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cost savings to better prepare future budgets.

• Develop operating impact statements for all future park developments to give Council more information on projected maintenance and other costs before the decision-making process.

• Work during the design process to offset future financial needs. For example, creating more natural areas reduces budgetary needs while providing benefits to the natural environment.

Policy 3: Balance wants with needs in park design

Issues

• Community scale and intelligent park design can get lost during the process of soliciting public input about park development. Individual

neighborhoods’ desired elements may not be in the best interest of the overall community.

• Certain amenities desirable from an environmental or City perspective (e.g., meadows and prairies) may not be considered desirable by residents.

Strategies

• Take leadership in the park planning process, balancing

neighborhood/resident desires with community needs.

• Support and apply philosophies and strategies in the Community Plan, Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and Council goals when developing parks and open space.

• Educate staff to inform the public on the importance of good planning and environmental stewardship.

Policy 4: Seek to understand the needs of potential partners in order to develop mutually beneficial partnership relationships

Issue

• Untapped partnership opportunities could exist to facilitate park development.

Strategies

• Gain an understanding of the goals and visions of agencies, corporations and organizations where partnership experiences can be developed that will be mutually advantageous.

• Continue existing partnerships to extend land, amenities, facilities and recreational programming to the public.