(WJET/WFXP)– After a year of hearing ideas from the public, the City of Erie has released the first draft of their comprehensive two-decade plan to improve the city’s parks, recreation and open public spaces.
Known as Outside Erie, the city said it will act as a roadmap for short and long-term visions for investments and improvements to parks, recreation, open spaces, and public spaces. They’re now inviting the public to see what they came up with after hearing thousands of ideas since spring 2025.
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The plan also includes how the city wants to improve programs, operations, maintenance, and long-term investment priorities for parks over the next 20 years, outlining system‑wide vision, goals, and strategies, along with any recommended projects.
It also outlines which projects take priority and a framework to guide future decision‑making, while providing implementation guidance on roles, partnerships, and potential funding sources.
“From the very beginning, this plan has been shaped by the people who use and care about Erie’s parks,” said Jackie Spry, Bureau Chief of Planning & Zoning. “Through a wide range of public engagement opportunities, residents shared their ideas, priorities, and experiences throughout this process.
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The public comment period will be open for the next 30 days, ending on July 21. Once it ends, the city said what the community had to say will be worked into the final plan, then presented to the Planning Commission and Erie City Council for approval in the late summer.
The full plan can be viewed and comments can be left online here.
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