Public Invited to Offer Input on the Future of our Parks:
Parks for Tomorrow Campaign to Determine Community Needs for Future of Parks, Recreation and Trails
[CHARLESTON] – The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) wants to hear what YOU would like to see in the community’s park system! What would you envision for CCPRC’s recently purchased properties throughout the county? What activities or events would you like offered in the future at your county parks? Your voice matters as we shape the future of parks and recreation in Charleston County. Let us know your dreams and ideas through public input sessions this summer.
Gathering input on topics including parks, recreation, and trails to incorporate into the agency’s master plan, this public initiative is dubbed Parks for Tomorrow. The campaign will take into consideration the existing facilities, programs, and services, and conduct a comprehensive community input process to determine the current and future level of service for the Lowcountry.
Parks for Tomorrow will create a new Parks, Recreation and Trails Master Plan to prioritize the needs and desires for upgrading existing and potentially creating new facilities and services. This plan will help to determine the phasing, timing, funding and other details for these projects and services for the next ten years. One of the important factors of the plan is to determine the funding sources that are available and supported to implement the needs of the community. Nationally-known parks and recreation management consulting firm GreenPlay, LLC is helping CCPRC to oversee the campaign and their master plan update process.
The Parks for Tomorrow initiative wants to hear from all community residents. Public Workshops will be conducted at various area schools on June 19-21 and July 24-26, from 7-8:30 p.m. each day. Locations are detailed below, and everyone is welcome.
In addition to these six public meetings, a statistically-valid citizen survey is being conducted amongst households within the area. The results will be utilized during the community input phase and throughout the process. Internal and external focus groups will also be conducted, featuring not only CCPRC staff and commissioners but also select key community leaders in various subjects such as special events, outdoor recreation, trails, community enrichment and outreach.
The mission of the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission is to improve the quality of life in Charleston County by offering a diverse system of park facilities, programs and services. For more information on Parks for Tomorrow, visit http://www.ccprc.com/ParksforTomorrow.
Public Workshop Dates (all workshops will be held from 7-8:30 p.m.):
• Tuesday, July 24: Burke High School’s media center (244 President St., Charleston)
• Wednesday, July 25: Baptist Hill High School’s cafeteria (5117 Baptist Hill Rd., Yonges Island)
• Thursday, July 26: St. James Santee Elementary School’s cafeteria (8900 Hwy. 17 North, McClellanville)
