Strategic Plan2018-28
About Blue Springs Parks & Recreation
The City of Blue Springs, Missouri Parks & Recreation Department has more than 800 acres of parkland (developed and undeveloped) with 14 public parks and over 14 miles of trails. It strives to create outstanding recreational, cultural and natural experiences to enrich and enhance the quality of life for the community today and for future generations.
Blue Springs Parks & Recreation provides comprehensive year-round sports and recreation programs for all ages, and operates and maintains the Blue Springs Fieldhouse, offering a wealth of activities, including a fitness center, basketball courts, field turf, fitness classes, pickleball and more. The department also manages Vesper Hall, a nationally accredited Senior Center that offers a variety of activities for individuals ages 50 and older. The facilities also hosts many Parks & Recreation classes open to all ages and community events.
The Fieldhouse is approximately seven years old and will soon undergo a facelift with new siding and the addition of an indoor/outdoor waterpark that will take approximately 18 months to complete. The waterpark is scheduled to be completed by Spring of 2024. Planning and design occurred throughout 2022 with construction beginning in November 2022.
Also a part of the department is Adams Pointe Golf Club, an 18-hole public course designed by noted local architect Don Sechrest. It is one of only a handful of ADA compliant golf facilities in the country. Adams Pointe is managed by Orion Management.
Blue Springs Parks & Recreation has been a proud recipient of the annual “Tree City USA” award since 1990. Established by the National Arbor Day Foundation, this honor recognizes select communities for their support of municipal tree betterment programs and projects.
Our Mission
Recognized as an indispensable community asset that creates a healthy, livable and sustainable community through enhanced quality of life for residents and visitors while generating economic vitality.
Our Vision
Creating outstanding recreational, cultural and natural experiences to enrich and enhance the quality of life for our community today and for future generations.
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Strategic Plan Introduction
The Blue Springs Parks & Recreation Department Strategic Plan for residents, City Council, Park Commission, City Administration and Park Department employees provides an opportunity to become familiar with where the organization is now, where it would like to be in five years and into the future. It provides a road map to attain desired success that meets the needs of the community.
This plan is the product of several processes, all of which required stakeholder feedback. The primary source of direction came from the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan implemented in 2018. The Blue Springs Strategic Vision, City Council Strategic Plan, the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Parks Dedicated ½-cent Sales Tax and the Citizens Survey provided integral input into the strategic planning process. These documents incorporated industry trends, community needs and citizen input through surveys, focus groups and staff interaction with customers. The department’s Five Year Capital Improvement Plan serves as the annual submission of funding requests to implement elements of the strategic plan.
The Vision of the Blue Springs Strategic Plan is for Blue Springs to be a thriving, prosperous community on the move with vibrant, connected places filled with innovative and involved people of all ages. For the Parks & Recreation Department to embrace the Vision laid out by City Council and residents, the development of this strategic plan focuses on the following pillars:
1. Build on the success of previous plans and community input.
2. Incorporate data from the 2018 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan.
3. Focus on meeting the diverse needs of the community through innovative, family based recreational programs.
4. Improve the overall quality of park facilities while expanding opportunities throughout the community.
5. Provide a means to generate economic vitality for the community through programs and unique innovative facilities.
The Blue Springs Parks & Recreation Strategic Plan is challenging and achievable through dedication and employee engagement with citizens and City leaders. It will require staff to be good stewards with financial resources, productive in our work and exceptional management of resources. The plan is dynamic yet flexible to adjust to new circumstances as they arise to continually meet the needs of the community. While this is a plan, it must be flexible to meet new challenges and residents’ wishes, should that be necessary.
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