Sam Anderson

This equity-based strategic system plan for the City of Bemidji's Parks and Recreation Department focuses on enhancing recreation facilities and programs through extensive public engagement, with 'Accessibility' identified as a core strategic direction. Key pillars include expanding year-round recreation access, maintaining high-quality facilities, prioritizing user-driven park amenities, ensuring equitable safety for all trail users, acquiring land for crucial connections, and leveraging partnerships. The plan also details programming strategies for accessible and low-cost opportunities, alongside operational strategies for maintenance, staffing, and capital investments.

This Equity-Based Strategic System Plan for the City of Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department serves as a roadmap for developing and managing recreation facilities and programs. Driven by extensive public engagement, the plan prioritizes expanding year-round recreation access and achieving equity across physical ability, distance, cost, time, and transportation. Key strategic areas include maintaining high-quality facilities, investing in user-driven amenities, enhancing trail safety, acquiring land for connections, strengthening partnerships, and implementing a comprehensive wayfinding and marketing plan. The plan's vision is to position Bemidji as an award-winning leader in parks and recreation, sustainably improving community health and vitality.

This Comprehensive Plan for the City of Bemidji provides a legal framework for land use regulation, including zoning and growth control, and presents a unified vision for the city's future. It establishes goals and policies addressing economic vitality, accessible housing, community safety, environmental preservation, and overall character. Key focus areas encompass land use, downtown development, economic regional center, community facilities and services, housing, transportation, active and healthy community initiatives, and natural resource management.