The Lenexa Parks and Recreation Department began the first Parks, Recreation and Open Space Comprehensive Master Plan effort in January of 2011. This Parks Master Plan will be the first thorough review of the city’s parks and recreation needs in the 30+ years of the department. The plan, when it is finished by the end of the year, will provide the city with a road map to future parks and recreation planning efforts.

The department will be developing this plan with the assistance of AECOM, Inc. of West Palm Beach Florida. They have teamed up with the following local partners: Indigo Design, Inc. and ETC Leisure Vision. Additional assistance will be provided by Heller & Heller Consulting, Inc., Ballard King & Associates and RMPK Funding.

4 phases of the planning process

1. Evaluation of the Existing System - This phase will provide an overview of Lenexa’s existing parks and recreation services, including an analysis of existing facilities and an assessment of their condition. Facilities will include indoor spaces such as the Lenexa Community Center, Lenexa Senior Center, Lenexa Conference Center. Outdoor spaces include all parks, trails, outdoor aquatic facilities, ball fields and existing park land not yet developed. An analysis of the city’s recreational program offerings will also be performed, including a detailed assessment of other recreational providers (Johnson County Parks and Recreation District facilities and programs, private recreational providers, home owners’ associations, private not for profit providers, etc.)

2. Needs and Priorities Assessment - The public will be fully engaged in this process. Citizens will be invited to a series of workshops designed to solicit public input. Interest groups, such as sports organizations, seniors and other user groups will be invited to discuss their needs. A statistically valid Citizen Attitude and Interest Survey will be sent to a representative sample of Lenexa homes to gauge the general public’s interest in parks and recreation facilities and needs. Please watch the city’s website for specific opportunities to become involved. In addition, a service area analysis will be conducted to determine which areas of the city are presently being served by parks and recreation facilities and which areas are not. The needs, as determined by survey and user input, will be finalized for a presentation at a Visioning Workshop.

3. Long Range Vision - Efforts from the first two phases will be presented at a workshop in May. During this workshop, a conceptual parks and recreation system vision will be presented. Estimated costs for each of the identified parks and recreation facilities will be developed and a plan for implementation will be presented. This will lead to a Department Action and Strategic Plan.

4. Comprehensive Plan Document - The City Council and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will be involved at various stages of this master plan. The comprehensive plan document will be presented to both of these bodies for their approval late in the year.

The Parks, Recreation and Open Space Comprehensive Plan will result in a valuable tool to assist the city toward the future development of parks and recreation facilities, parks, trails and recreational programming efforts. The very backbone to this effort will be input from a variety of sources including substantial public input. The end document should reflect the needs and desires of Lenexa citizens now and in the future.

For more information
If you have any questions about the comprehensive plan, contact Gary Ristow, Parks & Recreation Director at 913.477.7100 or GRistow@lenexa.com.