Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship, on assignment for the South Burlington Other Paper
As South Burlington continues to grow, city leaders in the Recreation & Parks Department are taking a closer look at where residents live, play and connect with nature.
Last January, city officials launched a yearlong effort to develop Parks and Open Spaces Master Plans. They hope to finish the project by January.
They are using mapping technology and community feedback to figure out which areas are underserved by parks, what spaces need more protection and how to manage land as the population grows.
“As we are adding more housing, more households, more families, we need more public recreational spaces that are close to those spaces,” said Kelsey Peterson, senior city planner. “We are planning for a growing population, but we also need to be planning for a high quality of life.”
The city is responding to a real need for housing, especially multi-unit developments, Peterson said. She noted that many housing projects can be built within already-developed areas, which avoids clearing untouched “greenfield” land.
Peterson explained that just under half of South Burlington’s land is already developed or could be developed. The other 51% is conserved through regulation, private conservation or legal protections.
The plan doesn’t affect that balance. Instead, its focus is how to best use the existing conserved land.
“Of those areas, how do we manage them into the future to keep them a good habitat for wildlife and public recreation spaces, or both?” Peterson said. “It’s not really changing the balance; it’s more about making the plan for the areas.”
The plan is actually two integrated efforts: one focused on parks and recreation and the other on natural open spaces. Together, these master plans will guide how the city maintains, expands and manages outdoor spaces in a way that supports both the environment and residents’ quality of life.
Adam Matth, the city’s recreation director, sees this planning effort as a game-changer for South Burlington.
“This project will benefit the community in multiple ways, but the largest is that it is building a plan for our recreation and open spaces in line with the changing demographics and needs of the community,” Matth said. “Utilizing projections to not only meet the short-term needs, one to five years, but also building out a plan for five to 10 years.”
The process is designed to be inclusive and forward thinking, said Silken Kershner, the city’s transportation and open spaces project M=manager.
Kershner says that combining the two master plans allows for a broader conversation with the community and a more thorough understanding of what residents need now and in the future.
“Having better foresight of what we want to focus preservation efforts on will equip the city to continue to make positive change,” Kershner said. “It’s always exciting to gain insight regarding what our community wants and needs and be able to create actionable goals to accomplish that.”
While the master plan is still in development, city officials say the process is designed to be broad and flexible. That means they’re looking at the big picture now, but more specific recommendations and projects will come as the plan is finalized.
Essentially, this initiative is about balance, not only between housing and conservation but also between today’s needs and tomorrow’s vision, Peterson said.
“What it boils down to is, citywide, what do we already have, what do we need going into the future and how are we going to potentially make those things happen,” she said.
To give your input on the project, visit the survey on the project’s website or email skershner@southburlingtonvt.gov with any questions.