1. Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association Region 3 Meeting Important Concepts in Local, County and State Parks “Implementing Concepts for Successful Park Planning: From Local to Regional Land Legacy Initiatives (And How Your UW-Extension Office Can Help!) ” Thursday, February 8, 2007 City Hall, Jefferson, Wisconsin Presented By: Steve Grabow, Community Development Educator and Professor UW-Extension, Jefferson County

2. Presentation Purpose Process Guidance:  Provide an understanding of an integrated approach to successful park planning based on a research-based approach. Overview and Content:  Provide insights to the Wisconsin DNR/County/UW-Extension partnership resulting in the Land Legacy Program – The Glacial Heritage Area Initiative Throughout This Presentation:  Describe some of the ways UW-Extension can support local, County and State parks initiatives.

3. Fundamental Benefits of Parks, Recreation and Open Space  Parks are one of the most effective ways to build a sense of community and an improved quality of life.  Parks provide intrinsic environmental, aesthetic and recreational benefits to communities.  Open space/green relief in the cities.  A vision to preserve natural wonders and wilderness.  Recreation and “play” spaces in urbanizing areas.  Common spaces where diverse populations can intermingle.  The parks, recreation and conservation movement in America started in the later 1800s in response to a need for:

4. Fundamental Benefits of Parks, Recreation and Open Space  All great communities are known for having great parks and their ability to provide recreation, natural beauty and signature places in the “public domain”.  Parks help build civic pride and community livability, enhance tourism and economic investment, and contribute to health and quality of life.  UW-Extension can help people understand the benefits of parks, recreation and conservation.

5. PROCESS GUIDANCE

6. Plan Process  Meaningful planning and change process require an integration of learning opportunities, research and expert involvement, citizen participation and a sound planning approach.  UW-Extension can help the community in designing a response to parks initiatives by:  Providing research when needed  Providing learning and educational opportunities when appropriate  Helping design planning approaches when the time is right for planning  Helping design and facilitate meaningful public participation as needed.

7. Plan Process  UW-Extension can help the community in designing a response to parks initiatives by:  Helping to understand and access “experts” (often the department heads, agency representatives and consultants) as is realistic  Helping to position the community to incorporate coordinate and link these many purposes which are needed at different times

8. Summary of Steps General Approach to Planning: A Road Map  UW-Extension can help the community to understand the planning process (See Grabow, et. al. “Comprehensive Planning and Citizen Participation” – 2006, on-line at www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/jefferson)

9. Parallel or Concurrent Processes

10. Dynamics of Group Decision-Making

11. Citizen Participation Methods (A short list of 14) (UW-Extension professionals are skilled in these methods.)

12. Special Emphasis in Parks Planning  In Step 1 (Initial Education and Diagnosis), use the UW-Extension, media and internet for unlimited opportunities to ready the community for planning.  In Step 2 (Plan for Planning), it is critical to design a sound approach and determine the people and resources to involve; UW-Extension can assist in RFP development.  In Step 3 (Background Information and Inventory), it is important to have expert observations in site analysis.  Strong designers provide valuable clues to site limitations and site opportunities.

13. Special Emphasis in Parks Planning  In Step 5, (Issue Identification and Visioning), there are many opportunities to use creative, interactive tools for public involvement.  Favorite Tools:  “Concerns and Hopes” (for the overall plan and/or site)  Open House Workshop Drop-Off Opinion Surveys (inform/educate first and then survey)  Focus Group Interviews (powerful technique to get at possible issues, vision ideas and to explore or test strategy ideas)  Visioning/Design Charette (using base maps, aerials, markers)

14. OVERVIEW AND CONTENT

15. Nature-Based or Natural Resource-Oriented Parks (UW-Extension can refer to important research-based resources.)  There are ten activities which account for most recreation time for “natural-type” park users:  The order of importance varies significantly by age groups.  Camping  Fishing  Hiking  Biking  Picnicking  Relaxing  Sightseeing/Pleasure Driving  Swimming  Sunbathing  Nature Walking/Wildlife Viewing Source: George E. Fogg. Park Planning Guidelines. NRPA, 1995.

16.  Jefferson County adapted Phil Lewis’ research (UW- Madison/Extension Landscape Architect) to identify “attributes” for priority ranking of potential “natural resource-oriented” parks  The “attributes checklist” included:  Proximity to environmental corridor  Along or near an existing trail corridor  Scenic overlooks  Cultural/Historic Features  Native vegetation  Undisturbed  Glacial features  Adjacent or near state land  Water present Nature-Based or Natural Resource-Oriented Parks  UW-Extension can help in the use of “decision matrices” and other decision-making techniques; it also provides access to UW campus specialists.

17. Prior Jefferson County Parks-Related Planning (UW-Extension has been involved in different ways for each initiative.)  Jefferson County Bikeway/Pedestrianway Plan (1996)  Jefferson County Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan (June 1997)  Jefferson County Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2005-2010 (February 2005)  UW-Madison Graduate Planning Workshop “Impacts and Benefits of Parks, Recreation and Land Preservation” Jefferson County Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2005-2010 Prepared for: Jefferson County Parks Department March 1, 2005

18. Linkages to Other Plans (UW-Extension can inform the interface among different plans.)  Integrate strategies in the Jefferson County Agricultural Preservation and Land Use Plan  Integrate with strong community plans

19. Key Ideas From New Parks Plan  Integrate Jefferson County Parks Vision and Strategies with Glacial Heritage Area (Land Legacy Initiative)  UW-Extension can provide important context for complex partnerships because of its unique role in serving local, County and State interests)

20. Key Ideas From New Parks Plan  Provide emphasis to the Glacial Heritage Area  UW-Extension can be a continuous resource for incorporating sound principles of “change”:

21. Understanding and Leading “Change” (UW-Extension can help leaders understand principles of change.) Principles of “Change”: 1.Framing the “sense of urgency” to do something 2.Helping to identify and form “guiding coalitions” 3.Assisting in the design and facilitation of “vision and strategy” approaches 4.Helping to “communicate for understanding” 5.Alerting the community to the importance of “broad-based and empowered action” 6.Advising about the need for “early evidence of progress” 7.Foster “determination, persistence and on-going process refinements” 8.Help reinforce the “value of successful change” and long-term cultural changes John Kotter (1996). Leading Change

22. Closing – Framing the Challenge (UW-Extension can be a versatile resource in helping to address complex challenges.)  How can we preserve our natural resources and rural character while making all our communities healthier, more livable and more enjoyable for our families?