Montgomery residents want better restrooms, an upgraded pool and more nature trails, according to the first round of feedback shaping the city's Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
The city collected more than 500 comments at three summer events, Council Member Catherine Mills-Reynolds wrote in an Aug. 31 update on the city's website. Staff gathered input at the July 3 BAMSO concert, the Independence Day celebration in Montgomery Park and the Bastille Day festival.
The plan will guide decisions about parks, facilities, programs and recreational opportunities for the next 10 to 15 years.
What residents said
Three themes emerged from the Discovery phase feedback. Residents said they value Montgomery's playgrounds, nature trails, community events, walking paths and landscaping. They most frequently flagged park restrooms, parking, the community pool and walking and nature trails as needing improvement.
Three sites drew the most comments about future enhancements: the Montgomery Community Pool, Montgomery Park and Johnson Nature Preserve. The pool topped the list.
"City staff collected over 500 comments in these early feedback sessions," Mills-Reynolds wrote, adding that the completed plan will provide "a practical roadmap for future improvements, investments, operations, and capital planning."
What happens next
The project is in the Discovery phase, the first of five stages in a process expected to take about 12 months. The remaining phases are Analysis and Synthesis, Develop Options, Focus and the Final Master Plan.
The city is working with Ohio-based architectural firm MSA Sport and a project Steering Committee to establish goals and develop a shared vision. MSA Sport has conducted site visits, facility assessments and staff focus groups covering recreation programs, maintenance, operations and future needs. The firm previously worked on Blue Ash's Summit Park and the Blue Ash Recreation Center.
Staff is also reviewing existing maps, site plans and GIS data while completing an inventory of parks, facilities, trails and amenities.
The next steps include analyzing the collected feedback, benchmarking Montgomery against similar communities, evaluating current programs and developing recommendations.
No budget figures for the master plan or anticipated improvements have been released.
Upcoming meetings
The Montgomery Parks and Recreation Commission meets Sept. 10 at 5:30 p.m. at Johnson Nature Preserve, 10840 Deerfield Rd., Cincinnati 45242. The commission also meets Oct. 8 at 5:30 p.m. at Swaim Lodge.
