By Cameron Rasmusson
Reader Staff
The city is rolling out the next phase of its parks planning process by hiring contractor GreenPlay.
A Colorado-based company specializing in parks projects, GreenPlay will work with the city to develop a master plan encompassing a comprehensive vision for the system as a whole, as well as individual parks, open-space areas, trails, recreation facilities, amenities and programs.
“I was very happy and excited for the potential this will give our planning for our parks, recreation and trails,” Sandpoint Parks and Recreation Director Kim Woodruff told Sandpoint City Council members Wednesday night. “This is programming for 10-plus years.”
The city identified four priorities for the master plan officials envision: orderly and consistent planning; acquisitions; development; and administration of Sandpoint Parks and Recreation’s resources, programs and facilities. Beyond providing a comprehensive plan for the parks system, the master plan will also provide insight for a 20-year optimization plan, with a focus on strategies, financial forecast and scheduling through 2040.
The planning process will begin in April with a strategic kick-off, then unfold over several months with workshops and public engagement. The GreenPlay team will also conduct its own analysis and surveying, leading up to the development of a strategic action plan from August to October. In October and November, the team will develop a draft plan and then a final plan for the city to utilize.
After putting out a call for parks master plan proposals, the city received three qualifying responses from contractors. A selection committee conducted a complete evaluation of each proposal, ultimately recommending GreenPlay as the winning bidder for its team’s experience, proposal cost and project history.
“We’ve been reactionary for a long time, and I’ve been here a long time — over 30 years,” Woodruff told council members. “I’ve been wanting a plan like this for probably 25 (of those years,) so I’m really, really excited.”
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