Planning for the Long Game: Master Planning Matters in Outdoor Spaces

When it comes to creating meaningful recreation spaces, one-off projects are just the start. For lasting impact on your community, your city, and your organization, it's time to think strategically, it’s time to talk about master planning.

Master planning is the roadmap that helps outdoor spaces grow with your community instead of just reacting to what’s needed in the moment. It’s how you turn a piece of land into a legacy.

What Is Recreation Master Planning?
Master planning for recreation spaces means looking at the big picture. According to the American Association for Leisure and Recreation, a community parks and recreation master plan is “a document that provides an inclusive framework for orderly and consistent planning; acquisition; development; and administration of the parks and recreation resources, programs, and facilities.” It starts with questions like:

- What does our community need now and in the next 5, 10, or 15 years?
- How do we make sure everyone has access to outdoor spaces?
- What kind of infrastructure or themes can bring our vision to life?

A good master plan takes all of that, plus local input, site-specific data, budget goals, and timelines. Through thoughtful planning, it turns it into a living, breathing strategy.

Why It’s Worth It
Stronger Community Buy-In: People support what they help shape. By listening to the needs of the community, people will buy into the plan. 
More Equitable Access: Create spaces that serve everyone in the community, despite differing ability levels. 
Room to Grow: Plan for phases instead of starting over. Creating an in-depth plan that is set to grow over time will improve budget, community, and accessibility. 

Chattanooga's Evolution Through Master Planning: One Westside
Let’s take Chattanooga, Tennessee. Through a year-long collaboration with residents, city officials, faith leaders, and community partners, The One Westside Transformation Plan came to life. The plan helps connect Chattanooga's Westside neighborhood and tackle long- standing challenges within the city, creating a more vibrant community. Through planning and improved infrastructure, One Westside will bridge the gap between Chattanooga's historic Westside and downtown.

With the “Build First” strategy in place, new homes will be built for residents without causing displacement. Alongside the housing development, new green spaces and accessibility to downtown will be introduced through the preservation of the neighborhood's history. Through the preservation of the neighborhood's history and the creation of green community spaces, residents will feel connected. One Westside shows what a master plan can set in motion, a community-rooted vision that aims to build a connected Chattanooga. 

Bring Master Planning to The Table
At IMPACT Parks, we help communities, cities, and organizations take big ideas and make them real. From master planning and community engagement to custom designs and full project builds. Whether it’s a branded playground, a multi-use recreation hub, or a revitalized park space, our team brings decades of experience to the table.

We don’t just design playgrounds or install outdoor fitness equipment, we help you plan, build, and evaluate environments that last.