Author: zeceightinsights_l0pfvg

Greenfield, IN Parks and Recreation Master Plan (2024)

Why

Greenfield, Indiana is the county seat of Hancock County. Formerly considered a relatively “unhealthy” county, Hancock County now ranks 4th in the Hoosier state as the healthiest county, and parks and recreation services play a vital role in residents’ health. To capitalize on this trend, and to keep current with the Indiana DNR’s five-year planning guidelines, Greenfield Parks and Recreation wanted to update its five-year plan.

HOW

Zec Eight Insights focused on communicating with a public that has been traditionally difficult to reach for public opinion. To solicit meaningful public feedback, Zec Eight Insights conducted stakeholder interviews and focus groups, attended a summer concert series event, implemented an online survey, provided a traditional in-person public meeting opportunity, and surveyed participants at the annual Trunk or Treat Halloween event using real-time polling software. In addition to the public outreach, Zec Eight Insights ensured staff visioning sessions occurred as a mechanism to facilitate staff alignment as a precursor to developing the final action plan.

What

The final Parks and Recreation Master Plan brings forth outstanding relevant recommendations from the previous planning period and combines them with an increased focused strategy on increasing operational investments and impact, making park system improvements, enhancing recreation programming opportunities, increasing the utilization of park sites, leveraging partnerships to create more access, and preparing for smart growth.

Reference
Ellen Kuker, Director
Greenfield Parks and Recreation
(317) 325-1453
ekuker@greenfieldin.org
280 Apple Street
Greenfield, IN 46140

Logansport, IN Parks and Recreation Master Plan (2024)

Why

Logansport, Indiana is looking towards its public recreation to revitalize a community experiencing slow population growth. In fact, with many public spaces along the Eel River (which runs through the heart of the city), the parks and recreation department is poised to be the catalyst for the area’s community vitality. The Logansport Parks and Recreation Department desired to develop a five-year master plan that would help position themselves as the area’s “First Choice in Outdoor Recreation.”

HOW

Zec Eight Insights partnered with Context Design and ETC Institute to create the department’s next five-year plan. Zec Eight Insights focused on conducting an operational assessment, synthesizing community engagement data, and developing new vision and mission statements along with core values for the department. A series of public meetings and staff (and Board) workshops helped create a unified vision for park land improvements, recreation investments, and the overall vision for Logansport Parks and Recreation.

What

The final Parks and Recreation Master Plan provides site-specific guidance for amenity and facility improvements, operational best practices, funding and financing strategies, and leveraging the city’s waterfront and rich history as part of its recreational offerings. Additionally, a new vision statement, mission statement, and core value statements were developed, reviewed, and adopted by the Park Board as part of the overall plan development and adoption process.

Reference
Janet E. Fawley, Parks Administrator
Logansport Parks and Recreation
(574) 753-6969
parksadministrator@cityoflogansport.org
1701 Dividend Drive
Logansport, IN 46947

Allen County, IN Parks and Recreation Master Plan (2023)

Why

Located in the northeast corner of Indiana, Allen County Parks manages over 1,000 acres of park land. In addition to being a requirement for Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant opportunities, Allen County Parks wanted to complete a Five-Year Master Plan for the following reasons: to improve agency management; establish direction and set constraints; define goals, objectives, and priorities; communicate direction to staff; allocate agency resources; facilitate delegation of responsibilities; manage change; assure public accountability; evaluate success; promote consistency in decisions; and promote cooperation and unity.

HOW

Zec Eight Insights partnered with Designing Local for the planning process. Designing Local is a certified woman-owned business that helps communities create beautiful, functional places that engage and inspire. Together, the planning team analyzed park access, ALICE findings, levels of service, operational policies and procedures, financial projections, existing site conditions and constraints, and public engagement findings to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the Allen County Parks system.

What

The final Master Plan included the development of GIS base files, five-year capital improvement plan (CIP) project list, along with recommendations for system funding, department advocacy, technology improvements, land acquisition, and staffing considerations. Recommendations for both the built environment and operational planning enable Allen County Parks to be more successful with implementing action strategies and communicating with elected officials, staff, and the public.

Reference
Jeff Baxter, Superintendent
Allen County Parks
(260) 449-3312
jbaxter@allencountyparks.org
8401 Union Chapel Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46845

Bargersville, IN Parks and Recreation Master Plan (2022)

Why

The Town of Bargersville operates under the council/manager form of government. The Town of Bargersville, incorporated in 1880, has an estimated population of 7,085 and a land area of 18.7 square miles. As the Town continues to experience growth, the demand for additional recreational facilities will increase. The Town sought to identify additional funding sources to provide the facilities necessary to meet the demands of the population growth. Additionally, the Town sought to establish the necessary management and governance structure to deliver parks and recreation services.

HOW

The Master Plan utilized a comprehensive exploratory approach. First, context was established by conducting stakeholder interviews. Second, public engagement was conducted via online surveying, user intercept surveying, public meetings, and notifications via the Town’s water bill and special event fliers. Third, governance needs were determined based on the community’s vision for the future park and recreation system. Fourth, funding sources were identified to help the Town of Bargersville implement the community’s vision.

What

The final Master Plan provides an inclusive outline to smart growth in terms of functionality and governance. A connection to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) was established that supports the newly adopted land acquisition philosophy and approach. Additionally, the Master Plan process coincided with the Town’s five-year update up the Recreation Impact Fee (RIF). As a result, systematic growth, management and governance, and funding and financing represent the three key tenets of the overarching plan.

Reference
Julie Young, AICP
Town Manager
(317) 422-3101
jyoung@townofbargersville.org
24 North Main Street
Bargersville, IN 46106

Madison County, IN Parks, Trails, Open Space, and Natural Areas Master Plan (2024)

Why

The Forward Madison County 2035 Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2021 to guide growth and development within Madison County over the next 20 years. The plan outlined a number of goals and objectives intended to better position the County to achieve and foster anticipated growth. Included in the plan are recommendations to explore options for providing improving parks and recreational facilities throughout Madison County. As a result, the county sought a plan that would include the formation of a County Parks and Recreation Department, a county-wide review of the existing parks and recreational facilities, identification of underserved areas, and an implementation plan to ensure smart, cohesive facilities are provided.

HOW

Zec Eight Insights partnered with V3 Companies, Lehman & Lehman, and ETC Institute to develop the new parks department and corresponding master plan. Zec Eight Insights focused on working with the county team to identify the most appropriate organizational structure, maintenance standards and practices, and policies and procedures to fulfill the department’s operational needs and community vision. Additionally, guidance was provided for establishing the county’s first-ever Parks Board according to Indiana Code.

What

The final Parks, Trails, Open Space, and Natural Areas Plan focuses on trails and pathways development as a starting focus for the county park department. Land acquisition strategies and corresponding park classification typologies are included to help the county expand beyond trail connectivity when ready. Additionally, a growth strategy for department staffing is presented based on a functional organizational structure design and progression.

Reference
Jessica S. Bastin, P.E.
Madison County Engineer
(765) 646-9245
jbastin@madisoncounty.in.gov
16 East 9th Street
Anderson, IN 46016

Hamilton County, IN Parks and Recreation Master Plan (2022)

Why

For the fifth consecutive decade, Hamilton County, Indiana remained the fastest growing Indiana county in 2020 (with a 26.5% population increase). The county is also home to strong local municipal parks and recreation departments. As a result, Hamilton County residents are accustomed to a high level of service and quality of life expectations. Hamilton County Parks and Recreation (HCPR) desired to update its Five-Year Master Plan to be eligible for the Land and Water Conservation Fund monies established by Congress in 1964. HCPR sought to create a more robust land acquisition strategy, identify new funding and revenue considerations, and create a plan that provides direction for operations and maintenance.

HOW

Zec Eight Insights partnered with Lehman & Lehman along with ETC Institute. Lehman & Lehman is a landscape architect firm located in Mishawaka, IN. They provided their expertise in park assessments, mapping, and assistance with the overall plan’s development. ETC Institute is based in Olathe, KS and is recognized as an industry leader in community market research. They provided their expertise in statistically-valid surveying which resulted in 600 collected responses with a precision rate of +/- 4% at the 95% level of confidence.

What

The final Master Plan provides an updated land acquisition plan/policy, baseline for establishing staffing standards, funding and revenue guidelines to help fund the system, identified capital improvement projects by park location, and an implementable action plan with a phased approach over the five-year planning period. The plan is a direct result of a large internal and external engagement process coupled with technical assessments and research.

Reference
Chris Stice, Director
Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department
(317) 770-4400
chris.stice@hamiltoncounty.in.gov
400 Lafayette Road
Noblesville, IN 46060

New Haven, IN Parks and Recreation Master Plan (2023)

Why

New Haven-Adams Township Parks and Recreation has a unique organizational set-up compared to most Indiana parks departments. The department’s jurisdictional boundary contains New Haven’s city limits and Adams Township boundaries. As a result, the department has two residential stakeholder groups to plan recreational opportunities along with having a more complex funding structure. New Haven-Adams Township Parks and Recreation saw the Five-Year Master Plan as a way to better inform operational decisions in light of its organizational structure along with meeting the requirement for Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant opportunities.

HOW

Zec Eight Insights partnered with Designing Local for the planning process. Designing Local is a certified woman-owned business that helps communities create beautiful, functional places that engage and inspire. Together, the planning team analyzed park access, ALICE findings, levels of service, operational policies and procedures, financial projections, existing site conditions and constraints, and public engagement findings to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the parks system.

What

The final Master Plan included the development of GIS base files, five-year capital improvement plan (CIP) project list, along with recommendations for increased financial investment, park system governance, adjusting programs and services, adding “missing” facilities/amenities to the system, and adopting a land acquisition philosophy. Recommendations for both the built environment and operational planning enable New Haven-Adams Township Parks and Recreation to be more successful with implementing action strategies and communicating with elected officials, staff, and the public.

Reference
Mike Clendenen, Superintendent
New Haven-Adams Township Parks and Recreation
(260) 749-2212
mclendenen@newhaven.in.gov
7500 SR 930 E
Fort Wayne, IN 46803

Aspen, CO Recreation Business Plan (2023)

Why

The Aspen Recreation Department has an agreement with the Recreation Advisory Committee that a Recreation Business Plan must be updated every ten years. The most recent Recreation Business Plan was set to be revaluated in 2025, but given the COVID-driven impacts on public recreation facilities, early funding was granted in order to proceed with an updated Recreation Business Plan in 2023.

HOW

Zec Eight Insights partnered with PROS Consulting and ePRepSolutions to update the Recreation Business Plan. Zec Eight Insights focused on conducting a customized recreation program inventory and analysis. Namely, Zec Eight Insights analyzed all available registration and usership data for a three-year period to develop a trend timeframe for program capacities, cancelation rates, utilization rates (space), resident vs. non-resident use, and program delivery and evaluation methods.

What

The final Recreation Business Plan provides a holistic understanding of the financial implications associated with operating the city’s recreation facilities. A detailed financial analysis conducted by ePRepSolutions, fiscal recommendations produced by PROS Consulting, and customized analytics reviewed by Zec Eight Insights provided specific directions for the next five to ten years of public recreation in Aspen.

Reference
Desiree Whitehead, Recreation Director
Aspen Parks and Recreation
(970) 429-2083
Desiree.whitehead@aspen.gov
585 Cemetery Lane
Aspen, CO 81611

Grove City, OH Recreation Program Plan (2022)

Why

Grove City Parks and Recreation was the fourth CAPRA accredited department in the state of Ohio (2006). Re-accreditation occurs every five years and the most recent re-accreditation process yielded a need to update the Recreation Program Plan to make it more comprehensive and functional for the department. Additionally, there was a desire to enhance the way the department created and evaluated programming along with utilizing key performance indicators.

HOW

Zec Eight Insights worked with the department to understand their point of view as they relate to public recreation programs and services. Community engagement ensued with stakeholder interviews and focus groups along with a community survey. Results indicated a preferred direction(s) for the department over the next five years. A custom data analysis was performed on reports produced via RecTrac to examine multi-year data trends in terms of program capacity, enrollments, day of the week participation, seasonality, and cancelation rates. This analysis was combined with both the internal and external stakeholder engagement process to produce the final Recreation Program Plan.

What

The final plan includes a multi-year implementation plan that focuses on a three-year timeframe while also providing more long-term strategies. In total, 17 strategies are articulated that span actions related to core program area service administration, strategies to develop/propose programs, enhanced evaluation metrics and processes, and decision-making attributes for current and future/potential collaborations and partnerships.

Reference
Kim Conrad, Director
Grove City Parks and Recreation Department
(614) 277-3051
kconrad@grovecityohio.gov
3226 Kingston Avenue
Grove City, OH 43123

Putnam County, IN Glenn Flint Lake Campground Study (2024)

Why

The Little Walnut Creek Conservancy District, located in Greencastle, Indiana, was established under Indiana statute as a unit of local government in 1967 for the purpose of flood control and recreation. As part of its purview, the District oversees Glenn Flint Lake. At the time of the study, Glenn Flint Lake had one public boat ramp and a few primitive camping spots. The District, in association with Putnam Parks & Pathways and the Putnam County Visitor Bureau, desires to see the lake’s public access enhanced and so a study examining a potential campground on location was commenced.

HOW

Zec Eight Insights partnered with V3 Companies to study the feasibility of locating a campground on location. Zec Eight Insights performed an environmental scan for similar providers and direct competitors while calculating market availability for such an amenity. After working with V3 to study the proposed site’s constraints, limitations, and opportunities, Zec Eight Insights developed a customized operational budget based on maintenance standards, market rates, utilization rates, and management decisions based on organizational/governance structure. Additionally, a revenue model was created that can be easily manipulated based on the number of revenue centers added on site.

What

The final Glenn Flint Lake Campground Study was deemed feasible based on-site availability, market need, and operational implications. The intent of this study is to serve as a lead-in to a larger Glenn Flint Lake Site Master Plan that will examine all publicly-accessible areas surrounding the water to determine the best public uses. This study is also being used to procure financial resources for public recreation development of the lake and campground in particular.

Reference
Mike Richmond, Marketing Director & Destination Development
Putnam Parks & Pathways
(765) 620-4653
mike@goputnam.com
12 W Washington Street
Greencastle, IN 46135