September 24, 2026.

MINUTES
OPEN SPACES COMMISSION HYBRID MEETING
THURSDAY FLAGSTAFF AQUAPLEX
SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 AND MICROSOFT TEAMS
1702 N FOURTH STREET
4:00 P.M.
1. Call to Order
Chair Thomas called the meeting to order at 4:01 PM.
2. Roll Call
NOTE: One or more Commissioners may be in attendance through other technological means.
Chair Jacqueline Thomas, present Commissioner Molly Joyce, present
Co-Chair Bruce Fox, present Commissioner Lina Wallen, present
Commissioner Mary Norton (P&Z Liaison), present Commissioner Nat White, present
Commissioner William Kluwin, present Councilmember Rep: David Spence, absent
Staff present: Rebecca Sayers (PROSE Director), Robert Wallace (Open Space Manager) Sylvia
Struss (Open Space Coordinator), Ashlee Fliney (Open Space Educator), Lori Reynolds
(Administrative Specialist), Sarah Holditch (Events & Marketing Coordinator)
3. Land Acknowledgment
The Flagstaff Open Space Commission humbly acknowledges the ancestral homelands of this
area's Indigenous nations and original stewards. These lands, still inhabited by Native descendants,
border mountains sacred to Indigenous peoples. We honor them, their legacies, their traditions, and
their continued contributions. We celebrate their past, present, and future generations who will
forever know this place as home.
Read by Chair Thomas.
4. Approval of Minutes, August 24, 2026
Commissioner Wallen moved to approve the August 24, 2026 minutes as attached. Commissioner
Norton seconded the motion. Motion carried.
5. Open Call to the Public
No comments were received.
6. Business Items
A. Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Events Division (PROSE) Master Plan Update and Discussion
PROSE Master Plan consultants Marissa Pellegrini and Sean Wozny attended the meeting to
provide an overview of the Master Plan process and facilitate a focused discussion with the
Commission.
A copy of the presentation can be found here.
Marissa explained that the Master Plan will establish short, mid, and long-term priorities and a
shared vision for PROSE. The planning effort takes a holistic look at parks, recreation, open

space, and events, as well as supporting operations and maintenance while aligning with existing
City and Council goals. The process includes a comprehensive inventory and assessment of
PROSE assets, evaluation of current and desired levels of service, and analysis of operations and
maintenance costs to support a sustainable and fiscally responsible plan for the next decade and
beyond.
The project is anticipated to take approximately 14 months, with implementation targeted for
summer 2027. The project is currently in the needs assessment phase, Step 3 of 10, with
consultants gathering community input and assessing existing conditions. Roughly 40 partner
groups have been identified for targeted engagement, with meetings continuing into October.
Public engagement also includes in-person and virtual workshops, pop-up events, and interactive
tools available through the project website: www.flagstaffprose.com
Commissioner White expressed support for attending a variety of community pop-up events,
noting that different events provide opportunities to reach different segments of the community. In
response to his question regarding engagement methods, Marissa described interactive activities,
including comment notes, dot exercises, and an anonymous mobile survey.
Consultants then facilitated a focus-group discussion with Commissioners. Chair Thomas initially
questioned whether the exercise would duplicate feedback Commissioners had already submitted
through the public engagement tools. Marissa clarified that the discussion was intended to gather
feedback specifically from Commissioners in their advisory capacity, including their perspectives
on the current PROSE system and its future direction. Sean asked Commissioners to identify the
most important functions and qualities of the PROSE system. Commissioners emphasized the
following themes:
Protection and identity of Open Space: Commissioners stressed the importance of protecting
remaining Open Space as Flagstaff grows and ensuring Open Space preserves remain a
distinct and visible component of the broader PROSE system. Sean noted that Open Space
was largely absent from the previous master plan and confirmed that it will be incorporated
into the current plan. Commissioners also requested clear definitions of the City's Open
Space system and emphasized ecosystem preservation, restoration, and long-term
sustainability.
Quality of life and access: Commissioners identified PROSE as an important contributor to
residents' quality of life and discussed balancing resident and visitor needs. They emphasized
equitable access to parks and Open Space throughout the city and better alignment and
connectivity among facilities.
Connectivity: Commissioners discussed the importance of connecting City Open Space to
surrounding public lands, particularly Forest Service lands, and improving trail connections
among parks, recreation facilities, and Open Space. Sean explained that the planning
process will include a gap analysis to identify missing connections, barriers, and levels of
service, including consideration of 10-minute walkability.
Economic and environmental value: Commissioner Joyce noted the economic value
associated with proximity to parks and Open Space and encouraged consideration of
environmental economics within the Master Plan. Commissioners also emphasized
maintaining healthy ecosystems and improving the resilience of Open Space to wildfire.
Maintenance and communication: Commissioners identified concerns regarding maintenance
of PROSE facilities and the need for greater transparency when public amenities are affected
by weather, closures, or planned maintenance.
Interagency coordination: Commissioners emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong
working relationship with the U.S. Forest Service's Coconino National Forest and suggested
exploring formal agreements or other opportunities for coordination.
Mapping and public engagement: Commissioners requested that maps used during public
engagement more clearly distinguish public and private lands so participants can better
understand existing access and identify areas where additional parks or public access may
be needed.
When asked which areas or populations may be underserved by the existing PROSE system,
Commissioners identified the Southside, noting the lack of a neighborhood park within a 10-minute
walk and the need to cross the railroad tracks to access Thorpe Park - the nearest park for the

Southside community; improved connectivity from the east side to Picture Canyon; improved
access to trails and public lands north of Flagstaff, including from the Linda Vista Road area;
connections from the Lake Mary area to Forest Service lands; and additional or improved pocket
parks throughout the community.
A Commissioner asked whether participation in the Master Plan engagement process was limited
to Flagstaff residents, noting that people living outside city limits frequently rely on Flagstaff for
services and recreation. Marissa clarified that participation is open to everyone and that both
resident and visitor perspectives are being considered.
Sean asked Commissioners to identify additional organizations or partnerships that should be
included in the planning process. Suggestions included Girls on the Run, the Grand Canyon Trust,
potential partnerships with developers, and additional community organizations that could use
existing parks and Open Space to engage residents.
Commissioners also discussed key opportunities and challenges for the future PROSE system.
Opportunities included incorporating PROSE facilities and amenities into future development,
strengthening partnerships with the Forest Service and other organizations, and creating additional
opportunities for community organizations to utilize City parks and public spaces. Acquisition of
additional property for Open Space was identified as a significant challenge.
When asked to describe a "big idea" or long-term vision for PROSE, Commissioner White
envisioned an interconnected network of parks, recreation facilities, Open Space, and surrounding
Forest Service lands linked by trails. Commissioner Joyce expanded on this concept by noting the
need for diverse outdoor recreation opportunities for youth and families beyond traditional sports
courts, including running and bicycling facilities. Staff noted that a multi-use track is already
included in PROSE's current five-year plan.
Additional long-term ideas included stronger partnerships with Northern Arizona University to
explore public access to underutilized recreational facilities; ensuring PROSE is incorporated into
future development, planning, and zoning decisions; improving connectivity between existing and
future PROSE facilities; developing facilities capable of supporting PROSE events in more areas
of the city; recognizing and preserving the distinct character of Flagstaff's different areas; and
providing additional indoor or all-weather facilities to support winter and year-round recreation.
Following the consultant-led discussion, Commissioner Norton asked which of the online
engagement tools was most useful to the consultants. Marissa identified the online survey as the
most useful tool. Commissioner Kluwin referenced the 2023 Open Spaces Strategic Plan and
emphasized that its core terminology related to restoration and preservation should be carried
forward and explicitly reflected in how Open Space is addressed within the PROSE Master Plan.
Rebecca Sayers outlined the next steps in the Master Plan process. Consultants will conduct a
similar focus-group exercise with the Parks and Recreation Commission next month. Consultants
have already met with several focus groups during the current week and plan to hold a public
workshop in October. Flyers and social media materials for the workshop had not yet been
released. Consultants will also meet individually with other areas of the PROSE division later in the
process. Marissa added that they plan to distribute a ballot-style survey to targeted City
demographics near the end of 2026. The mailed survey has historically achieved approximately a
95% response/completion rate and will be used to complete the baseline of public input for the
Master Plan.
Chair Thomas invited public comment regarding the PROSE Master Plan. No public comments
were received.
7. Reports and Updates
A. Council Representative Report, Council Representative David Spence
Councilmember Spence was absent from this meeting.

B. Planning and Zoning Commission Representative Report, Representative Mary Norton
Commissioner Norton reported that Planning and Zoning continues to review code text
amendments related to the rezoning process. She explained that there are currently two pathways
for rezoning; however, the proposed amendment would eliminate the direct-to-site-plan option and
instead utilize a concept zoning map. The concept zoning map would not be binding to a specific
concept plan, providing greater flexibility as development moves forward.
The amendment passed the Planning and Zoning Commission by a 4–1 vote and is expected to
proceed to City Council, with the meeting date yet to be determined. Commissioner Norton noted
that the proposed changes are intended to make the rezoning process faster and less costly for
developers. She added that the City Council hearing will provide an opportunity for public input on
the proposed changes.
C. Open Space Management Report, Robert Wallace and Sylvia Struss
Sylvia Struss provided the Open Space Management Report. Weed pulls have continued in areas
identified or managed as Open Space, including areas along FUTS trails. Recent efforts have
combined invasive weed removal with trash cleanup following monsoon storms and associated
runoff.
Upcoming Open Space outreach and recreation events include Science in the Park on September
26 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Wheeler Park, where staff will host a booth featuring plein air
painting; a Full Moon Hike at Picture Canyon at 5:45 p.m. that evening; and two Tarantula Treks
on October 4, scheduled for 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
Sylvia provided Commissioners with flyers advertising upcoming Open Space events and
opportunities for participation and encouraged Commissioners to help distribute them throughout
the community. A sign-up sheet was also available for Commissioners interested in assisting.
She also noted that staff are preparing a grant application to Arizona State Parks to support
replacement of signage at Picture Canyon.
D. PROSE Monthly Newsletter (August 2026)
8. Informational Items To and From Commissioners and Staff
9. Potential Future Agenda Items
Robert Wallace reminded the Commission that the next meeting will consist of the planned Open
Space field trip. He noted that approximately 30–40 minutes of additional travel time will be
needed to reach the field trip location and discussed whether Commissioners would prefer an
earlier start time to accommodate the commute. Commissioners agreed to meet at 3:30 p.m. at
Thorpe Park Dog Park for transportation to the field trip location.
10. Adjournment
Chair Thomas adjourned the meeting at 6:05 PM