The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department is developing a comprehensive Master Plan

The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department is developing a comprehensive Master Plan to guide the city’s recreational facilities and services for the next decade and beyond. This initiative aims to evaluate existing parks, programs, and facilities, emphasizing water conservation and safety through Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles.

Parks Master Plan Phoenix

Key Focus Areas:

1. Evaluation and Assessment:
   • Conducting a thorough inventory of current parks, recreational programs, and facilities.
   • Emphasizing water conservation strategies and implementing CPTED to enhance safety.
2. Community Demographics and Recreation Trends:
   • Analyzing local demographics and emerging recreation trends to ensure equitable and high-quality program delivery across Phoenix.
3. Funding Prioritization:
   • Identifying and establishing criteria for prioritizing funding to address the city’s most pressing recreational needs.

Water Conservation Strategies:

The Master Plan will assess 25 parks to develop effective water conservation methods, including:

• Turf Evaluation: Assessing turf areas based on functionality and maintenance requirements to identify opportunities for water savings.
• Irrigation Systems: Evaluating existing systems, such as the Calsense system, for optimal settings, controller efficiency, and remote management capabilities.
• Maintenance Guidelines: Creating standard operation and maintenance guidelines to assist park staff in managing irrigation systems efficiently.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED):

To enhance park safety and user experience, the plan will incorporate CPTED principles by evaluating:

• Evidence of unauthorized activities.
• Traffic calming measures.
• Natural surveillance opportunities.
• Mitigation of external noise and unsightly views.
• Access to amenities like drinking fountains and shaded areas.
• Lighting in key areas.
• Diverse spaces catering to both passive and active recreation.
• Unique characteristics of each park.

Recreation Programs:

The assessment will ensure that recreational offerings align with community needs, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. A dynamic program plan will be developed to enhance customer satisfaction and focus on core areas valued by Phoenix residents.

Community Engagement:

Active community participation is vital for the Master Plan’s success. Engagement strategies include:

• A multilingual Master Plan website.
• Focus groups with community leaders, stakeholders, and youth.
• Workshops involving residents, the Parks and Recreation Board, department staff, and Village Planning Committees.
• Interactive surveys at special and youth-focused events.
• Neighborhood canvassing.
• A citywide survey conducted via phone or mail.

City Partnerships:

Collaboration with key city stakeholders and leadership will be integral, including:

• Mayor and City Council Offices.
• Phoenix Parks and Recreation Board.
• City Committees such as the Phoenix Parks and Preserves Initiative, Village Planning, and Aquatics Advisory.
• Other departments like Water, Sustainability, Planning and Development, Heat Response and Mitigation, Streets Transportation, Arts and Culture, Environmental Programs, and Community and Economic Development.

The department encourages all residents to participate in shaping the future of Phoenix’s parks and recreational services. For more information and to get involved, please visit the Parks Master Plan website.