DISCUSSION
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: April 3, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Charles A. Montoya, City Manager;
Lydie Gutfeld, Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Services
Department: Parks & Recreation & Community Services
Subject: City of San Bernardino Parks Master Plan Update Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, receive and file the oral report on the Parks Master Plan Update.
Executive Summary
In today’s presentation from Neelay Bhatt, CEO of Next Practice Partners, the Mayor and City Council along with the public viewing community will view the results of the Community Sessions, the Online Survey and the Statistically Valid Survey, which was sent to 10,000 random households throughout the city.
Background
The Parks and Recreation Master Plan was initiated in January 2023. Upon Council approval, staff began their work with Next Practice Partners, LLC to develop a staff plan that would work to educate and engage the 27 fulltime and numerous part-time staff that would be connecting with the community throughout the 18-month process.
In April, the team and Next Practice hosted a kickoff meeting and numerous Community Listening Sessions located in various areas throughout the city. Two of these Community Listening Sessions were hosted at the Feldhym Library where translations services were offered in Spanish with audio equipment and translators on site and American Sign Language via Zoom.
The progress made in implementing the Parks and Recreation Master Plan is evident in various initiatives and projects undertaken over the past year. One significant achievement is the launch of the dedicated website www.mysbparks.com, which serves as a central hub for information, updates, and community engagement related to the Master Plan. The website is designed to be user-friendly, providing residents and stakeholders with easy access to relevant information about ongoing projects, upcoming events, and opportunities for public input.
Discussion
The Parks and Recreation Master Plan will serve as a comprehensive framework to guide the development, enhancement, and management of our city's parks and recreational facilities. This visionary document will be crafted from data collected through an extensive community engagement process, incorporating input from residents, stakeholders, and experts in the field. The plan looks to outline strategic goals, objectives, and action items to ensure the delivery of high-quality parks and recreational services that meet the evolving needs of our diverse community.
Public input continues to be a vital component of the ongoing progress, and Next Practice has conducted regular community forums, surveys, and public hearings to gather feedback on the Master Plan's implementation. The input received has been instrumental in refining strategies and ensuring that the Parks and Recreation initiatives align with the community's evolving needs and expectations.
In today’s presentation from Neelay Bhatt, CEO of Next Practice Partners, the Mayor and City Council along with the public viewing community will view the results of the Community Sessions, the Online Survey and the Statistically Valid Survey, which was sent to 10,000 random households throughout the city. Each survey and their result is posted on the website for the public to review.
Future plans include developing a comprehensive level of service assessment of all park types and recreation amenities, developing GIS based equity maps showing gaps and overlaps in the service areas and capital improvement plans leading to final action and implementation plan. Through continued collaboration with our community, we aim to create vibrant and inclusive parks and recreational spaces that contribute to the overall well-being and happiness of our residents.
2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
The authorization of the agreement to implement the Master Plan aligns with Key Target No.3: Improved Quality of Life. The completion of the plan will improve park assets by developing a plan with recommendations for future improvements and a prioritized CIP listing to meet the needs of the community.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact for this report.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, receive and file the oral report on the Parks Master Plan Update.
Attachments
Attachment 1 - Council update 3.7.24
Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
On January 18, 2023, the Mayor and City Council approved Resolution No. 2023-018 to approve the award of Professional Services Agreement with Next Practice Partners, LLC to prepare the City of San Bernardino Parks Master Plan.