Parks Master Plan

Parks & Recreation Master Plan

The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved on February 25, 2020, the Parks & Recreation Master Plan.  This document will help guide decisions about Paducah's parks and amenities over the next 15 years.

Executive Summary - 2020 Parks & Recreation Master Plan
Full Document - 2020 Parks & Recreation Master Plan [Note: This is a large document.]

Master Plan Development

Steering Committee RecommendationsMaster Plan Launch - In October 2018, the Paducah Board of Commissioners approved a professional services agreement with Bacon, Farmer, and Workman Engineering & Testing (BFW) for the development of a Parks & Recreation Master Plan.  BFW developed the plan with the assistance of Peck Flannery Gream Warren, Inc. (PFGW) of Paducah in addition to Brandstetter/Carroll of Lexington, the company that completed the 2002 Master Plan for the Parks Department which was updated in 2007. 

The Master Plan process included the creation of a citizen steering committee and meetings with stakeholder groups, interactive public workshops, surveys, online engagement tools, and public presentations.  The process also involved a review of previous studies and similar parks systems and the analysis of organizational structure, policies, and funding options.  

Preparing Final Documents - Joint Meetings with McCracken County Fiscal Court - The Paducah Board of Commissioners and the McCracken County Fiscal Court held a joint meeting on December 17, 2019, to hear the latest on the Master Plan.  Both elected bodies met in April and June to discuss the plan’s preliminary results.  At the December meeting, Pat Hoagland with Brandstetter/Carroll, Inc. provided a summary of the process and final results.  The 11-month process has included input from a Steering Committee and about 2600 contacts with city and county citizens ranging from mailed surveys to face-to-face input.  The top 10 priorities from the Steering Committee are   

  1. Improve ADA accessibility at all parks;
  2. Redevelop Stuart Nelson Park;
  3. Build the Indoor Recreation and Aquatic Center;
  4. Improve site security at all parks;
  5. Provide more restroom facilities;
  6. Improve Riverfront Plaza/Schultz Park;
  7. Replace the McCracken County Soccer Complex;
  8. Redevelop Midtown Golf Course as a neighborhood park;
  9. Replace playground components; and
  10. Provide shade at playgrounds.

Parks Master Plan Slide Presentation (December 17, 2019 Meeting)

Engagement 

  • Meetings with Local Interest Groups, March 11-13, 2019 - The City of Paducah Parks & Recreation Department asked for input from local interest groups to add their experience and ideas to the Master Plan's development.  The professional consultants working to gather community input met with local interest groups on March 11-13, 2019.  
  • Open House on January 31, 2019 - An open house was held January 31, 2019, from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Robert Cherry Civic Center which allowed the public to provide input in the development of the Paducah Parks & Recreation Master Plan and their thoughts on the future of the City of Paducah’s parks, facilities, recreation programs, community events, trails, and open spaces.  The response was great with 177 people in attendance.
  • Online Survey Options - The Community provided input through a MindMixer weblink and an online Survey Monkey weblink.

Parks Master Plans from 2002 and 2008

In 2001, the City of Paducah contracted with consultant Brandstetter Carroll, Inc. for the development of the 2002 Parks Master Plan, a 206 page document. In 2008, the City contracted to amend the plan, 2008 Parks Master Plan Update.