The Tyler Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a series of public meetings to gain community input into the development of a new 10-year master plan for the Tyler parks system.
For the plan to reflect the needs of the citizens of Tyler, the Parks and Recreation Department is hosting public meetings in four parts of the City to discuss ideas, needs and visions for the parks, recreation and open space system in Tyler. The meetings will be held:
· Jan. 25; 6:30 p.m. Multi-purpose Room Glass Recreation Center, 501 West 32nd Street;
· Jan. 26; 6:30 p.m. Rose Garden, Rose Room, 420 South Rose Park Drive;
· Feb. 1; 6:30 p.m. Jack Elementary Cafeteria, 1900 Balsam Gap Lane; and,
· Feb. 2; 2010 6:30 p.m. UT Tyler Library Conference Room.
“I am delighted that we are taking this step toward the creation of a new parks master plan,” said Mayor Barbara Bass. “It has been more than 10 years since the City’s current parks master plan was created; the City has grown and we need a plan that reflects our current and future parks needs.”
In 2009, the Tyler City Council awarded a contract for the Parks and Recreation and Open Space Master Plan to local consultant, MHS Planning and Design. The new parks 10-year master plan will replace the current plan that was created in 1998.
The need for an updated parks master plan was identified in the Parks, Open Space, Recreation and Lakes portion of the Tyler 21 Plan. Funds for the creation of the plan were included in the fiscal year 2008-2009 budget. The goal of the new parks master plan will be to help guide the City toward completing the objectives laid out in the Tyler 21 Plan.
“The new plan will play an important role in moving forward the vision for parks outlined in the Tyler 21 Plan,” said Mayor Pro Tem Donald Sanders. “I am pleased that we are taking the next step.”
An updated parks master plan will also play an essential role in obtaining both state and federal grants for parks. Because of its age, the City’s current parks master plan is no longer considered valid as a tool for applying for grants and the City is ineligible for these funds.
The City received proposals for the parks master plan from seven consultants. In July, the Parks Board selected MHS Planning and Design as the most qualified for the job and the City accepted their proposal.
For more information on the Parks and Recreation Department or the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan 2010-2020, please visit www.TylerParksandRec.com.
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