After a year of public input and stakeholder meetings, the City of Erie has released a draft of its comprehensive Recreation, Parks and Open Space Plan.<\/p>\n
The plan, called \u201cErie Outside \u2014 Play, Explore, Belong,\u201d is designed to serve as a roadmap for the next 20 years, guiding improvements to Erie\u2019s parks and open spaces.<\/p>\n
The plan focuses on the future of the city\u2019s parks \u2014 including facilities, programming, operations, maintenance, and long-term investment.<\/p>\n
While the vision stretches two decades into the future, city planners say some improvements could happen sooner, including more shade and seating, upgraded restrooms, drinking water access, and more accessible walking paths.<\/p>\n
The plan has already been shaped by community input and stakeholder feedback, but now the City of Erie is asking residents to take another look and share their thoughts through an online survey.<\/p>\n
According to the draft, the city has more than 51 parks, and 87% of Erie residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. However, only 53% are within a 10-minute walk of what is considered a \u201cquality park.\u201d<\/p>\n
Compared to other cities of similar size, Erie ranks well when it comes to park access and the number of parks available per population. But planners say the city faces challenges when it comes to total acreage, funding and staffing.<\/p>\n
Jackie Spry, the City of Erie\u2019s Bureau Chief of Planning & Zoning, says parks are more than just places for recreation. \u201cNot only do they provide a respite from heat, a way just to find a quiet space, but they also improve the neighborhoods, they increase property values, so it’s a tool not only to improve the social aspect and health aspect of our community \u2014 but also to revitalize our city.\u201d<\/p>\n
City planners describe Erie\u2019s parks as cultural assets created long ago through the foresight of prior city leaders \u2014 and say the goal should be to celebrate, embrace and continue investing in those spaces for the future.<\/p>\n
The city currently has $4 million set aside through American Rescue Plan funds for park improvements.<\/p>\n