2015 Dallas Parks master plan

PROCESS

pLANNING pROCESS >>

pARK sYSTEM INVENTORY

cOMMUNITY iNPUT
Creating and maintaining park and recreation facilities is a challenge for local governments. Limited resources and competition for resources - both in terms of staffing and budget - restricts many communities’ ability to develop and maintain parks systems. 

Identifying system priorities and matching them with available resources requires thoughtful planning. Communities typically develop and adopt Parks Master Plans to guide the development of parks systems.

The 2015 Parks Master Plan process was designed to be transparent and focus on community engagement to better understand the wants and needs of Dallas’s residents for their park system. The process included technical, demographic and spatial analysis combined with input from City staff, the City’s Parks Board, and community members. City Staff and the Parks Board, comprised of local residents, provided the necessary background and context information about the community, provided leadership and guidance on community engagement strategies, and feedback throughout the entire planning process to ensure the Plan is best suited for the City of Dallas’s needs.

THE PLANNING PROCESS 
Where are we now?
  • Create an inventory of existing parks, amenities, and recreation facilties. 
  • Conduct a service analysis. 
  • Gather information about the needs and desires of the community and its residents. 
Where are we going?
  • Engage with local residents to learn what they love about Dallas's park system, what they would like to see improved, and which amenities should be included in future park development. 
  • Create a guiding vision and goals. 
How do we get there?
  • Develop targeted action items and a Capital Improvement Plan for the next 20 years. 
  • Develop land acquisition, funding, and operation strategies. 
  • Establish design guidelines for future improvements and new park developments.
  • Develop the Plan document. 
  • Gain City Council adoption.  
Tell me more about the planning team >>