GOLDSBORO, N.C. — The City’s Parks and Recreation Department is making significant progress on updating its comprehensive master plan, the first such update since 2012, according to Director Felicia Brown.
The City Council approved funding for the master plan update during the FY 25 budget process. The comprehensive plan will assess all park and recreation facilities and amenities within the city’s park system and provide recommendations for the next 5 to 10 years.
Phase 1 Accomplishments
Working in partnership with McGill Associates, a consulting firm specializing in parks and recreation planning, the department has completed Phase 1 of the two-phase initiative. Key accomplishments include:
The team conducted a comprehensive inventory of parks and facilities while reviewing population data and land use forecasts. Two meetings were held with planning staff and GIS personnel to determine limiting factors for program development.
Public engagement formed a crucial component of Phase 1, with scheduled public input meetings and an online survey to gather community feedback. The department also identified potential partnerships with private organizations and non-profits that the municipality could collaborate with in the future.
Data from surveys and meetings has been compiled and analyzed, with regular updates provided to the Recreation Advisory Commission (RAC), which serves as the steering committee for the project. Meetings with council members are currently being scheduled.
Phase 2 Focus Areas
The FY 26 budget will fund Phase 2 of the master plan, which will focus on implementation strategies and long-term planning. This phase will include recommendations for improving park maintenance, identifying growth trends related to future parks and recreation programming, and developing programming and funding strategies.
A critical component of Phase 2 involves formulating a 10-year capital improvement plan and addressing future funding opportunities to support plan implementation. The consulting team will also evaluate current staffing levels and recommend appropriate staffing for future needs.
Timeline for Completion
Following Phase 2 completion, a draft plan will be submitted to city staff for review and comment. Once staff review is complete, the draft will be presented to the City Council for approval and adoption.
Brown expects the plan to be completed before the end of this calendar year. However, she noted that if any severe weather events or other disasters cause delays, the plan will be brought back to the City Council for approval and adoption no later than November.
The updated master plan represents the city’s commitment to strategic parks and recreation planning and will serve as a roadmap for enhancing recreational opportunities for residents over the next decade.
