Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Parks and Recreation Department

TO:	Tom Markus
FROM:	Ernie Shaw
CC:	Diane Stoddard, Casey Toomay
DATE:	Wednesday, July 6, 2016
RE:	Parks and Recreation Master Plan Survey Results

Background

In February 2016, the Lawrence City Commission approved a contract with GreenPlay LLC to update the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department’s Comprehensive Master Plan, which was developed in 2000.  The City Commission set up a Master Plan Steering Committee made up of a cross-section of community leaders and stakeholders and user groups to oversee its development.

Project Description

The master plan process included holding focus group meetings with stakeholders, user groups and community leaders.  Public meetings were also held to gather feedback on department priorities and current and future community recreational needs.  From the group and public meetings, a survey was created that was mailed to random Lawrence households, as well as being posted online for the community at-large to participate and share their views.

Result Findings

The attached documents goes through the results of the surveys, a matrix of key issues and a benchmark matrix with other communities. This Master Plan Findings PowerPoint Presentation was presented at the regular LPRD Advisory Board Meeting Tuesday, July 12, which was held jointly with the City of Lawrence Parks and Recreation Master Plan Steering Committee. The Findings Presentation PowerPoint focuses mostly on the master plan survey results and also includes a summary of the process to-date, demographic highlights, some benchmarking highlights and an inventory summary.

The process will continue with a Visioning Workshop with the Master Plan Steering Committee by representatives of GreenPlay LLC to discuss preliminary recommendations for the Master Plan. Once the recommendations are complete, the recommendations will be presented and the Draft Master Plan will be delivered for review.

Action

No action necessary at this time.