Why

Greenfield, Indiana is the county seat of Hancock County. Formerly considered a relatively “unhealthy” county, Hancock County now ranks 4^th 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