The Parks and Recreation Department has kicked off their first ever Parks and Recreation Master Plan! This comprehensive process will ultimately provide guidance and policy direction to the Department, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and the Governing Body. 

Stakeholder and public engagement is essential and during this process we will host a number of opportunities for the public to participate through Focus Group meetings and Open Houses. This input will provide a foundation for understanding and responding to the parks and recreation needs of our community to strategically develop a shared vision for our future.

The components to this process include:

• Demographics Study
• Community Engagement 
• Needs Assessment Survey
• Recreation and Programming Overview
• Facility Asset Inventory and Condition Assessment
• Level of Service
• Mapping of Assets
• Capital Project List
• Visioning
• Implementation

As a part of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan process, we are looking for community engagement and feedback. In June, we invited various stakeholders to take part in a series of focus groups sessions. These focus groups included athletic associations, school districts, library, non-profits, faith based organizations, civic organizations, seniors, students, general parks and recreation users and staff, and other city departments. . 

These focus groups allowed individuals and organizations the opportunity to discuss all aspects of Shawnee Parks and Recreation – facilities, amenities, programs, open space, trails, and sports.

The discussions from these groups will be reported to the Parks and Recreation Steering Committee, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and the City Council to help make the guiding recommendations for the future of the Parks and Recreation Department.

If you have any questions regarding the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, contact us at [email protected] or at (913) 742-7402.

• Neil Holman  Parks and Recreation Director 
• Tonya Lecuru Parks and Recreation Deputy Director 
• Caitlin Gard  Assistant City Manager 
• Jamie Borgman Park and Recreation Advisory Board Member 
• Chris Winn Community Life Church Lead Pastor 
• Doug Hite  Johnson County Parks and Recreation Liaison 
• Denise Reilly Special Populations Advisor
• Kevin Fern Visit Shawnee Executive Director 
• Brad Nielsen Ward 1 Representative
• Kristin Chapin Ward 2 Representative
• Vanessa Vaughn-West Ward 3 Representative
• Doug Waltman Ward 4 Representative
• Jennifer Gunby Resident
• Tracy Jarrett Resident

Imagine Shawnee's purpose statement is "Inspiring our community to create a shared vision for Shawnee's future".