Reno Seeks Public Input On Parks, Recreation, And Open Space Service Plan

Press release from the City of Reno:

April 26, 2021

The City of Reno is in the process of updating its Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Service Plan. As a first phase of general public input and in lieu of in-person gatherings, a community survey will be available to the public through May. The survey is available at Reno.gov/ParksandRec and will be offered in both English and Spanish:

• >>> https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WFVC5XJ (English)
• >>> https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/XJK876V (Spanish)

The survey results will help inform the updated PROS Service Plan, which will identify current and planned park and recreation facilities, along with a funding strategy for construction and operation of the facilities.

This effort will help implement recreation strategies of the City of Reno's Relmagine Reno Master Plan, including supporting active lifestyles among residents of all ages, and ensuring effective, efficient, and equitable delivery of City services and infrastructure.

When fully complete, the new PROS Service Plan will contain the following:

• Support for policy levels of service, consistent with the Relmagine Reno Master Plan.
• Description and maps of the facilities, improvements or projects to be constructed, the standards of such construction, and the services to be provided.
• Cost estimates for land acquisition, construction, operations and maintenance.
• Financial plan showing how the proposed services are to be provided and funded; this will include capital and operations costs.

Background

The City of Reno last adopted a Recreation Facilities Plan in 2008. Following the Great Recession, very little from this plan was completed due to lack of funding. Most identified facility needs still exist, and funding is an ongoing challenge. The Parks & Recreation Department FY21 Budget is approximately half of what it was in 2008.

The public survey will work to either support or dispute the earlier surveys done in 2007. Should funding be available, a scientific survey will be recommended as well. Through this process, the existing 2008 Recreation Facilities Plan data will be updated with current data, modifications to planned improvements, and provisions for operations and maintenance.

A significant component of the effort includes the identification of partnership opportunities. Therefore, as a component of the update staff has reached out to numerous community partners to identify where potential partnership opportunities exist.

In addition to the stakeholder groups as a method of public input, staff anticipates several more opportunities for the public to provide input. Public input opportunities will be available during plan development and updated at Reno.gov/ParksandRec.

Staff will also be presenting updates to Reno City Council on the Service Plan, so additional input and direction can be given. Staff anticipates an update presentation to Council in June 2021, followed by Council review of an initial draft plan in November 2021. Final approval of the Service Plan by the City Council is anticipated by April 2022.

This press release was produced by the City of Reno. The views expressed are the author's own.