BURLINGTON PARKS, RECREATION & WATERFRONT MASTER PLAN OCTOBER 2015 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Mayor Miro Weinberger Jesse Bridges, Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Director and Harbormaster Jen Francis, Parks Comprehensive Planner City of Burlington Community BPRW Staff BPRW Leadership & Innovation Team Jesse Bridges, Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Director and Harbormaster Melissa Cate, Recreation Facilities Manager Jen Francis, Parks Comprehensive Planner Erin Moreau, Waterfront Manager Deryk Roach, Superintendent of Park Operations & Maintenance Gary Rogers, Superintendent of Recreation BPRW Commission John Bossange Carolyn Hanson Fauna Hurley Nancy Kaplan, Chair Jeetan Khadka Special thanks to former Commissioners Steve Allen, John Ewing, Dave Hartnett, and Chris Pearson and to former Recreation Superintendent Maggie Leugers. Key leadership positions within Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront have been recently filled by fresh voices. The BPRW Master Plan takes advantage of this new perspective, aiming to create a unified voice for the multiple roles that parks fill in contemporary cities. At the same time, the plan builds on the integrity of past stewardship and integrates the exceptional work of staff in maintaining and programming our urban parks system. The expansive role of parks in Burlington’s urban environment is described in the following pages. This document was produced by the City of Burlington, Heller + Heller Consulting and Sasaki Associates. © 2015 City of Burlington. Parts of this publication may be reproduced. Please contact BPRW for permission prior to use. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. TABLE OF CONTENTS THE PLAN 6 Introduction 8 Informing the Process 10 Community Outreach 12 Peer Cities 14 System Themes 82 Strategic Initiatives THE BACK-UP 96 Framework for Action 98 Assessing the Parks System 102 Voices of the BTV Community 112 Demographics & Trends 120 Assessing Recreation Programs 134 Considering Operations 138 Spreading the Word From daily routines to special family occasions to our annual public festivals to once-in-a- lifetime community gatherings, Burlington’s parks host the events and activities that define our lives and our great City. During a period of growth, change and diversification, this Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Master Plan builds on the hard work of generations to establish a robust system of parks, public spaces, programs, and connections. It also acknowledges elements of the system that could be improved and showcases the renaissance underway in our treasured park system. -Mayor Miro Weinberger Change within the public realm presents myriad opportunities to build a healthier, more sustainable community. Establishing clear systems gives an organization the flexibility to be nimble when needed. This Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Master Plan lays out the recipe for organizational flexibility which goes hand-in-hand with the ability to innovate – made from design integrity that builds upon local identity, standards to ensure quality, and supportive leadership to maximize opportunities and successful outcomes. The BPRW Master Plan brings together community and staff vision for a collaborative approach to the continued revitalization of our exceptional parks, recreation and waterfront assets. -Director & Harbormaster Jesse Bridges THE PLAN This document provides an overarching structure to further evaluate INTRODUCTION programs, facilities, Creating a Shared Vision overall park infrastructure, & CONTEXT FOR THE PLAN system’s strong legacy and to create a fresh start that development. aligns with twenty first century goals and ambitions. This is not a Burlington, Vermont’s diverse system of parks, trails, With recent momentum around innovative city planning specific plan for open spaces, and recreation opportunities serve myriad any one area initiatives (planBTV: Downtown & Waterfront, Open roles for the City. Today, the waterfront parks serve as a of an extremely Space Protection Plan and South End) and a collective, diverse source of pride for residents, the community gardens as community appreciation for the richness of Burlington’s department, nor a gathering space for new members of the community, a plan for any parks, the BPRW Master Plan creates an achievable set specific park, and the urban wilds as a reminder of the City’s of actions to guide the parks system into the future. but rather a commitment to sustainability and environmental ethic. comprehensive The plan is intended to help the department efficiently guide to build maintain its assets, strive for sustainability, and set consistency, The 2015 Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront design aspirations to create better social spaces for standards, and Master Plan, the first comprehensive parks & sustainability Burlington’s role as the urban heart of the state. recreation plan for the department, seeks to honor across the entire system. and enhance the role of Burlington’s parks spaces and recreation programming within the City and the The BPRW Master Plan region. A collaborative and engaging process ensured serves as the hub that community input influenced the ultimate vision from which future, and recommendations. specialized plans The plan focuses on a set and initiatives of seven system themes further described in this will grow. report: People, Wellness, Connection, Stewardship, RIGHT Community, Service, and Impact. Word Cloud highlighting the The BPRW Master Plan is well positioned to create depth and reach of Burlington a lasting impact on the City and the department. Parks, Recreation The plan has been undertaken in a moment of new & Waterfront. leadership, recent planning achievements, and a strong potential for action and implementation. LEFT Treasured community asset: The department is poised at a moment of change sunset over Lake and transformation, seeking both to build on the park Champlain. 6 Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Master Plan 7 INFORMING THE PROCESS Building a Community-Driven Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Master Plan PROJECT TIME LINE OUTREACH BPRW has literally started This Parks & Recreation Master Plan is the first The most significant influence of plan development implementing comprehensive plan for Burlington Parks, Recreation & was the community outreach process. Methods this plan while in motion: refining Waterfront. The planning process began in May 2013. included an online mapping tool, a community bike standards, The Plan, which creates a clear direction for the future, ride, a household survey, and community-wide operational procedures, includes strategic plan components that are designed public workshops. Additional neighborhood-specific recreation to be updated every three to five years. outreach was conducted through staff presentations to programming, and Neighborhood Planning Assemblies (NPAs). capital program management - PROCESS while advancing Staff engagement with the plan was also critical to the the department’s The planning process began with an in-depth analysis development of the master plan and involved robust identity. Master of the City’s park system, including a comprehensive planning remains participation from City staff, key leaders, and the Mayor. an ongoing and inventory and assessment of park amenities. In concert Burlington staff members participated in a series of ever-evolving with this physical analysis, the team studied the existing tool. BPRW’s focus groups early in the process, and interviews with simultaneously framework of planning documents in place. Next, the community groups supplemented the feedback. aggressive action community was engaged by intensive public outreach, on the plan The resulting input critically influenced the design which yielded exceptionally high levels of participation. development and of this plan, helping to inform future programming, implementation The process concluded with multiple visioning sessions facility opportunities, partnership growth, and the has given a jump resulting in the final framework for this master plan. start to the identification of future challenges that BPRW faces. renewal of the parks system. RESEARCH OF ANALYSIS OF DRAFT EXISTING PLAN EXISTING SUPPLY & REPORT DEVELOPMENT, CONDITIONS PLANS & PUBLIC DEMAND, INVENTORY ENGAGEMENT VISIONING & REGIONAL DEMOGRAPHICS FINAL & ASSESSMENT IMPLEMENTATION CONTEXT & TRENDS REPORT 8 ABOVE The master plan team worked with BPRW staff to determine how the plan’s recommendations support and improve daily operations. RIGHT & TOP RIGHT In collaboration with the Mayor, BPRW, and the Burlington Bike Path Rehabilitation consultant team from VHB, the master plan team led a public “Path to Parks” ride to discuss the future design of the Bike Path and its integration and connection to major City parks. Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Master Plan 9 Mayor Miro Weinberger hosted multiple COMMUNITY OUTREACH community conversations on Gathering Input from Local Stakeholders & Residents the parks master planning effort FOCUS GROUPS over bagels and coffee during his During the community outreach process, a series of regular gathering of “Mornings focus groups specific to different aspects of the With Miro”. These multi-faceted department were held. More than fifty conversations local partners were invited to participate including provided spirited, informal non-profits, businesses, social service organizations, opportunities to educational institutions, transportation agencies, learn about the process and regional parks & planning