This playground at Ryder Park is among features available through the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND – Grand Island’s City Council heard a presentation about the Parks and Recreation Department’s master plan on April 29.
Todd McCoy, Parks and Recreation Department Director, said the master plan will be returned to the agenda at a future meeting for formal adoption by the City Council.
McCoy said that when he is working on budgets and grant applications, he will refer to the master plan.
“We’ll keep it in front of us when we plan our budget,” McCoy said.
The master plan is for a 10- to 15-year period. Two items included in the master plan are construction of a recreation center and an indoor aquatic center.
McCoy said that there was a good process followed in creation of the master plan.
“We had a lot of public input. I’m very pleased with the plan we have,” McCoy said.
Caitlin Bolte with Confluence gave a presentation April 29 about the master plan.
Bolte outlined strengths of existing parks. Hall of neighborhood parks have shelters. The parks are regularly maintained. Pickleball courts are concentrated, providing a popular recreational activity. Successful third-part concessions operators are in place at specialty facilities.
Areas for improvement include more shade and trees are needed throughout parks. Neighborhood parks lack sufficient restrooms. Only two parks have them. Playgrounds, shelters, and restrooms need updates. Facilities for less popular sports, such as volleyball, basketball, and tennis, are in the poorest condition. There is a lack of mid- to large-shelters throughout the parks system. The Webb Road complex lacks lighting and restrooms. The Community Fieldhouse is only a seasonal facility.
The study said that an indoor facility that will provide space for pickleball, tennis, an indoor pool, and an indoor fitness center with classes for all ages is needed. More connected bike and walking trail connections are needed throughout the city.
There is a major demand for better ballfield rental affordability for club play. There is high potential for hosting more tournaments and practices in Grand Island. There is a large demand to resurface and improve pickleball courts and to provide lighted playfields for sports such as soccer and baseball. More opportunities for water activities and gathering spaces are needed. There is a desire for more native park areas and natural trails throughout the system. Planting more trees and native plants is suggested.
Core program recommendations are to provide non-athletic programs for youth and adults and programs for active adults and seniors. The Parks Department should consider providing childcare services and teen programming. A secure indoor aquatic venue is needed, as well as a multi-generational community center.
Island Oasis is the largest revenue generator of all divisions. Heartland Public Shooting Park is second in total revenue generation. The fieldhouse has the highest average cost recovery, followed by the Stolley Park railway and Lincoln Park pool.
Funding strategies include corporate sponsorships, advertising sales, tax incremental financing, and a transient tax. Establishment of a foundation is suggested. Offering naming rights and lease of development rights was suggested. Establishing a partnership with a non-profit conservancy or friends group was suggested.
Financial goals are to increase the financial resources supporting parks operations and maintenance to better meet community needs and maintain infrastructure. The financial performance of key cost centers needs to be improved. Partnerships need to be created and continued to leverage assets. Ballfield affordability can be maintained by prioritizing the community first.
Parks and facility goals are to provide a multi-generational indoor community facility. Mini-parks need to be transformed into more valuable and ecologically sensitive public spaces. The trail network needs to be connected to parks and city destinations. A connection to nature needs to be enhanced. Accessibility and use of ballfields needs to be increased. Parks facilities need to be expanded and improved.
