What is a Master Plan?
The Master Plan for Lancaster’s Parks, Recreation & Arts will reflect the community vision for a livable, healthy, and exciting Lancaster by providing facilities and events to support recreation and cultural events. By building upon Lancaster’s existing natural, cultural, social and physical assets, the plan will provide a foundation for strategic actions that will shape Lancaster’s future parks, enhance recreation infrastructure and programming, and plan for a variety of artistic opportunities and events. Both public and private agencies will use the Master Plan for Lancaster’s Parks, Recreation & Arts as a benchmark for decisions that affect Lancaster’s future, providing a sound policy basis for citywide decision-making.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a master plan?
- Why is the Lancaster Department of Parks, Recreation and Arts developing a master plan?
- How is the Master Plan for Parks, Recreation and Arts developed?
- How will the Lancaster community be involved in the process?
- How will the master plan be implemented?
- How can I stay involved with the process?
- Who will conduct the planning process?
What is a master plan?
A master plan is a document developed to guide an organization for current and future planning. The components of the plan typically involve a mission statement, guiding principles or values, a planning framework and a set of strategies designed to meet the organization’s desired outcomes. Simply stated, the master plan is like a blueprint to guide future decisions, expansion and programming. The planning process involves looking at the current state of the organization, identifying potential challenges and opportunities and defining where the organization wants to be in the next 10, 15 or 20 years. Counties, cities, city departments, and private, public and non-profit organizations all develop master plans.
Why is the Lancaster Department of Parks, Recreation and Arts developing a master plan?
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Arts is developing a master plan to assess how current programs meet the needs of City residents and how the Department can best meet the needs of residents in the future. Lancaster will be growing over the next 15 years and the Department wants to ensure they are able to continue providing the current high quality level of programming offered to residents. Lancaster has a strong foundation of park facilities, recreational opportunities and cultural experiences. Using this foundation, the Department will develop a set of strategies and goals to continue to be successful now and in the future.
How is the Master Plan for Parks, Recreation and Arts developed?
Developing a master plan takes a number of steps to gather information and data to assist with developing strategies and identifying goals. Highlights of the major planning stages will include:
- Analyzing current and future demographics of the City
- Analyzing current park and recreation facilities, recreation classes and cultural arts opportunities
- Conducting a series of interviews and focus groups with local decision-makers and interest groups
- Conducting phone surveys
- Assessing how Lancaster compares to similar cities
- Involving the community through a variety of forums and opportunities
How will the Lancaster community be involved in the process?
The 2006 Lancaster Poppy Festival offered a prime opportunity to engage residents of all ages in the planning process. Through an interactive survey method residents were able to tell the department where they like to play and what recreational and cultural facilities and opportunities were most important to them. Children and youth were able to share information through drawings and recorded interviews. All of the information gathered will be used to inform and create the master plan.
Additional community involvement will include:
- City and stakeholder interviews
- Focus Groups for: Youth, Sports Groups and Cultural Arts Groups
- Telephone survey
- City Council presentations
- Comments and feedback from this website
How will the master plan be implemented?
The Master Plan for Parks, Recreation and Arts will be implemented over the next 10 to 15 years. The Department will be looking at how to build and expand on the foundation of existing facilities and services. Future planning and programming will be geared towards meeting the needs, interests and desires of the community.
How can I stay involved with the process?
Information and related documents will be posted on this website throughout the planning process. You will see a sidebar on the right side of the home page where you can sign up for email notifications to alert you when new information has been posted. Please sign up so that we can keep you part of the process!
Who will conduct the planning process?
Lancaster’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Arts is taking the lead on the master plan. The City has hired a consultant team, Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc. (MIG), to assist with the public involvement, research and preparation of the master plan document. MIG will help the Department take an objective, critical look at its programs, facilities and organizational structure.
