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Merced staff seeks study session on new Parks & Recreation master plan funded by local philanthropic grant
Summary
Parks and Community Services Director Christopher Jensen briefed the commission on a new master plan funded with a $150,000 grant from the Central Valley Opportunity Fund, summarizing public engagement, priorities and a request to schedule a joint study session.
Christopher Jensen, Parks and Community Services Director, presented a high-level overview of a new Parks & Recreation master plan funded by a $150,000 award from the Central Valley Opportunity Fund and prepared with consultants (listed as 110% and KTUA). Jensen said the plan was launched after staff identified changing community priorities and aging park infrastructure, and that the process included more than 500 engagements and 1,392 community comments.
Jensen outlined four strategic pillars that emerged from engagement: infrastructure and maintenance; connected community; safety and inclusion; and resources and stewardship. He described equity concerns (most youth centers are south of Bear Creek while bike infrastructure is north) and said the plan will prioritize projects that balance community needs and funding realities. "We fell in love with this concept of ‘play on purpose,’" Jensen said, describing the plan’s guiding slogan.
Staff asked the commission to schedule a joint study session to review 35 action plans in detail; commissioners discussed dates and times and later passed a motion to set a special meeting/study session for 2026-08-20 at 5:30 p.m. for detailed review and IT/logistics preparation. Jensen said the study session would include deeper detail on high-priority capital needs and funding options.
