STRATEGIC PLAN
APPROVED MARCH 14, 2024
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources (PRNR) takes pride in offering exceptional natural areas, unique sports venues and safe recreational areas suitable for individuals of all ages and abilities.
Our playgrounds, beaches, trails, natural areas, athletic facilities and recreation centers provide Sarasota County residents and visitors with a diverse array of opportunities to stay healthy and active. As our community experiences growth in population and tourism, a broad spectrum of recreational options, diverse facilities, enhanced operational efficiencies, and robust communication channels are essential.
PRNR’s Strategic Plan has been developed to guide the implementation of the objectives outlined in the Parks, Preserves and Recreation Strategic Master Plan (Master Plan). This 5-year strategic roadmap is linked with Sarasota County’s Comprehensive Plan and the 2024 Enterprise Strategic Plan, aligning with overarching community objectives. PRNR’s Strategic Plan identifies key challenges facing Sarasota County’s Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources department and charts a course to efficiently meet our community’s needs while safeguarding our resources for future generations.
NICOLE RISSLER Director, Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources
2023 AGENCY AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS ACCREDITATIONS
Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) Reaccreditation
American Camp Association (ACA) AWARDS
Florida Recreation and Park Association (FRPA)
Innovative Programming Award (Environmental Sustainability and Resiliency)
Fire Fest
Florida Recreation and Park Association (FRPA) Volunteer Service Award (Individual) Terry Redman
American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) National Recognition Award
The Legacy Trail Extension and North Port Connector
No. 1 Beach in the United States by TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice™ Awards (2020, 2017 and 2015); No. 1 Beach in America by Dr. Beach (2017 and 2012); No. 2 Beach in the United States by TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice™ Awards (2024, 2023 and 2022) | Siesta Beach
OUR MISSION
To provide clean, safe and inclusive parks with diverse opportunities for all.
OUR VISION
A dynamic parks system that is essential to quality of life and enriches our community through participation, connection and diverse recreational opportunities.
OUR VALUES
Stewardship, Preservation, Innovation, Respect, Inclusivity, Teamwork, Sustainability, Health and Wellness
PARK OPERATIONS
FY23 FAST FACTS
FY23 ADOPTED OPERATING BUDGET
$36,277,513
FY23 FULL-TIME EQUIVALENTS (FTE)
225
FY23 DIRECT VOLUNTEER HOURS
(Volunteer services provided directly through the department’s volunteer program guidelines; authorized by staff.)
165,534
PRNR DIVISIONS
Beaches and Water Access; Business Operations; Natural Areas and Trails; Parks Internal Operations; Park Planning and Development; Recreation and Neighborhood Parks; and Sports Tourism, Facilities and Programs
In the following pages, the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department’s Strategic Plan is divided into sections. Each section outlines the goals, objectives and ways to measure progress (performance measures) as well as how they align with Sarasota County’s Comprehensive Plan, the Sarasota County 2024 Enterprise Strategic Plan and the Sarasota County Parks, Preserves and Recreation Strategic Master Plan.
SARASOTA COUNTY’S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Element 2: Quality of Life
Chapter 2: Parks, Preserves and Recreation
SARASOTA COUNTY 2024 ENTERPRISE STRATEGIC PLAN
PRNR 2024-2029 STRATEGIC PLAN
Exceptional County Services Aligned with Resources
SARASOTA COUNTY MISSION AND VISION
ENTERPRISE STRATEGIC PLAN
High Performing County Team World-Class Quality of Life Amenities
Safe Place to Live, Work and Play
Robust, Growing Business Opportunities
Protect, manage and promote natural and cultural resources within the parks system
Enterprise-level Actions and Major Projects
PRNR STRATEGIC PLAN
Provide recreational, cultural and tourism opportunities and venues that align with the varying needs, abilities and desires of our community and visitors
Create a dynamic organization committed to engaging the community through well-trained and engaged staff and volunteers
Develop, maintain and enhance clean, safe, accessible parks
Department-level Actions and Major Projects
PRNR
MISSION, VISION AND VALUES
Foster a diverse and balanced approach to meet level of service goals while preserving fiscal sustainability
Preservation | Sustainability | Innovation | Stewardship | Respect | Teamwork | Inclusivity | Health and Wellness
STEWARDSHIP AND PRESERVATION
GOAL
Protect, manage and promote natural and cultural resources within the parks system
Objectives
• Provide educational and environmental outreach activities for the community
• Develop, or review and update management strategies to align with best practices, and maintain and restore ecological function of natural areas
• Utilize appropriate funding and staffing to purchase and manage natural areas
• Develop long-term funding strategies to support proper resource management activities
• Develop or update management plans to new unit management plan template
1. Number of nature-based education and environmental programs or virtual events
Target = 14 events per month
2. Number of acres burned in the Prescribed Fire Program
Target = 7,500 acres of natural areas treated with prescribed fire per year
Targets per Quarter:
Q1 = 200 per month
Q2 = 300 per month
Q3 = 1,000 per month
Q4 = 1,000 per month
STEWARDSHIP AND PRESERVATION
3. Reduce number of natural area acres identified as “backlogged” in the Prescribed Fire Program
Targets per Quarter:
Q1 = 30 per month
Q2 = 120 per month
Q3 = 56 per month
Q4 = 68 per month
4. Number of acres treated for known infestations of non-native plants
• Include Natural Areas and Trails, Beaches and Water Access, Recreation and Neighborhood Parks locations, as applicable
• Annual treatment goal is 10% of known infestations
Target = Monthly treatment of 100 acres of known infestations
DIVERSE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
ENTERPRISELEVEL GOAL
Safe Place to Live, Work and Play
GOAL
Provide recreational, cultural and tourism opportunities and venues that align with the varying needs, abilities and desires of our community and visitors
Objectives
• Manage and update the Recreation Programming Plan based on a regular evaluation of community input, recreation trends, county demographic statistics and available resources
• Build relationships and enhance programs with community partners, leagues, users and volunteers
• Promote sports and eco-tourism within Sarasota County
• Expand programming and public access to increase annual participation and utilization rates of parks and facilities
DIVERSE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES Measures
1. Activity enrollment Targets:
January = 1,500 July = 750
February = 750 August = 1,000
March = 2,000 September = 1,250
April = 750 October = 1,000
May = 250 November = 300
June = 250 December = 400
2. Interior space participants
Target = 23,000 per month
3. $ value of economic impact from sporting events (Past 12 months)
Target = $100,000,000 per year
4. Participants in rentals at campground
Target = 2,625 per month
5. Pass visits
Target: 1,950 per month
6. Utilization of athletic fields
Target = 68% per quarter
7. Estimated number of interior and exterior participants reported on reservation permits excluding athletic fields
Target = 78,750 per month
8. Utilization of Turtle Beach Campground sites
Target = 90% per quarter
9. Number of trail users on The Legacy Trail
Annual target = 645,000 trail users per year
Targets per Quarter:
Q1 = 40,000 per month
Q2 = 70,000 per month
Q3 = 70,000 per month
Q4 = 35,000 per month
10. $ revenue from Knight Trail Park
Target = $14,050 per month
11. $ revenue from Phillippi Estate Park
Target = $9,100 per month
PARTICIPATION AND CONNECTION
ENTERPRISELEVEL GOALS
High Performing County Team
Exceptional County Services Aligned with Resources
GOAL
Create a dynamic organization committed to engaging the community through well-trained and engaged staff and volunteers
Objectives
• Maintain accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the American Camp Association (ACA).
• Obtain periodic community needs assessments through surveys and other methods
• Evaluate programs and services based on input, trends and best practices
• Engage the community through various social media avenues
• Encourage and support the ongoing training and education of staff
• Communicate goals, objectives and expectations regularly
• Continue to identify and implement Forward Innovation Team (FIT) and related opportunities to support PRNR goals
• Provide staff the necessary tools and resources to ensure they can be successful
• Deploy annual PRNR Employee Survey
• Identify and promote volunteer opportunities and provide recognition for volunteer efforts
Measures
1. Number of customer surveys collected
Target = 300 surveys per quarter
2. Score on PRNR Needs Assessment Survey
PARTICIPATION AND CONNECTION
• Overall response to the question “How well are your household’s needs being met by Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources?”
• Respondents rank Sarasota County PRNR offerings on a 5-point scale (ranging from poor to excellent)
Target = Average cumulative score of 3.5 out of 5
3. Overall customer satisfaction rating
• Respondents rank Sarasota County PRNR offerings on a 5-point scale (ranging from poor to excellent)
Target = Average cumulative score of 4.5 out of 5
4. Number of Facebook engagements with #SRQCountyParks
Target = 8,000 per month
Measures continued...
5. Number of Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certifications
Target = 20 staff per year
PARTICIPATION AND CONNECTION
6. Number of other professional certifications held (Pesticide Applicator’s License, Certified Playground Safety Inspector, Natural Areas Training Academy, Certified Prescribed Burn Manager, Turf Management, Commercial Driver’s License or similar)
Target = 100 certifications per year
7. Employee satisfaction rating (annual survey)
• Staff rank job satisfaction on a 5-point scale (Very dissatisfied to very satisfied)
Target = 4 out of 5
INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY
ENTERPRISELEVEL GOALS
World-Class Quality of Life Amenities
Robust, Growing
Business Opportunities
Safe Place to Live, Work and Play
GOAL
Develop, maintain and enhance clean, safe, accessible parks
Objectives
• Manage contracts and vendors to ensure accountability and contact compliance
• Ensure clean, safe and accessible parks by conducting regular inspections by Internal Standards Inspection Team (ISIT) and division staff
• Maintain and develop standard operating procedures that support PRNR’s Master Plan Level of Service (LOS) Standards and tiered service delivery model
• Develop proactive and preventive maintenance planning and life cycle expectations
• Identify accessible, inclusive and age-friendly improvement opportunities
Measures
1. Completion of identified deficiencies in the PRNR ADA Transition Plan that are not associated with regular maintenance
Target = 10 per quarter
2. Turf to weed ratio reporting on athletic fields
Target = 70% or better annually
INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY
GOAL
Foster a diverse and balanced approach to meet level of service goals while preserving fiscal sustainability
Objectives
• Develop and implement a regional park model with the municipalities
• Develop and maintain partnerships that support the delivery of the PRNR mission
• Diversify funding sources to support operations and park improvements
• Identify alternative methods, such as expanded volunteer opportunities, to meet PRNR Master Plan Level of Service standards
Measures
1. Number of volunteer hours
• Goal is to increase overall volunteer hours by 3% annually
Target = Approximately 40,000 hours per quarter
2. Number of Sheriff’s Work Offender Program hours utilized by PRNR
Target = 3,000 hours per quarter
3. Number of court-appointed service hours utilized by PRNR
Target = 250 hours per quarter
4. $ revenue from permitted commercial vendor services
Target = $310,000 per quarter
Measures continued...
5. Dollar value of sponsorships, donations and in-kind support
Target = $40,000 per quarter
6. $ total collected revenue
Target = $1,125,000 per quarter
7. $ value of partnerships
Target = $15,000 per quarter
8. $ value volunteers
Target = $1,000,000
INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY
HOW TO REACH US:
Mailing address: Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources
1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota
Phone: 311
Follow us @SRQCountyGov | SarasotaCountyParks.com