City of Franklin Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan

The Challenge

The City of Franklin, Tennessee, wanted to develop a 10-year needs assessment master plan to guide the future of the parks and recreation system. The City’s population has grown dramatically since 2000, and parks and recreation facilities have not kept pace with the area’s growth, reducing the level of service to residents. With a projected 30% population increase by 2029, the City needed to develop a comprehensive master plan to cover new and improved high-quality park and recreation facilities, including a multi-use trail system.

The Solution

Public outreach was a key first step in revealing important input and information from the community. A list of recommendations included expanding and improving 710 acres of parkland, green spaces, and trails throughout the city, with an emphasis on the land's historical significance.

The master plan includes an implementation plan guided by the Parks & Recreation Department’s vision and mission; it outlines goals and strategies while remaining flexible to meet changing needs over time. An included Capital Improvement Plan identified potential funding sources and a “blueprint” for spending priorities to support the plan’s goals.

The Result

The Barge team's successful development of the parks and recreation master plan will provide the City of Franklin with a valuable tool for guiding future investments in park and recreation facilities. The plan's emphasis on public involvement, strategic planning, and capital improvement ensures that the city's parks and recreation system can meet the needs of its growing population while preserving its unique character and the area's history.