A sports complex, senior programs and staffing, as well as maintaining and improving existing parks, were a few of the recurring themes that surfaced during the community engagement phase of Pittsylvania County’s update of the 2010 Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

The findings, compiled since the project began in November 2023, were presented to the Board of Supervisors during its July 16, 2024, work session by Berry Dunn McNeil & Parker LLC (BerryDunn), the consultant partnering with the County to update the 2010 Master Plan.

BerryDunn, a full-service consulting firm that works in the areas of parks, recreation and libraries, conducted four stages of public engagement, beginning with gathering information from staff, stakeholders and community members along with identifying key ideas and themes.

In all, there were 1,465 community engagement participants through July, and BerryDunn employed focus groups, public meetings, interviews, technology-based outreach and pop-up events, such as obtaining feedback via an amenities board at the Chatham Christmas Parade, to gauge what residents are looking for when it comes to parks and recreational offerings in Pittsylvania County.

BerryDunn engaged with 262 community members and partners during its focus group sessions held in January and received 343 responses to its community needs assessment survey. BerryDunn also received direct input from 311 middle and high school students in Pittsylvania County that included in-person, in-school visits.

Other points of access included a social pinpoint site on the County’s website with 342 unique visitors. 10 leadership interviews and engagements at event vendor tables with 197 responses.

Key findings include:

• Older adults represent the largest demographic in Pittsylvania County with 39.2% being age 55 and up.
• Those with incomes ranging from $45,000 to $100,000 are the most frequent users of the Ringgold Rail Trail and Wayside Park, both being the most popular attractions in the County.
• Community engagement participants cited land and opportunity, youth sports programs, Wayside Park and the Ringgold Trail as some of the County’s strengths.
• Participants said the County’s size, lack of programming outside of youth sports and funding and staffing represented some of the County’s challenges when it comes to parks and recreation.
• New facilities desired include outdoor pickleball courts, boat ramps and water access, a local sports complex, diamond and rectangular fields, playgrounds, gymnasium, fitness center, skate park and bike paths and trails.
• For programming, engagement participants seek exercise and fitness classes, senior programs and E-sports, outdoor recreational programs, mentoring/life skills programs, shooting sports, special events and fishing programs.
• On the social pinpoint site on the County’s website, recreational facilities generated the most comments on the idea wall.
• The top three programs desired by Pittsylvania County middle and high school students were athletic leagues, sports camps, community events and outdoor recreational programs.
• The top three facilities desired by Pittsylvania County middle and high school students were an indoor/outdoor aquatic facility, improved park amenities, playgrounds, athletic field complex.
• 55% of survey participants have visited a County parks and recreational facility during the last 12 months, but 82% have not registered for a program offered by Parks and Recreation during the same time period.
• Lack of awareness was the most prevalent reason for not visiting County parks and recreational facilities, with distance and lack of restrooms also ranking in the top three.
• Preferred methods of communication about County parks and recreational activities are social media, County website and the County newsletter.
• Recurring themes that arose during the engagement process were a desire for additional facilities and amenities, to include a sports complex, as well as additional programs such as senior and teen programs. Additional themes called for maintaining and improving existing parks and increase connectivity between trails and bike paths.

BerryDunn conducted an inventory of the County’s facilities and found that most parks are at school sites, there are many playgrounds in the system and the facilities are well maintained. However, facilities lack lighted fields and sports courts, and the County should consider adding additional trees and ornamentals.

After a visioning session with project team members, a draft of the updated Master Plan is expected to go before the Board in the fall, followed by the adoption of the final document. The final Master Plan will include goals and objectives for the County’s Department of Parks and Recreation.

According to BerryDunn, the Master Plan will include a five-year focus on operations, a 10-year focus on capital and a 20-year strategic vision.

“I am pleased and excited with the results of the public participation phase of our Master Plan update, as it gives us a roadmap for the programs and facilities that our citizens are interested in. I am also impressed with the level of participation from our residents and stakeholders, of all ages, as it highlights their interest in parks and recreation in Pittsylvania County. I am ready to move to the next phase of this project where we can map out action steps needed to make this plan a reality. I also want to thank all those who took the time to participate in this project and to know that they are now part of the future of parks and recreation in Pittsylvania County,” said Justin Price, Director, Pittsylvania County Parks and Recreation.

The formation of the County’s Department of Parks and Recreation in 2011 is a direct result of the original 2010 Master Plan. The development of the County’s Community Center, which provides rental space for a multitude of events and programs, is also an outgrowth of the 2010 plan, as are its robust youth sports programs and award-winning parks.

The total cost for the master plan update is $102,536 with funding provided by a grant from the Danville Regional Foundation ($25,000), a grant from the Department of Forestry ($23,971.55) and fiscal 2023 carryover funds of $55,000 from the Pittsylvania County Department of Parks and Recreation.