Imagine a community where lush parks and winding trails invite adventure, connection, and well-being. Now, picture those spaces as pleasant escapes and thriving hubs of activity, sustainability, and lasting impact. Creating successful parks and trails projects isn’t just about planting trees or paving paths—it’s about envisioning spaces that inspire, serve, and stand the test of time. Whether you’re hoping to develop a multi-acre park or build an important trail connection, working with a landscape architect who understands the key steps to bring these visions to life can turn a good idea into a great one. Ready to trailblaze your path to success? Here’s how to make your parks and trails projects truly shine:
Steps for Success
1. Vision and Goal Setting
Establishing a clear vision is a critical first step in the planning process of any parks and trails project. Setting goals and narrowing the scope provides direction for decisions that will affect the project’s long-term success and sustainability.
2. Engage Stakeholders
When your stakeholders align on a shared vision, their diverse interests can morph into a unified concept, guiding the project toward its goals. Involving stakeholders in the planning process allows them to address concerns and fosters a sense of ownership over the project.
3. Community Engagement
When a project engages the opinions of the community, everyone’s needs and concerns can be considered. Utilizing surveys, meetings, and design charettes can provide a comprehensive and inclusive overview of the varied needs of those in your community.
4. Site Assessment and Feasibility Study
Through a preliminary site assessment and feasibility study, the characteristics, constraints, and opportunities of a project site can be identified ahead of time. When reasonable expectations for the land are determined early on, planners can prioritize the long-term success of the project by designing spaces that are thoughtfully integrated into the surrounding area.
5. Planning and Design
Planning and design lay the foundation for achieving project goals and creating sustainable parks and trails projects. Developing a master plan ensures the functionality of a project and helps execute a project’s vision. Thoughtful design efforts create inclusive, accessible spaces that fit seamlessly into their surrounding environment.
6. Funding and Budgeting
Securing funding and developing a budget is crucial for every project. When working on parks and trails projects, it is common to encounter significant upfront costs for land acquisition and long-term maintenance. Having an adequate funding structure in place and a detailed budget for each phase of the project will help avoid financial shortcomings.
7. Implementation and Construction
Effective implementation and construction are key to staying within budget and on schedule. Parks and trails projects often involve complex, site-specific challenges that are impacted by unpredictable factors such as the surrounding environment and weather. The implementation and construction of a parks and trails project is when planning comes to fruition, turning ideas into tangible spaces that will serve your community for years to come.
8. Operations and Maintenance Plan
After your parks and trails projects are finished, it’s the operations and maintenance plan that will account for the long-term sustainability and functionality of the project. Outlining a maintenance schedule that details the necessary tasks and upkeep required for the park or trail will ensure efficient operation and optimal enjoyment for generations to come.
Developing renderings is an important part of the design and planning process and helps people envision the end product. The rendering above is of Kerry Park in International Falls, MN.
These steps are intended to provide a clear framework to avoid costly mistakes, foster a sense of community ownership, and ensure the project goals are achieved in such a way that the needs of all users are met. If your community is considering a future parks or trails project, contact Widseth today!
