RELEVANT PLANS AND STUDIES

Plano Comprehensive Plan

Adopted in 2021, the Plano Comprehensive Plan is entirely online as opposed to the traditional document format. The plan is a long-range guide for future growth, priorities, services, development, and redevelopment of the City. The overall vision for the plan is: Plano is a global leader, excelling in exceptional education, abounding with world class businesses and vibrant neighborhoods. The plan is guided by five Pillars that cover topical categories with subsequent components:

• Built Environment

• Social Environment

• Natural Environment

• Economic Environment

• Regionalism

The Parks and Recreation Policy falls under the Quality of Life Component within the Social Environment Pillar.

The Parks and Recreation Policy documented in the Plano Comprehensive Plan is:

Plano will develop and maintain a comprehensive system of park, trail, recreational, fitness, and sports facilities and programs that keeps pace with the City's changing demographics, creates multiuse destinations, and improves the health, wellness, and morale of the citizens. Figure 2.4 represents the Parks Master Plan map adopted as part of the 2021 Comprehensive Plan.

Other Relevant Studies

Heritage Preservation Plan (2018): The plan serves as a guiding document for Plano’s Heritage Preservation Program. Key issues presented in the plan include heritage resource identification, preservation and interpretation, designation, promotion, reinvestment in historic assets, education, and implementation of programs. The plan also discusses the potential for establishing conservation districts in Downtown and Haggard Addition areas to preserve the historical character.

Collin County Regional Trails Master Plan (2012): This plan focused on identifying opportunities to better connect cities in Collin County via trails and bikeways. Key components of the plan were the identification of high-priority corridors for regional linkages and identification of critical gaps that should be filled in the network. Eleven key inter-city connections involved Plano. The resulting plan serves as guidance for which trails and bikeways each city can pursue in the future.

Trail/Bike Master Plan (2015): This plan was included as an element in the 2015 Plano Comprehensive Plan. The plan identified major issues facing cyclists in the city, such as crossing major roadways via bike, as well as major initiatives to pursue, such as connecting the Chisholm Trail south to Richardson, the Preston Ridge Trail south to Dallas, and trails in the Rowlett Creek area to Allen and Frisco.

Regional Study of Sports (2016): The cities of Allen, Frisco, McKinney, Plano, and Richardson worked together for this planning effort to identify current athletic needs, use and allocation of fields, and recommended improvements. In Plano, the primary need was identified as more practice fields as well as fields for newer sports, such as cricket, lacrosse, and ultimate Frisbee. Additionally, the study recognized that Plano has taken on the role as a regional provider of fields for leagues and tournaments of which other area cities take advantage. Major recommendations included reclassifying fields in Plano based on their size and primary uses, establishing a Youth Sports Council, and establishing a Five-Cities Athletic Fields Council.

Parks and Recreation Marketing Plan (2016): The Marketing and Community Engagement department at the City oversees communication functions for all Plano departments. The plan documented trends in Plano, including increasing diversity, plateauing population, and increasing median age. The goals that the team seeks to emphasize in coming years include being a community of choice, offering something for everyone, and educating citizens.

Trust for Public Land Report (2017): The report analyzed and quantified the economic benefits of parks, recreation, and trails in Plano. Overall, parks in Plano raise values of nearby homes by $337 million. Additionally, sports-related tourism generates $39.2 million annually in direct visitor spending. The benefits to human health amount to $21.2 million annually, since healthier residents spend less on medical costs.

Urban Forestry Master Plan (2017): This plan provides goals and actions to improve and grow the urban forest in Plano. The plan found that the replacement value of the urban forest in Plano is more than $1.6 billion. Additionally, the urban forest represents approximately $11.4 million in environmental, economic, and infrastructure benefits each year. The three areas of focus for plan actions were growing a healthy and resilient urban forest, branding and outreach, and program organization and funding.

Performing Arts Facility Needs Assessment (2017): This assessment analyzed what additional cultural facilities are needed in the city and was initiated due to increased demand for existing performance spaces. Based on the assessment, the report recommended a new community arts center and a partnership with PISD for access to the school district facility.

Parks and Recreation Marketing and Communications Plan (2020): This plan’s marketing and communications strategy has two main goals: to promote and encourage participation in the many high-quality programs, services, and facilities that are available to Plano residents, in addition to raise awareness of how vital Plano Parks and Recreation is to the community’s health and quality of life.

Plano 55+ Survey (2020): This study was completed as an online survey for residents of Plano ages 55 and up designed to assess their needs, awareness and their usage of Plano’s recreational facilities. The survey showed that Plano’s seniors are more aware of the services available compared to previous years.