What is the Master Plan
The Guilford County Parks, Trails, and Open Space Comprehensive Master Plan is a visionary blueprint that will shape the recreational landscape of our community for the next decade. This comprehensive plan will be a collective vision for immediate, short-term, and long-range recreational needs and interests, providing a roadmap for the future.
The plan prioritizes identifying comprehensive connections to high-quality parks, trails, and open spaces, ensuring that every corner of our community has access to enriching recreational opportunities. It will take into consideration a diverse array of recreational interests, including trails, athletic fields, aquatic centers, camping, fishing, and much more.
This initiative isn't just about creating a plan; it explores collaborative opportunities to enhance the overall impact, bringing together stakeholders to collectively contribute to the vision. The plan serves as a tool to unify regional planning efforts, pinpoint potential partners and funding strategies, foster collaboration, and ensure a well-rounded approach to community recreation.
Join the Parks Department in this exciting journey towards a more connected, informed, and accessible recreational landscape. The Guilford County Parks, Trails, and Open Space Comprehensive Master Plan—an opportunity to shape the future of our community's recreational legacy.
Master Plan Update
In 2023, the Parks Department launched a community engagement initiative to shape the master plan. The community had the first opportunity to provide input at the Fall Fest at Bur-Mil Park.
Throughout 2024, community members were able engage with the Parks Department through a series of workshops, online surveys, stakeholder consultations, and social media. Community input is the cornerstone of the master plan process.
Past Engagement Sessions:
- Bur-Mil Park Fall Fest, Greensboro
- Peeler Recreation Center, Greensboro
- High Point Public Library, High Point
- Guilford County Department of Social Services, Greensboro
- Greensboro Coliseum Complex, Greensboro
- High Point University, High Point
- Guilford County Department of Social Services, Greensboro
- Northeast Park, Gibsonville
Timeline
A consultant team was selected at the end of the summer 2023. The project kicked off in the fall and will take approximately 14 months to complete. The initial phase, Inventory and Analysis, focuses on data collection, review of relevant planning documents, and an assessment of existing parks, trails and a recreation resources. The plan’s Needs Assessment is driven by findings from the analysis and community feedback. After that, the Vision phase will result in high-level vision and goals that guide the development of the plan’s recommendations The Action Plan phase, will include recommendations to address any identified gaps, meet future needs, support community and project goals, and increase the environmental, social, and economic benefits of the system.
Project Process
The process consists of four steps: inventory analysis, visioning, recommendations, and action and implementation. The visual below describes the process.
