High Springs Taking Steps to Improve Parks And Recreation

HIGH SPRINGS – The City of High Springs is ratcheting up the future of its parks and recreation program. On Aug. 25 the High Springs Commission approved a is $141,605 proposal for a Parks, Trails and Recreation Master Plan from GAI Consultants Inc.'s Community Solutions Group (CSG).

High Springs currently does not have a master plan for future parks and recreation needs as the city grows. The plan is designed to ensure the city has adequate capacity in the parks system to provide a high level of service to residents.

Commissioner Ross Ambrose supported the proposal saying that the City has expended funds in the past without the help of a clear plan. He also said he wanted the Parks and Recreation Board to be included in the process, which he was told would be the case.

According to the proposal, the plan will help High Springs establish a long-range vision, assess current and future recreation needs, provide strategies to fill gaps and reduce redundancies within the park system, promote new ideas, while also building and deepening existing partnerships and alliances.

The plan proposes a number of benefits including improved transparency and community support for Parks Department projects, programming and offerings. Also, GAI will identify new opportunities for future development and help to align and prioritize capital improvement projects.

Payments will be due to GAI in four lump sum installments based on project phase. Project initiation is $10,339, existing conditions analysis is $62,347, master plan development is $29,368 and a strategy and recommendations report is $37,551. The time-frame to complete the project is estimated to be 12 months. City Manager Ashley Stathatos said that funds to pay for the plan development have already been included in the FY 2022-23 budget.

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