Why

During the development of Parks Plan 2040 (the Parks and Recreation System Plan), it was identified as necessary to update the department’s Athletic Field Requirements Report. The overarching study goal has remained consistent since 2001: to study the sports field inventory, assess demand, and make recommendations based on supply and demand analyses, but this study process had an additional layer. Up until 2022, Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation was responsible for taking reservations and scheduling both parks and school district facilities. Post-2022, the department and school district no longer had that process in place; therefore, this study focused more intently on the department’s facilities.

HOW

To effectively and efficiently assess athletic field supply and demand in Lake Oswego, Zec Eight Insights collected and analyzed related planning documents such as previous Athletic Field Requirements Report drafts, Parks Plan 2040 public opinion and stakeholder engagement findings, and existing field inventories; collected and analyzed field reservation data for 2021-2024 to assess demand trends; assessed national and local recreation trends; and implemented a user survey to solicit direct feedback, opinion, and comments related to the athletic sports field provision in Lake Oswego.

What

The final Athletic Field Requirements Report provided 15 recommendations spanning across non-capital strategies for optimizing field use, policy and management, and capital improvement needs. Additionally, a suggested phasing/implementation protocol was created along with suggestions for process management considerations.

Reference
Kyra Haggart, Park Analyst/Park Manager
City of Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation
(503) 697-6576
khaggart@ci.oswego.or.us
PO Box 369
Lake Oswego, OR 97034