Aug 26, 2024 – For immediate release
Press contact: Rylie Dorman, (616) 994-4774

Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Commission Approves Strategic Plan

The Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission (OCPRC) is pleased to share its 2024 Strategic Plan with the public. This plan, approved by the OCPRC on August 21, 2024, outlines the department’s goals and initiatives.

"The 2024 OCPRC Strategic Plan was developed by harnessing robust public and stakeholder input as well as intensive data gathering and analysis," said OCPRC Director Jason Shamblin.

"The OCPRC has updated the mission statement, developed a new vision statement, and updated strategic initiatives as part of the plan. These tools will allow the OCPRC to build upon the incredible existing park system and help ensure that the OCPRC continues to meet the needs of its growing community and its hundreds of thousands of visitors."

The plan offers a thorough overview of the department’s divisions and their roles in serving the community. It details the planning process, goals, and action items, and outlines the steps OCPRC will take to ensure successful implementation.

We invite all residents and visitors to review the plan and learn more about the future of Ottawa County Parks and Recreation. The full Strategic Plan is available online at: miottawa.org/strategicplan

Strategic Plan Inputs

This plan is an evolution of the Commission's past reports, plans, investments, and goals. The plan provides a strategic approach to accomplishing the OCPRC’s vision. To develop a realistic and tangible strategic plan, the OCPRC engaged in a comprehensive and iterative process, leveraging the following inputs:

Stakeholder Engagement: The OCPRC engaged the community through surveys and in-person visioning sessions, and a day-long Strategy Lab for feedback on the parks system.
Scientific Survey: The OCPRC engaged with Probolsky Research to poll County residents’ attitudes toward the parks system.
Community Benefits Survey: The OCPRC engaged Crowe LLP to evaluate the economic and quality of life benefits generated by Parks.
Park Visitation Data: The OCPRC retained a subscription to Placer.ai, which allows for analysis of visitation data to OCPRC sites from 2017 to the present.
Comparative and Historical Analysis: In preparation for the Strategic Plan, the OCPRC analyzed the budget, acreages, and mission and vision statements for comparable parks systems across the State of Michigan. This information can help provide benchmarks for OCPRC acreages, amenities, and operations.
Previous Plans: Previous plans and reports, such as the 2021 Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan and former mission statements and goals, laid the foundation for the OCPRC’s Strategic Plan.

The raw data from all of these inputs can be found in the plan appendices online.

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Operations, improvements and programs are funded by grants, private donations, and a parks millage. If you own a $150,000 home, you pay $26 annually investing in opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature education today and for future generations. Thank you. Learn more about the 7,000 acres of park land in Ottawa County at miOttawa.org/Parks

Ottawa County Parks &
Recreation Commission

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