August 1, 2023 |City of Lynn, City Services, News, Parks, Resources

City of Lynn Seeks Input on Open Space & Recreation Plan

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The City of Lynn is updating its Open Space and Recreation Plan, which sets a seven-year vision for how to best support the community’s parks and recreational amenities. The Plan will include an inventory of existing open space, conservation, and recreation resources, identify current community needs and priorities, and outline the next steps for Lynn’s green spaces.  

The City is encouraging residents to share their input through two methods: a community-wide survey and a virtual public forum. Residents will be able to help Lynn plan for the future of our parks by providing their vision for green spaces, such as revamped amenities and additional programming. 

The Open Space and Recreation Plan survey, registration link for the public forum, and project updates can be found on the Planning Department’s website, LynninCommon.com.

Having a current Open Space and Recreation Plan is a requirement of many state grants, and the City’s current version, published in 2016, will expire soon. A Community Planning grant from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities has made it possible for the City to create an updated version.

Through thoughtful planning, public outreach and participation, the City is aiming to develop a new document that performs as a tool to maintain and enhance the benefits of the community’s green spaces and recreational resources, as well as promote the health and welfare of residents and the local environment.

“The community has told us consistently that our parks and open spaces need to be a top priority, and that there is a desire for new amenities. This process is a great opportunity to tell us more about what you would like to see at Lynn’s parks in the next seven years.”

Lauren Drago, Associate Planner

With the anticipated growth of the city, the plan and feedback from residents will work to ensure the city identifies and addresses the needs and desires of all residents and guide the city’s park-related work nearing 2030.

“Our objective is to improve green space equity through the accessibility and quality of our city’s green spaces,” said Mayor Jared C. Nicholson. “The plan will ensure our green spaces improve the overall quality of life for all residents; delivering ADA-accessibility and expanding outdoor amenities that better our residents’ mental and physical health. Residents play a key role in shaping the future of our parks and their participation in the survey and public forum is essential for the growth of our city.”

The public forum will be held on August 21st at 5:00pm virtually via Zoom. English and Spanish interpretation will be provided, and other languages can be made available upon request. The survey, in English, Spanish, and Khmer, will be open to the public until the end of the summer.

The City has hired Activitas to assist with the Open Space and Recreation Plan, and staff members from the Mayor’s Office, Planning, Community Development, and Public Works Department are all participating in the plan’s development. The project team will also work with the Parks and Conservation Commissions as the process continues. The plan will be finalized in early 2024.

Residents can take the Open Space and Recreation Plan Survey, register for the public forum, and view project updates on the Planning Department’s website.

The above press release was submitted to us by Mayor Nicholson’s office.