Park and Rec Planning in a New Era with David Barth — November Bonus Episode

On this bonus episode of the podcast, we’re going to be
diving deeper into one of the feature stories from the November
issue of Parks & Recreation magazine, titled, “A
New Approach to Parks and Recreation System Planning.” In this
article, the author — and our guest on today’s
episode — writes about how today’s environment is shifting
our thinking about the future of parks and recreation. 


David Barth is no stranger to park and recreation
planning. He is a registered landscape architect, certified
planner and certified park and recreation professional who
specializes in the planning, design and implementation of the
public realm. He is an expert facilitator and strategic
planner — he has developed park and recreation
system master plans for over 80 communities, as well as led the
planning and design of hundreds of parks and trails across the
country. 


He is also the Principal of Barth Associates, a firm
specializing in parks and recreation system planning, and author
of the new book, “Parks and Recreation System Planning: A New
Approach for Creating Sustainable, Resilient
Communities.” To put it lightly, he
is a well-known name and expert in the
profession. 


Tune in below to learn what park and recreation system
planning is and how Barth got started in this work over 30 years
ago, as well as: 


Why shifts in our society and the various socioeconomic and
environmental issues we’re currently facing are causing a need
for a new approach to parks and recreation system planning.

Why we should replace the traditional linear, narrowly
defined parks and recreation system master planning process with
a more cyclical, open-ended process.

How a thoughtful and nuanced decision-making framework gives
park and recreation professionals the freedom and flexibility to
respond to the issues in their communities.

How this new approach provides the opportunity for
conversation and feedback among key stakeholders and
decision-makers. 

How this new approach will help park and recreation
professionals better serve their communities, as well as meet
their strategic goals.