attend the open house and to provide feedback so the commission and village can prioritize projects in upcoming capital plans.
