COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Alex Posada, Recreation and Parks Director
DATE: October 21, 2025
SUBJECT: 2025 Leisure Needs and Public Art Five-Year Master Plan
Description:
The City Council will receive a presentation on the results of the 2025 Leisure Needs Assessment and Public Art Master Plan. This document will serve as a reference for future leisure and arts planning efforts by the City. After the presentation this document will be filed.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Santa Maria hired the firm of BerryDunn, a nationally recognized consulting firm, to prepare a Leisure Needs Assessment and Public Art Plan. This effort was undertaken to assess the City’s current recreation and leisure services sy stem, identify community priorities, and develop a five -year strategic roadmap for enhancing facilities, programs, and public art integration. The project was led by Art Thatcher of BerryDunn, who brings over 40 years of experience and has completed more t han 120 parks and recreation consulting projects, including prior work with the City.
The planning process included a comprehensive review of facilities, programs, and operations; a robust community engagement effort; and analysis of demographics, trends, and local conditions. The resulting plan provides actionable strategies to guide future decision-making and investment.
The Recreation and Parks Commission reviewed and accepted the final Leisure Needs Assessment and Public Art Plan on June 10, 2025, and recommends that the City Council receive and file the document for use in future planning efforts.
DISCUSSION:
BerryDunn’s team worked closely with City staff and the community to produce a comprehensive and equity -based plan. The final Plan is designed to guide decision - making related to recreation programming, facility improvements, and integration of public art over the next five years.
2 Key components of the process included:
Collaborative Engagement – Through surveys, workshops, and pop -up events, community members helped shape the plan’s priorities, with a focus on inclusivity and long-term impact.
Tailored Strategy Development – BerryDunn customized their scope and approach to reflect the City’s values and aspirations, recognizing the critical ro le recreation and public art play in community well-being. Creative Planning Framework – The plan includes illustrated concepts, demographic analyses, public art siting strategies, and program recommendations to meet the diverse needs of Santa Maria’s residents.
Consultant Expertise – BerryDunn’s culture of client service, coupled with extensive municipal parks and recreation experience, ensured that the Plan was both visionary and implementable.
The final Leisure Needs Assessment and Public Art Plan offers:
A current system assessment and gap analysis
Strategic direction for expanding recreation programming and public art throughout the community
Measurable goals and performance indicators
Alternative(s)
The City Council may choose to receive and file the Leisure Needs Assessment and Public Art Plan. Doing so will allow the city to use the Plan as a reference document to guide future planning, programming, capital improvement efforts, and funding strategies.
Alternatively, the Council may direct staff to work with the consultant to revise specific portions of the Plan to better reflect Council priorities or address additional data or input.
A third option would be for the Council to take no action at this time.
Acknowledging the Plan at this time gives staff the direction to use the Plan as a guide in developing future recreation services and public art integration.
Fiscal Considerations
There is no immediate fiscal impact. The Plan serves as a guiding, non-binding document that will support future program offerings, special events, public art, capital improvement planning, grant funding applications, and policy decisions.
Impact on the Community
The Leisure Needs Assessment and Public Art Plan directly supports the health, well - being, and cultural identity of the Santa Maria community. By identifying gaps in recreation access and proposing equitable facility and program enhancements, the Plan 3 ensures that all residents —regardless of age, ability, or neighborhood —have opportunities for play, wellness, connection, and creative expression. It also introduces a long-term vision for i ntegrating public art into community spaces, reinforcing civic pride and cultural representation. The Plan serves as a foundation for inclusive growth and improved quality of life, guiding how the City can invest in amenities that reflect the evolving needs and values of its residents.
ATTACHMENT(S)
A. 2025 Leisure Needs Assessment and Public Art Plan