2016 2017

City of Grand Rapids Parks Masterplan

As project manager at Sasaki, I worked with the City of Grand Rapids and HR&A Advisors to develop a long-term strategy for the design, enhancement, operation, management, and funding of the city's Parks Department as it emerges from a long period of disinvestment. The study focuses on developing actionable projects and building partnerships with the city’s philanthropic and private sectors, with guidance from the city’s wider citizenry. A robust stakeholder engagement process lay the foundation for the successful implementation of the project.

System inventory
A rigorously data-driven discovery phase revealed key strengths in Grand Rapids's parks system, as well as gaps in service delivery.
System inventory
Benchmarking against national standards
Engagement
Implementation
Clear, actionable strategies focused on capital improvements, enhanced operational standards, programs to engage new demographics, and staffing models
Funding
Funding strategies that leverage public and private resources