Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan

Parks and recreation facilities not only enrich the lives of those in the community, but also can improve the aesthetics of ParksMasterPlanLogoneighborhoods, increase property values, generate tourism, and enhance the overall image of the County. The County acknowledges the need to phase in parks and recreation facilities in order to keep pace with its population growth. The policies of the Recreation and Open Space Element in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan required the County to prepare, in cooperation with appropriate agencies, a Recreation Master Plan to guide the development and maintenance of County parks and recreation facilities. Nassau County engaged Barth and Associates to assist in long-term recreation planning for the County.

Received 2022 FAPA Award – Florida American Planning Association Award of Excellence in Best Practices – Nassau County Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan (PROSMP)

  • The PROSMP analyzes the level of service standards and inventories the County’s current parks system. It recommends guidelines for the size, timing and phasing of county parks using population projections. It also considers what types of parks and recreation facilities are most appropriate in individual communities based on public input. The PROSMP will help to create a long-range financially feasible plan for the acquisition of recreation lands. The plan includes criteria for, and priority ranking of, lands for acquisition and development. It considers funding sources as well as programs for implementation and capital improvements for future parks and recreation facilities.
  • Click here to view Award of Excellence Video

The Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan was adopted on January 25, 2021.

The Parks & Recreation Master Plan analyzes the level of service standards and inventories of the County’s current parks system. It recommends guidelines for the size, timing and phasing of parks in the County by using population trends and projections. It also considers what types of parks and recreation facilities are most appropriate in individual communities based on public input.

The Recreation Master Plan will be used to create a long-range financially feasible plan for the identification and acquisition of land for recreational purposes. The plan will include criteria for, and priority ranking of, lands for acquisition and development. It will consider existing and potential funding sources as well as programs for implementation and capital improvements for future parks and recreation facilities.

Master Plan Public Outreach: 

  • Throughout 2020, numerous site visits, public workshops, and interviews and focus groups were held to collect qualitative data.  
  • During the same timeframe, surveys were mailed to select households and a web-based survey platform was available to collect information about current levels of service. The statistically representative survey received 431 responses and the on-line survey platform collected 560 responses.

Other Recreation Planning Efforts