PowerPoint Presentation

Parks and Recreation 
Master Plan
Draft Recommendations Presentation | April 2021

Project Purpose
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•Assess existing services & 
conditions,
•Determine community needs,
•Accurately reflect current and 
future conditions, and
•Incorporate relevant plans
Tonight’s Purpose: 
Solicit Comments from City Council

Process
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Information Gathering
Individual Interviews
October 28-30, 2019
Findings Presentation
City Council Workshop
June 9, 2020
Disparity Report 
Provided to City 
Council in September 
2020
Parks and Recreation 
Advisory Committee, 
October 12, 2020
Council Involvement

Public Engagement
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Information Gathering
Oct 28-30, 2019  
- 103 in-person contacts
- 436 online viewers
- 5 focus groups 
- 1 included Facebook Live
- 11 stakeholder interviews
- One public forum 
- Included Facebook Live

Public Engagement Sessions
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• Equity in delivery of services and in 
quality of, and access to, facilities 
and amenities
• Resources to meet ability to deliver 
PRFSE services and care for 
facilities

Public Engagement Sessions
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• Maintain/care for/improve what   
exists in balance with expanding new 
facilities and services
• Personal safety in public spaces
• Preserve Glendale’s character

Community Survey Responses
Key Findings

Public Engagement
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Statistically-valid Community Survey
Dec 2019-Feb 2020 
- 632 total participants
- Random sample mail survey (276)
- Online survey (356)
Surveys mailed to 4,251 
randomly selected households.

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Improve what is currently offered and allocating 
resources to improve amenities. Across many survey 
topics, this is a priority.
Add/improve restrooms and improve park amenities are 
the two most important ways to encourage people to use 
their local parks. 
Top three future priorities:
- improve park amenities, 
- additional walking/biking paths, and 
- events and festivals. 
Key Findings from Community Survey

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Key Findings from Community Survey
Balance between improving current offerings and 
developing new sites/facilities. If the respondent chose 
one emphasis, consistently respondents selected 
prioritizing improving current facilities/parks.
Open-ended comments highlight the need to ensure 
parks are safe, park/facility-specific needs, and praise 
for the City’s efforts. Many comments highlight how 
important parks are to respondents’ families too.
Thunderbird Conservation Park, community/ 
neighborhood parks, and Foothills Recreation Center all 
received high importance and high needs met ratings 
among facilities.

Analyses
Overview of Findings

Operating Expenditures 
per Park Acre
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Glendale
Gilbert
Peoria
Scottsdale
Surprise
NRPA 
Median
Park 
operating 
expenditures 
per Park Acre
$3,036 $6,437 $11,995 $17,203
$8,383 $6,750
Source: 2019 NRPA Agency Performance Report

FTEs per 10,000 Residents
14
Glendale
Gilbert
Peoria
Scottsdale
Surprise
NRPA 
Median
FTEs per 
10,000 
population
1.91
6.22
11.01
14.75
4.1
8.3
Source: 2019 NRPA Agency Performance Report

Parks Assessment Summary
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•Generally, well maintained but a deferred 
maintenance backlog is apparent
•Some unique properties combined with 
standard neighborhood parks
•Need for updating/continuing park 
identification signs and branding
•Numerous playground surfacing and court 
surfaces are worn/dated

GRASP® Neighborhood 
Access
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1-mile drive-to/bike-to and 10-min walk

Disparity Report
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Strive to improve residents’ access to 
quality parks and recreation experiences 
throughout Glendale. 
• Make park improvements in gap areas
• Improve existing recreation and community 
centers
• Offer programs that appeal to younger adults 
and families
• Locate programs at a variety of sites

Recommendations Summary

Goal 1: Access to Parks and 
Recreation Experiences
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•Funding improvements
– Public involvement on planning efforts at:
• Sahuaro Ranch Park (1-3 years)
• Thunderbird Conservation Park (4-7 years)
• Linear parks (4-7 years)
• Glendale Heroes Regional Park (7+ years)
•Collaborating to make connections
•Providing indoor recreation facilities
•Offering fee-based programs that appeal 
to community

Park Improvements Concept
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Park Improvements Concept
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Park Improvements Concept
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Goal 1: Access to Parks and 
Recreation Experiences
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•Expanding youth programs at Centers
•Holding special events that celebrate 
well-being and/or culture
•Implementing financial strategies aimed 
at increasing participation

Goal 2: Resource Allocation 
& Asset Management
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•Following operational and maintenance 
best practices
– Utilization of asset management & tree data
•Conducting system assessments to inform 
needs & practices
– Animal Management Plan at Sahuaro Ranch Park
•Staffing PFRSE adequately to ensure 
entire system is well-maintained
– Special events, parks maintenance, trails

Goal 3: Solutions & 
Relationships
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• Making improvements which maximize 
resources 
– Resource allocation public process
– Equitable exchanges with partners
– Regular program assessments
•Engaging community
– Meaningful public process when planning
– Community relations and marketing plan
– Wayfinding and signage

Goal 4: 
Knowledgeable Workforce
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• Ensuring staff know systems, policies, 
and procedures
• Creating positive workplace culture

Next Step
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Questions and responses
Keri Konold, CPRP
Direct:  720.891.6663 
kerik@greenplayllc.com
Teresa Jackson
Direct: 916.206.4390
teresaj@greenplayllc.com