SUBJECT:
Title
A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Erie Approving the 2025 Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails (PROST) Playbook
Department
DEPARTMENT: Parks & Recreation
Presenter
PRESENTER(S): Luke Bolinger, Director of Parks & Recreation
Michelle Regan, Senior Associate, DTJ Design
end
Keith Walzak, Director of Urban Design & Planning, DTJ Design
Time
TIME ESTIMATE: 60 minutes
end
Fiscal
FISCAL SUMMARY:
N/A
Policy
POLICY ISSUES:
The 2025 Playbook provides an updated strategic framework to guide equitable, sustainable, and connected development of Erie's parks, recreation, open space, and trails system. It replaces the outdated 2016 Plan to better reflect the Town’s rapid growth, shifting demographics, and evolving community priorities.
Recommendation
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt the 2025 Parks, Recreation, Open Space, & Trails (PROST) Playbook
Body
SUMMARY/KEY POINTS
• The 2025 Connecting YOU to Fun Playbook is presented for Council adoption as the Town’s updated Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails (PROST) strategic plan.
• This plan replaces the 2016 version and incorporates updated data, community input, and future growth projections to guide investments over the next 10 years.
• Since Council last reviewed this item, the plan has been finalized following extensive public engagement, a needs assessment, and alignment with other adopted Town plans.
BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
Over the past nine years, the Town of Erie has experienced significant growth, both in population and in expectations for its parks and recreation services. While the 2016 PROST Plan laid a strong foundation for system expansion, it no longer reflects the Town’s current demographics, community values, or operational realities.
Recognizing this need, the department launched a comprehensive planning process in 2024 with DTJ Design to reimagine and recalibrate our direction. Branded as the Connecting YOU to Fun Playbook, this effort represents a complete overhaul of the Town’s strategic approach to parks and recreation. The final plan provides clear, actionable guidance for capital planning, land acquisition, programming, staffing, operations, and funding strategies, grounded in robust community input and data analysis.
The scope of services spanned four phases over a nine-month period, which began in November of 2024. In phase one, DTJ Design established a Project Work Plan (PWP), conducted a kick-off meeting, toured the study area, and developed a Community Engagement Plan (CEP). In phase two, DTJ Design collected data, performed a needs assessment, and engaged the community through stakeholder interviews, focus groups, and open house events. They assessed current parks, facilities, and programs, identified gaps, and prioritized needs. In phase three, DTJ Design finalized the needs assessment report, drafted plan recommendations and maps, and developed an implementation strategy. Each phase included regular project management, reporting, and meetings to ensure steady progress and stakeholder involvement.
This effort aligns with, and builds upon, several key Town plans, including:
• 2016 Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails (PROST) Strategic Master Plan
• 2019 Erie Trails and Open Space Wayfinding Master Plan
• 2024 Erie Economic Market Analysis
• 2024 Erie Public Art and Placemaking Plan
• 2024 Parks and Recreation Community Survey
• 2024 Town of Erie Comprehensive Plan
• 2025 Performing Arts Center Feasibility Study
Through a comprehensive series of engagement events and activities, including stakeholder interviews, focus group meetings, a community questionnaire, online mapping, a community open house event, and other public engagement events, residents and stakeholders voiced their priorities, concerns, and aspirations for the future of the community’s recreation, parks, and natural resources. The plan included measurable strategies, aligning with Best Management Practices and the standards established by the National Recreation and Park Association’s (NRPA) Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA).
The 2025 Playbook outlines five strategic focus areas to guide staff efforts and resource allocation:
• Advance equity in access to parks, programs, and facilities by removing physical, financial, and cultural barriers.
• Preserve and steward open space to protect natural resources, provide habitat, and maintain scenic character.
• Expand trail and greenway connectivity, ensuring safe, seamless, and enjoyable active transportation across the community.
• Celebrate community identity and wellness through high-quality programming, events, and cultural offerings that bring residents together.
• Strengthen long-term financial sustainability by aligning capital investments with staffing, operations, and funding capacity.
Each focus area is supported by specific strategies, priorities, and implementation actions, which are phased over short-, mid-, and long-term timelines.
Adopting the 2025 Connecting YOU to Fun Playbook ensures that future decisions align with community values, operational capacity, and long-term vision. The Playbook will serve as the Department’s guide for budget planning, project prioritization, policy development, and performance measurement. Staff will regularly revisit the plan to monitor progress, report on outcomes, and adapt as needed.
We appreciate Council’s continued support and look forward to implementing this bold, community-driven vision.
priorities
TOWN COUNCIL PRIORITY(S) ADDRESSED:
☒ Attractive Community Amenities
☒ Engaged and Diverse Community
☒ Prosperous Economy
☐ Well-Maintained Transportation Infrastructure
☒ Small Town Feel
☒ Safe and Healthy Community
☒ Effective Governance
☒ Environmentally Sustainable
☒ Fiscally Responsible
attachments
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Resolution
2. 2025 Erie Parks & Recreation PROST Strategic Plan
3. Appendix A: Needs Assessment Report
4. Appendix B: PROST Maps
5. Presentation