Do you care about Parks & Rec? Review its Master Plan this summer.

It finally feels like spring outside – time to hit the trails, dust off the bikes, get outside. Access to nature and recreation is an integral component of the Juneau lifestyle. Parks and trails have connected people to nature and created spaces for the community to gather, while indoor and outdoor recreational facilities and programs have helped residents thrive in Juneau’s climate. To ensure the City and Borough of Juneau Parks & Recreation Department continues to help residents maintain the quality of life that attracts and keeps people in Juneau, CBJ has been working on a Parks & Recreation Master Plan for almost the past two years. The purpose of the planning is to figure out how to best direct limited public resources to Parks & Recreation facilities, programs and services.

Today, Parks & Recreations operates more facilities than ever before, including a youth center, two pools, an ice arena, gym space, playing fields, parks and trails. Parks & Recreation has its own programming, including youth and adult sports, camps, after-school programs, classes, and social programs, while also providing space and support to other recreation and activity providers. The Master Plan considers the future of CBJ Parks & Recreation over the coming two decades, with recommendations to be implemented over the next 10 years. It’s intended to provide guidance and policy framework that is based on community feedback and to help current and future leaders make decisions that support the department’s long-term goals and priorities. Designed to be a living document, the plan will be updated every five years to reflect changes in demographics, funding and other conditions.

The Juneau public has been vital to the master plan process. In 2016-17, Parks & Recreation staff met with more than 30 stakeholder groups, surveyed the community, and held public meetings to gain public input on how Juneau values its Parks & Recreation services and about the community’s priorities over the coming decade. The two-year process has sought to analyze and reinforce Parks & Recreation’s role as an essential partner in a healthy community. The plan will guide future decisions to provide the highest possible quality Parks & Recreation facilities, programs and services for all regardless of age, income or ability.

For anyone who’s been following along with the process, or is wondering what’s going on with the plan, stay tuned. The Parks & Recreation Master Plan is scheduled for public review early this summer. After the public review process and any needed changes, the plan will go to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee, the Planning Commission and then to the Juneau Assembly.

The Parks & Recreation Master Plan is based around input and ideas from the public and Parks & Recreation’s many partners. It’s not too late to send Parks & Recreation your suggestions. Visit www.placespeak.com/cbjparkrec or email [email protected] for more information.