During a recent government meeting, Lacey city officials discussed the ongoing development of the Parks, Culture, and Recreation Comprehensive Plan, which is currently undergoing a significant update. This plan, part of the city's broader comprehensive strategy, is essential for assessing the community's needs and ensuring the sustainability of Lacey's park system.

City staff highlighted that the comprehensive plan is updated every six years to remain eligible for grants from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office. The latest update follows extensive public outreach conducted over two years, gathering input from residents to identify priorities for parks and recreation services. This outreach included over 6,000 inputs from the community, a dedicated park outreach team, and multiple surveys aimed at refining the public's preferences.

The meeting emphasized the importance of public engagement in shaping the plan, with officials noting that the feedback received has been the most comprehensive to date. Key challenges identified include managing population growth, aging infrastructure, and the need for a solid funding strategy to support park development and maintenance.

Officials also discussed the vision for Lacey's parks, which aims to create inclusive and resilient spaces that promote physical and mental health while fostering community connections. The plan outlines specific goals, including improving access to existing park properties and addressing funding gaps that currently rely heavily on the general fund.

As the city moves forward with this comprehensive plan, officials are committed to ensuring that community voices continue to shape the future of Lacey's parks and recreational offerings.