Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2023 Update

SUMMARY

In 2018, the City of Douglasville adopted a Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan to provide a framework for understanding the parks and recreation needs of Douglasville residents, trends in parks and recreation facilities, programming and budget revenues and expenditures

The Parks and Recreation Master Plan was developed using a comprehensive approach that included an assessment of the demographic, public engagement, an inventory and assessment of existing facilitates and programs, review of the department’s budget, benchmark comparisons to national trends and comparisons to select communities of a similar size to Douglasville and staffing and operations practices Recommendations in each focus area were developed to achieve the stated goals and desires of the community

When the plan was originally created the goal of this master plan was to assist the City of Douglasville Parks and Recreation Department in guiding its plans for future improvements to parks, recreation, greenspace and trails within the City of Douglasville over the next ten years However, unexpected funds became available that allowed the department to make major strides in accomplishing the recommendations made in the Strategic Action Plan. These funding sources include a 25-million-dollar General Obligation Bond, 2.5 million in federal funding through the America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and increased revenue from the 2016 SPLOST due to internet sales tax

The Strategic Action Plan is reviewed annually for the Parks and Recreation Department to identify achievements and consider changes that may occur in the community that need to be addressed. The Strategic Action Plan is divided into three areas:

Parks and Facilities Staffing and Operations Programming

This document will provide a detailed update of each recommendation made in the Strategic Action Plan

STRATEGIC AREA: PARKS AND FACILITIES

Goal 1: Renovate, upgrade and take care of what we have

High Priority: 0 to 24 months

Design Jessie Davis Park renovation plans Complete

Design Willing Workers Park renovation plans

Design Mill Village Park renovation plans

Address Playground accessibility: pathways and surfaces

Provide Accessible routes to facilities in parks

Replace picnic tables, benches and park furnishings in poor condition

Address drainage and erosion issues

Improve landscaping and general turf areas

Repair/replace basketball courts in poor condition

Repair dugouts

Make improvements at West Pines to include course improvements, ADA access and clubhouse

renovations

Begin to implement the Willing Workers concept plan

Make site improvements at Worthan Park

Begin to implement the Mill Village Park concept plan

Medium Priority: 24 to 60 months

Implement improvement projects based on life cycle replacement schedules

Renovate/build a maintenance facility for West Pines Golf Course

Complete Willing Workers concept plan implementation

Complete Mill Village concept plan implementation

Low Priority: Beyond 60 months

Continue improvements at West Pines Golf Course

Make improvements to Hunter Community Center

Ongoing

Implement design standards for entry signs, park furnishings, etc

Continue to maintain park facilities

Assess Park needs in the community

Goal 2: Serve current and future residents with equitable access to parks and new modern recreation amenities

High Priority: 0 to 24 months

Begin implementation of the Town Green and Amphitheater

Build a dog park at Worthan Park

Medium Priority: 24 to 60 months

Implement Jessie Davis Park concept plan

Acquire 2 park sites on the east side of the city for future development

Prioritize and develop greenway trails

Low Priority: Beyond 60 months

Conduct a comprehensive update to the Parks and Recreation master plan in 10 years

Develop and implement master plans for new park properties

Develop an indoor aquatic center and gymnasium

Convert Fowler Field Park to a passive park

Construct new multi-purpose field complex

Construct new aquatics facility

Develop master plan for Bright Star property and implement plan Moved to

Continue implementation of greenway trails

Convert field at Jessie Davis to synthetic turf field

Ongoing

Annually revisit Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan Strategic Action Plan

Update the Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan as necessary

STRATEGIC AREA: STAFFING AND OPERATIONS

Goal 1: Create an efficient organization structure for the long-term and hire and develop qualified staff

High Priority: 0 to 24 months

Combine the Jessie Davis Park Division with the Administration budget division

Restructure, reclassify, and re-title staff in Administrative and Recreation/ Park operations areas

Hire Recreation Program Manager Position

Hire Facility Laborer positions

2 Parks maintenance staff to obtain and maintain CPSI certification

Provide orientation, training, and advancement opportunities for staff

Medium Priority: 24 to 60 months

Hire Athletic Program Coordinator Position

Hire Recreation Program Coordinator Positions

Athletics and Recreation division staff to obtain and maintain CPRP certification

Low Priority: Beyond 60 months

Develop and implement staffing plan for indoor aquatics center

Restructure with separate Administrative Services and Recreation Program Divisions

Ongoing

Expand parks maintenance staff as parkland expands to meet acceptable LOS

Continue to provide orientation, training and advancement opportunities for staff

Develop an organization culture of collaboration, pride, excellence and innovation

Goal 2: Implement best practices for managing and operating a high performing department

High Priority: 0 to 24 months

Re-establish a Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

Fully implement and optimize the use and capabilities of Rec1

Implement satisfaction surveys for program participants and facility users

Develop, track, and report quantitative and qualitative performance measures

Develop and obtain approval for a Comprehensive Revenue Policy

Revise the City Code to eliminate the “No Dogs in Park” rule

Revise the policy that prohibits bicycles in the parks

Medium Priority: 24 to 60 months

Create and implement community engagement, marketing and communications plans

Develop customer service standards and train staff

Develop business plans for the Hawthorne and Owings centers

Form a Golf Advisory Committee

Work toward CAPRA Accreditation

Low Priority: Beyond 60 months

Create a “Friends of Parks” group

Research, draft and seek approval for a recreation impact fee ordinance

Ongoing

Continue community outreach and engagement Complete/Ongoing

Goal 3: Provide tools, plans and standards to support and sustain safe, clean, and attractive parks and facilities

High Priority: 0 to 24 months

Complete an ADA Audit and Implementation Plan

Develop a parks maintenance plan with parks maintenance standards

Develop and track performance measures

Create and implement a preventive maintenance plan

Medium Priority: 24 to 60 months

Purchase and implement a computerized Maintenance Management/Work Order system

Create a life cycle replacement plan

Develop a design standards manual

STRATEGIC AREA: PROGRAMMING

Goal 1: Establish a foundation for planning, delivering and evaluating recreation programs

High Priority: 0 to 24 months

Identify core program area categories such as Health and Wellness, Sports, Arts, other Complete

Identify population categories such as Preschool, Youth, Teens, Adults, Seniors, Adaptive Complete

Create a matrix for monitoring program category offerings and populations served

Collect, track, and report program participation and satisfaction levels

Recruit, and contract or hire as part time staff, qualified program instructors

Require and/or provide background investigations for staff, contractors, partner organizations, and volunteers who work with vulnerable populations Complete

Medium Priority: 24 to 60 months

Develop a Recreation Program Plan Complete

Establish program fees based on costs and revenue recovery rates as determined in the revenue policy Complete/Ongoing

Change program offerings from rental arrangements to programs offered through contract and require registration through the city’s Rec1 system Complete

Low Priority: Beyond 60 months

Implement a citizen preference survey every 5 years Complete

Goal 2: Offer innovative and diverse programs that optimize the use of the recreation centers and facilities

High Priority: 0 to 24 months

Establish goals and objectives for each program area Complete

Create a program matrix to track program service levels for population segments and program diversity mix among program categories Complete

Develop a 3-year Recreation Program Plan based on CAPRA standards Complete

Develop and implement an evaluation survey for program participants Track, analyze and report results; include outcome goal assessments

Conduct a facility usage study Optimize the programming opportunities at the community centers, especially during non-peak times Prioritize center use for programming and consider expanded hours

Increase program opportunities by 25% over the next 3 years

Utilize the master plan survey results and programming trends to pilot innovative programs and nontraditional delivery methods Focus on populations and program areas with existing lower service levels

Initiate discussions with the school system to create a joint use agreement and prioritize gaining access to gymnasiums

Collaborate with current partners to assess expanded program opportunities with an initial focus on the Arts Council, Boys and Girls Club, and ALTA

Develop a relationship with the Douglas County Parks and Recreation Department staff to pursue collaborative programming for girl sports, therapeutic recreation, and senior programs

Create a policy for sports association partnership agreements

Eliminate the City Code regulation that prohibits dogs in parks. Plan and conduct a “welcoming” community dog event

Allow for bikes in the parks and install bike racks in appropriate locations Install signage encouraging bikes to yield to pedestrians on paved paths

Medium Priority: 24 to 60 months

Establish a new target goal for program growth

Create a formalized volunteer program and host an annual volunteer appreciation event

Update and implement the Recreation Program Plan

Create a Health and Wellness initiative that is promoted throughout the city Seek support from the healthcare community

Amend the City Code to allow alcoholic beverages in parks and create a policy to regulate the use of alcoholic beverages in parks

Administer a community needs assessment for program planning

Continue to assess programs for continuous improvement

Continue to seek new partnerships and volunteers to support and expand programming

Develop program plans and resource needs for new facilities before they come online

Complete/Ongoing

Complete

Complete

Complete

Complete

Complete

Complete

Complete

Complete

In Progress

Complete

Complete/Ongoing

Complete/Ongoing

In Progress

Complete

Complete/Ongoing

Complete/Ongoing

STRATEGIC AREA: PROGRAMMING (CONTINUED...)

Low Priority: Beyond 60 months

Administer a community needs assessment for program planning

Implement programming for the new aquatic facility

Ongoing

Provide regular updates to the Recreation Program Plan

Stay abreast of local, regional, and national recreation program trends

Continue to assess programs for continuous improvement - expand, modify or eliminate programs

Continue to seek new partnerships and volunteers to support and expand programming

Add new programs based on expressed citizen desires and recreation program trends

Complete

Complete/Ongoing

Complete/Ongoing

Complete/Ongoing

Complete/Ongoing

Complete/Ongoing