In 2023, Brandstetter Carroll Inc. updated and replaced Dayton’s 2003 Recreation and Cultural Services Master Plan—also developed by BCI—with a forward-looking 5-Year Strategic Plan and Parks Needs Assessment. Rooted in extensive public input, the plan offers a 10-year vision for parks and recreation that addresses evolving community needs, including a declining population and aging infrastructure. It recommends updates to the department’s staffing structure, job roles, and organizational alignment to ensure readiness for the future. The plan also outlines the operational and capital funding required to achieve its goals, including a roadmap toward CAPRA accreditation within five years. Priorities for facility upgrades and new development were established using a data-driven approach, supported by a detailed, phased action plan. The strategy builds on past planning efforts to maintain continuity and align with the City’s broader objectives.
