Kansas City, MissouriComprehensive

Parks, Recreation and BoulevardsMaster Plan

Introduction

TheimplementationofthisComprehensive Parks,

Recreation and Boulevards Master Plan in the first

decade of the 21st century presents a number of

serious challenges and intriguing opportunities. The

DepartmentofParks,RecreationandBoulevardshas

facedobstaclesoverthelastseveralyearsasbudget

cutshavereducedrevenuesbyseveralmilliondollars

annually.Thisdecreaseinfundshastakenatollonthe

quantityofrecreationprogramsandservicesprovided

bytheDepartment.Additionalopportunitiesforfunding

areavailablebutdependon theDepartment’sability

to raise awareness of limited resources and engage

electedofficials,Citystaffandthecommunity.

In order to move forward with this Master Plan,

theDepartmentwillstrivetoachievethestatedgoals

andmakeall decisionsusing the visionandmission

statements as a guide. The goals presented in this

comprehensive plan overview are intended to be

forwardlooking,balanceresourceswithresponsibilities

andmaintaintheDepartment’spositionasakeyplayer

inthegrowthanddevelopmentofthecommunity.

MarkMcHenry,Director

Kansas City, MissouriComprehensive

Parks, Recreation and BoulevardsMaster Plan

•AddressgovernanceoftheDepartmentofParks,RecreationandBoulevards

•Acknowledgestaffcontributions

•Modifythefinancialmanagementsystem

•Recognizetheimportanceandvalueofpartnerships

•DeterminetheDepartment’sroleinthedeliveryofprogramsandservices

•Createanewmodelforparkacquisitionsanddevelopment

•Recognizetheimportanceofneighborhoodsinthecommunity

•Recognizetheimportanceoftheparksystemtothearea,regional,nationaland

internationalcommunity

•Increaseannualoperatingandcapitalfunds

•Identifyspecificparksystemimprovementsandnewprojects

•Assignstaffandfundingnecessarytoimplementkeyelementsoftheplan

•Identifyandaddresstheuniquenessofeachneighborhood’sneeds

•Createnewparklandandrecreationfacilitystandards

•Extendandexpandtheparkwayandboulevardsystem

•Identifymeasurestoensuretheplanisproperlyimplemented

Our GoalsThe Kansas City, Missouri Department of Parks, Recreation and Boulevard’s mission, vision and goals define

our commitment to providing quality services to the community.

Toimprovethequalityoflifebyprovidingrecreational,

leisureandaestheticopportunitiesforallcitizens,

andbyconservingandenhancingtheenvironment.

Wewillaccomplishthismissionbyprovidingquality

programming,makingthebestuseofexistingresources,

developingasupportiveandinfluentialconstituency,

pursuingeffectivecollaborationandpartnerships,and

acquiringandpreservingnaturalfeatures.

TheCityofKansasCity,Missouriaspirestobe

acommunitywhichcontinuesitslongandrich

historywithintheParks,RecreationandBoulevards

professionasalocal,regional,nationaland

internationalleader.Boostedbytheimplications

inthisMaster Plan,thevalue,neededupgrades

andnewfacilitieswillberecognizedbycommunity

leadersastheyunitetoseektherequired

resourcesforthetrailsandgreenways,parkways

andboulevards,fountains,parksandparkfacilities.

Our Mission OurVision

Goal:

TheDepartmentofParks,RecreationandBoulevardswilldefinetheimportanceofleadership

anddevelopunityofpurposewithintheDepartment,creatinganenvironmentinwhichstaffcan

excel.

What we will do:

•CoordinatetheformaladoptionoftheComprehensive Parks, Recreation and Boulevards

Master PlanbytheBoardofParks,RecreationandBoulevardsCommissioners.

•UsetheMaster Plantodevelopimplementationpolicy.

•DevelopperformancemeasurestoevaluateimplementationoftheMaster Plan.

•RequirenewBoardmemberorientationandanannualreviewoftheBoard’sroleasthe

governingbodyoftheDepartment.

•RequiretheBoardtomeetannuallywiththeMayortodiscussthecapabilityofthe

DepartmenttosupporttheMayor’sagenda.

•MeetregularlywiththePublicImprovementAdvisory

Commission(PIAC)andCityCounciltodiscuss

mattersofmutualimportance.

AddressGovernanceof the Department ofParks, Recreation and Boulevards

Goal:

TheDepartmentofParks,RecreationandBoulevardswillimprovetheprofessional

trainingavailable,describejobresponsibilitiesandanticipatedperformance,and

recognizestaffthatcontributeaboveandbeyondassignedduties.

What we will do:

•Provideeachstaffmemberaminimumofonetrainingsessioneachyear.

•Developaperformanceevaluationsystemthatcomplementsandenhancesthe

existingappraisalevaluationsystemthatincorporatesdepartmentalvisionand

performancemeasures.

•Recognizeexceptionalperformanceinatimelymanner.

Acknowledge Staff Contributions

Goal:

TheDepartmentofParks,RecreationandBoulevardswillimprovethe

financialstatusoftheDepartmentandmaintainandimprovefacilitiesand

servicesthroughouttheparksystem.

What we will do:

•Increasetheoperationandmaintenancebudgetsasadditionalcapital

facilitiesaredeveloped.

•Reviewmaintenancebudgetstoassurethereisadequatefundingtomaintainandrepairexisting

structures.

•Establishadedicatedfundingsourcetosupportlongrangeplanningforprogramsandservices.

•Continueapricingpolicythatsetsandupdatesuserfeesandchargesbasedonestablished

recoverylevels.

•Provideanexpenditurebudgetatthefacility/servicearealevel.

•Performacostrecoveryanalysisforeachprogramandservice.

•Createanewbudgetformatthatwillbeusedoverthenextseveralyearstocompare

performanceandbudgetdata.

•PursuenewcapitalprojectsonlyiftheDepartmentisabletoretainadditionalfundstomaintain

qualityprogramsandfacilities.

•Developperformancemeasuresandpoliciestofacilitatemorebeneficialpartnerships.

•Re-definecoreparkandrecreationservices.

•Evaluatecurrentoperatingcostsagainstprivatebusinessesonacontinuousbasis.

•Preparearevenueandexpenditureassessmentfornewfacilitiesandprogramstoaddressthe

abilitytofundadditionalprograms,servicesandfacilities.

Modify the Financial Management System

(The Department of Parks, Recreation and Boulevards serves as a catalyst to facilitate

partnerships within the community to maximize gains in neighborhood services)

Goal:

TheDepartmentofParks,RecreationandBoulevardswillbuildrelationshipswith

partners.TheDepartmentrecognizestheimportanceofpartnershipsandthevalueof

the592,000hoursoftimetheydonateeachyear.

What we will do:

•Continueanongoingdialogueforparksystemimprovementsandrecreation

programplanning.

•Holdannualmeetingswithcurrentandfuturepartnerstodiscussopportunitiesand

identifythevalueaddedthathasbeenachieved.

•Formalizepartnershipswithwrittenagreements.

Recognize the Importance and Value of Partnerships

Determine the Department’s role in the Delivery of Programs and Services

Goal:

TheDepartmentofParks,RecreationandBoulevardswilldeterminethe

mostappropriaterole(directprovider,facilitatororoutreach)itshouldtake

todeliverprogramsandservicestothecommunity,stepsthatshouldbetakento

efficientlyandeffectivelymanageitsrecreationcenters,andperformancecriteriato

beusedtoevaluatetherecreationprogram.

What we will do:

•Meetannuallywithotherproviderstodiscusstherolethateachshouldassumeas

programsandservicesarebeingplanned.

•Re-evaluatethemanagementandprogrammingofrecreationcenters.

•Establishprogrammeasuresandconductusersurveystoassistinprogram

evaluation.

•MeetannuallytoreviewtheDepartment’s

roleinprovidingprogramsandservices

tothecommunity;e.g.directprovider,

facilitatororinanoutreachcapacity.

•RecreationCenterDirectorswilldevelopa

communicationsplantobesharedwiththe

DirectorandtheBoard.

Goal:

TheDepartmentofParks,RecreationandBoulevardswilldevelop

anewmodelthatincorporatesnewlandacquisitionstrategies,

recognizesthecurrentuseofparkland,andrecognizesthe

connectionbetweenparkdevelopmentandconservationplanning.

What we will do:

•Adoptprinciples,opportunitiesandbenefitsofConservation

Planning.

•IntegrateconservationplanningwiththeCity’supdateoftheZoningand

SubdivisionRegulationsandstormwaterinitiatives.

•Adoptandimplementthe2017 Park System Plan,whichincludes244miles

oftrailsandgreenways.

•Reassessthecurrentinventoryofparklandsand

identifypropertiesthatmaybeconsideredfor

surplusbecausetheydonotmeetupdatedland

acquisitioncriteria.

Create a New Model for Park Acquisition and Development

(Neighborhood parks are recognized as the primary interface with citizens and a priority

component of the park and boulevard system.)

Goal:

TheDepartmentofParks,RecreationandBoulevardswillprovideprogramsandservicesthat

meettheneedsofthepeopleandneighborhoodsthatliveadjacenttoneighborhoodparks.

What we will do:

•Developneighborhoodparkstomeettheneedsofsurroundingneighborhoods.

•Programrecreationcenterstoaddresskeyissuesaffectingsurroundingneighborhoods.

•Programrecreationcenterstodevelopcommunityinitiativesspecifictoreducingyouthcrime

andobesityamongyouth.

•Formalizemaintenanceagreementswithneighborhoodassociationsandcommunityleadersto

maintainsmallerparks.

•Re-developinactiveorunder-usedneighborhoodparksas

openspaceorgreenspace.

•Removeplaygroundequipment,structuresandparkamenities

thathaveout-livedtheirfunction.

•Review,updateandbenchmarktheDeveloper’sOrdinance

tobeconsistentwithrequirementsforparkandrecreation

purposesincommunitiessimilartoKansasCity,Missouri.

Recognize the Importance of Neighborhoods in the Community

Goal:

TheDepartmentofParks,RecreationandBoulevardswillpromoteitsroleinhistoryby

followingthehistoricparkdesignestablishedbyGeorgeKessler,andimprovingsignature

amenitiessuchas,theLibertyMemorial,Zoo,StarlightTheater,SwopeParkandhistoric

parkways,boulevardsandfountains.

What we will do:

•DevelopspecifiedexistingparkstomeetSignaturePark*status.

•Upgradeandmaintainallfountainsatthehighestlevel.

•UpgradeparkwaysandboulevardstomeettheoriginalcharacterasdesignedbyGeorge

Kessler.

•IdentifyparkwaysandboulevardsthatdonotmeetKessler’scharacterdesignstandardsand

cannotberestored.

•CommunitylevelandSignatureParkswillbetheprimarylocationforlargeplaygrounds,

pavilions,aquaticfacilitiesandrecreationcenters.

*ASignatureParkisonewhichtheentirecommunityrecognizesasoneofitsmostimportantparks.The

SignatureParkisonewhichcreatesanimageofwhothecommunityisandwhatitrepresents.TheSignature

Parkhasthefullcomplementofpassiveandactiverecreationalactivitiesandcreatesahighlevelofearned

income.ExamplesincludetheGoldenGateParkinSanFrancisco,FairmontParkinPhiladelphia,CentralPark

inNewYork,MillenniumParkinChicago,GrantParkinChicagoandWhiteRiverStateParkinIndianapolis.

SwopeParkandLooseParkarethetwoparksthatcurrentlyfitwithinthiscategoryinKansasCity,Missouri.

Recognize the Importance of the Park System to the Area, Regional, National and International Community

Goal:

TheDepartmentofParks,RecreationandBoulevardswillimprovetheratingbycitizensofits

parksystembyincreasingannualoperatingandcapitalfunds.

What we will do:

•Commitresourcestocoreservicesandsearchforopportunitiestoprovidenon-core

servicesanotherway.

•Analyzetheparkbudgetfromazerobaseperspectivetodetermineifoperatingefficiencies

orre-directionofresourcescanbeachieved.

•Identifyadedicatedsource(s)forincreasedoperatingandcapital

fundsnecessarytoimproveparksystemmaintenanceandcapital

improvements.

•CreateaParkFoundationtoassistwithfundraising,serveasa

depositoryforprivatecontributions,assistwithlandacquisitionand

serveasatooltoacquiregrants.

•IdentifyafundingstrategyfortheDepartment’scapitalmaintenance

improvementbacklog.

•Conductin-depthuserandcitizensurveystodeterminelevelsofuser

satisfaction.

•Analyzethelevelofserviceprovidedintheparksystembyevaluating

boththequantityandqualityofparksandfacilitiesbyusingthe

GeographicAssessmentofParkSystems(GAPS)Processwhichhas

beendevelopedbytheconsultantandisincludedintheMaster Plan.

Increase Annual Operating and Capital Funds

Goal:

TheDepartmentofParks,RecreationandBoulevardswillmakeimprovementstoexisting

parkfacilitiesandamenitiespriortofundingnewprojects.Budgetsfornewprojectsthat

arealreadyunderwaywillincludefuturemaintenanceandoperationcosts.

What we will do:

•Acknowledgethatcitizensstronglysupport“takingcare”ofexistingparksystem

facilities.

•Customizegeneralparkupgradestomeettheneedsofcitizensintheservicearea.

•Makeimprovementsthatcitizensrankedas“highimportance”first.

•Removeunsafe,dilapidated,abandonedandunnecessaryparkamenitiesinatimely

manner.

•EncourageHomeOwnerAssociationstohelpmaintainneighborhoodparks.

•Developgreenways,trailsandbikewaysasresources

allow.

•Developcommunitylevelrecreationcenters(notless

than100,000sq.ft.)

•Constructcommunitylevelaquaticcentersandabandon

smallfillanddrainpools.

•Initiatecollaborationswithstate,county,municipal

andprivateagencieswhichfacilitatespecificpark

improvements.

Identify Specific Park System Improvements and New Projects

Goal:

TheDepartmentofParks,RecreationandBoulevardswillidentifyresourcesnecessaryto

implementthekeyelementsoftheMaster Plan.

What we will do:

•Assignstafftogeneraterevenue.

•Assignstafftodevelopapricingpolicythatwillgenerateenoughrevenuetocovercoststo

operatecertainfacilities,servicesandprograms.

•Assignstafftomanagepartnershipdevelopmentandcoordination.

•Assignstafftomarketandpromotetheparksystem.

•Assignstafftocoordinatevolunteers.

•Assignstafftograntwritingandgrantmanagement.

•Assignstafftocompileandanalyzeuserdataand

performancemeasures.

Assign Staff and Funding Necessary to Implement Key Elements of the Plan

Goal:

TheDepartmentofParks,RecreationandBoulevardswillimproveservicesprovidedineach

neighborhoodbymeetingtheuniqueneedsofcitizensinthatarea.

What we will do:

•ParticipateintheeconomicdevelopmentoftheCity.

•ParticipateintheopenspaceandboulevardcomponentsoftheRiverCrownPlazaConcept.

•CompletetheCentennialBoulevardProject.

•UpgradePennValleyParkandSwopeParktoincreasevisitoruse.

•Provideservicesinneighborhoodsthatarepricedtoreflecttheincomelevelofthoselivingthere.

•Reviewtransportationoptionsasnewfacilitiesaredevelopedandrecreationprogramming

decisionsaremade.

•ProvidebilingualmarketingmaterialsintheCity

wheretheyarenecessary.

•Identifyandprioritizeannuallyparkareasthatrequire

redevelopment,restorationandrefurbishment.

Identify and Address the Uniqueness of each Neighborhood’s Needs

Goal:

TheDepartmentofParks,RecreationandBoulevardswilladoptnewparkandrecreation

standardsthatwillensurefiscallyresponsiblechoicesaboutnewparksandfacilities.

What we will do:

•Adoptrecreationfacilitystandardsforswimming,tennis,golf,communitycenters,

athleticfields,playgroundsandiceskatingrinks.

•Adoptnewparklandstandardsforvariousparktypeswhichincludeneighborhood,

community,metropolitan,regional,greenways,trailsandspecialuse;e.g.athletic

complexes.

Create New Park Land and Recreation Facility Standards

Extend and Expand the Parkway and Boulevard SystemGoal:

TheDepartmentofParks,RecreationandBoulevardswill

designandconstructparkwaysandboulevardsinareas

oftheCitythatlackconnectionstotheexistingsystemtherebycreatingeconomic

developmentbenefits.

What we will do:

•CompletetheParkwayandBoulevardSystemStudy.

•ExtendtheParkwayandBoulevardSystemfromitscurrent124milelengthby

approximately40miles.

Goal:

TheDepartmentofParks,RecreationandBoulevardswillimplementa

numberofmeasurestomonitortheimplementationoftheMaster Plan.

What we will do:

•Adoptstandardsforparkland/openspaceacquisitionanddevelopmentofrecreation

facilitiesandtrails.

•Developapolicyforcostrecoveryofprogramsandservices.

•UpdatetheDeveloper’sOrdinance.

•RevisetheParkwayandBoulevardAssessmenttoincreasethecostrecoverylevel.

•FormalizePartnershipAgreementssothattheyidentifyparticipationlevelsandare

reviewedannually.

•DevelopaLandAcquisitionPolicythataddressescommunityneeds.

•DevelopaConservationPolicythataddressestheMARCregionalConservationPlan.

•DevelopaMarketingandCommunicationsPlan

thataddressescitizenawarenessofDepartment

programs,servicesandparkopportunities.

•DevelopandsharewiththeBoardandthepublican

AnnualReportontheprogressoftheMaster Plan.

•DevelopaStakeholderScorecardtoassess

organizationalperformance.

Identify Measures to Ensure the Plan is Properly Implemented

K A N S A S C I T Y, M I S S O U R I PA R K S , R E C R E A T I O N A N D B O U L E VA R D S4600 E. 63rd Street · Kansas City, Missouri 64130 · (816) 513-7500 · kcmo.org/parks

PROS ConsultingETC/Leisure Vision

Kansas City, MissouriComprehensive

Parks, Recreation and BoulevardsMaster Plan

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Boulevards is a nationally accredited agency through the National Recreation and Park Association which endorses the guidelines established by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). As a nationally accredited agency, the Kansas City, Missouri Department of Parks, Recreation and Boulevards has met the recommended national standards for service to the community.