No matter what field you are in, sometimes your job simply gets in the way of your job. All of the day-to-day tasks or paperwork can blind you from your ultimate goals or mission. It’s the same at a parks and recreation agency. Managing programs, parks, facilities, memberships, child care programs and a lot more takes a ton of time and effort. We work with hundreds of P&R organizations who deal with this balance every day – managing the day-to-day while keeping the mission in mind.
Today is a refresher. For this post, we’ve compiled 37 real goals from tons of parks and recreation agencies across North America (some may sound very familiar). Take a look, incorporate some at your organization, and most of all, make sure you’re not letting your job…get in the way of your job:
General
1. Preserve, protect, maintain, improve, and enhance natural resources, parkland, and recreational opportunities
2. Anticipate the needs of the changing community and structure programs and facilities accordingly
3. Enhance the city’s arts, cultural and historic assets
4. Serve an aging population with social, recreational, active and healthy opportunities
5. Enrich the lives of residents
6. Build a healthier community
7. Provide efficient services to residents regardless of income, background, and ability
8. Encourage volunteerism
9. Utilize financial resources efficiently and equitably
10. Become a recognized leader in the community, state and nation in park and recreation management
11. Strengthen community image and sense of place
12. Maximize financial efficiency and ensure contractual compliance
13. Make the city a major visitor destination
14. Continue to expand the level of public information and involvement in parks and recreation
15. Improve inter-agency cooperation with neighboring communities
16. Use capital to renew aging infrastructure
17. Leverage partnerships that produce new parks and facilities that are forward-thinking and world class
18. Enhance health and wellness of our patrons through innovative and diversified parks, arts, recreation, leisure and cultural opportunities
19. Provide opportunities for relaxation, learning and socialization to promote personal growth and well being
20. Plan and organize, and whenever possible, to encourage family participation
21. Make the city a better place to live, work and play
22. Promote positive customer service
23. Be an employer of choice
24. Create positive childhood experiences
25. Transition pavement to parks whenever possible
Parks
26. Apply safe design principles in order to make neighborhood parks safer and to increase citizen usage
27. Provide walking, biking, running and other activities with trails, paths, and bikeways
28. Bring children and families into our parks and give them great reasons to stay and play for a lifetime
29. Balance nature and man-made environments in town
Facilities
30. Increase facility usage
31. Continually strive to improve existing facilities while seeking opportunities for future development
32. Acquire appropriate land to expand existing park facilities and services
Programs
33. Increase participation in programs and recreation opportunities
34. Develop programs, tournaments and leagues for families, kids, ladies, men, seniors, and more
35. Teach, learn, and develop skills, abilities and talents for residents of all ages
36. Meet recreational needs with maximum effectiveness and with minimum expense
37. Effectively promote and publicize area recreational programs and events
What goals are we missing? Tweet at us or comment below to share some of your organization’s goals.
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