Improve Access to Parks and Open Space – CONNECT Our Future

Why Is This a Priority?

Residents said that access to parks, greenways, nature preserve, recreational fields, open space, and other natural amenities are important to their health and overall quality of life. Planning for parks and open spaces near existing or future population centers will provide residents with more opportunities for recreation closer to home.

How Do We Get There?

Partner with local government to promote development that includes equitable distribution of schools, shopping, parks, grocery stores, and other amenities.
Create a mechanism for identifying how planning efforts may affect the health and well-being of racial and ethnic minorities, who disproportionately exhibit poorer health status and outcomes in the region.

What Can Residents Do?

Join a “Friends of” the park group
Communicate issues and ideas to improve parks by speaking to your local parks and recreation department
Support funding for parks
Form a walking or biking group and use your local parks and trails!

Walking and Bicycle Audits and Planning

Rural Transportation

Green Infrastructure

Midtown Crossing at Turner's Point

Creative Public Finance

Public Engagement Tools and Techniques

Regional GIS Data Center

Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Tree Canopy Preservation

Hazard Mitigation Planning and Implementation

Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED)

Regional Cooperation

Land Trusts

Park and Greenway Access

Doug Butchy

Shared Use Public Facilities and Services

Parks Promotion Campaigns

Health Impact Assessments

Safe Routes to School

GIS Community Assessment

Conservation Development

Land Use Modeling

Active Living

Preserving and Building Parks

Transportation Corridor Preservation

Public Private Partnerships

Wayfinding for Trails and Transit (Active Wayfinding)