South Bend 5-Year Park Master Plan

The City of South Bend enlisted the expertise of JPR, in collaboration with a renowned park and recreation planning firm, to craft their 5-Year Park Master Plan. With a population exceeding 100,000, South Bend boasts a rich tradition of offering diverse park programs. However, recognizing the need to adapt to the demands of a modern city, the municipality sought to enhance its 57 parks and 1,200 acres of parkland.

The planning process prioritized establishing inclusive public engagement, shaping goals, and defining objectives. Through 26 public meetings, a statistically valid survey, and online responses from over 1,000 individuals, the project team gathered valuable insights. This input facilitated a comprehensive assessment of South Bend’s park and open space needs, recreation initiatives, community-building strategies, and organizational structure. Additionally, the analysis pinpointed funding requirements for deferred maintenance and capital improvement projects.

The culmination of these efforts yielded the City of South Bend’s 5-Year Park Master Plan, which catalyzed a $5 million parks bond to kickstart crucial projects highlighted in the analysis. This plan now serves as an accessible framework for the City’s ongoing preservation of its natural resources and guides further enhancements to adapt to evolving urban dynamics. By outlining clear goals, policies, standards, and objectives, the document embodies the parks’ mission statement  - building community through people, parks, and programs.

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