Greensboro Plan2Play Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2019

GREENSBORO PLAN2PLAY MASTER PLAN - 109

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Today, according to peer and national benchmarks, the City of Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department provides an adequate amount of park acreage and is on par with other communities for trail mileage. They are meeting the need for many amenities and facilities, although there is room to grow in terms of senior centers and outdoor basketball courts. In the future, these same gaps will widen as the community grows in size, and multi-purpose fields will also begin to feel pressure. On the program side, community priorities and national trends both align to suggest more investment is needed in fitness and wellness programs, educational programs, outdoor adventure, special events

and festivals, environmental education, and education/life skills programs. Additionally, while the arts and culture programs are well-served in terms of performing arts and some fine arts, they do not provide many classes offered by other peer agencies, such as cooking classes, adult art programs, quilting, sewing, weaving, and photography. For sports programs, the market balances programs provided by Greensboro with those by other providers. Still, no one in the Greensboro area is currently offering adult flag football leagues, so there may be a market opportunity in these areas. Lacrosse is a rapidly growing sport across the country. Likewise, the

Department currently does not offer adult volleyball leagues, youth soccer leagues, youth and adult field hockey leagues, youth flag football leagues, and outdoor adult lacrosse leagues; however, these are being covered by other regional providers. Keeping pace with growth, community needs, and shifts in recreation or leisure trends is no easy feat among a national climate of reduced parks and recreation budgets and competitive funding. For Greensboro, it will require a strategic approach to investment through creation of “community hearts,” expanded partnerships and embracing parks and recreation as central to transforming the community.