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.