CITY OF MERCED - File #: 26-715

• File #: 26-715
• Version: 1
• Type: Action Items
• Status: Agenda Ready
• File created: 8/14/2026
• In control: Recreation & Parks Commission
• Title: SUBJECT: Review of the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Master Plan and Consider Recommendation to City Council REPORT IN BRIEF Review Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan, including plan's findings, recommendations, priorities, and implementation strategies, and provide feedback and direction to staff in advance to City Council for final consideration. RECOMMENDATION Adopt a Motion: 1. Approving the Parks, Recreation & Open Space Master Plan as presented; and 2. Recommending Council consideration of adopting the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan Or: 3. Recommending consideration of revisions to the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan

Report Prepared by: Christopher Jensen, Director, Parks & Community Services
Title
SUBJECT: Review of the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Master Plan and Consider Recommendation to City Council

REPORT IN BRIEF
Review Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan, including plan's findings, recommendations, priorities, and implementation strategies, and provide feedback and direction to staff in advance to City Council for final consideration.

RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Motion:
1. Approving the Parks, Recreation & Open Space Master Plan as presented; and
2. Recommending Council consideration of adopting the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan
Or:
3. Recommending consideration of revisions to the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan
Body
DISCUSSION
Background

The City of Merced's 2026-2036 Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Master Plan represents the City's first comprehensive update to its parks planning framework since adoption of the 2004 Parks and Open Space Master Plan.

Over the past two decades, Merced has experienced significant population growth, changing recreational interests, increasing demand for youth and family programming, new expectations for accessibility and inclusion, and growing pressure on aging park infrastructure. During that same period, the City's park system expanded without corresponding long-term funding structures, maintenance standards, administrative systems, and dedicated resources necessary to sustain the system at the level expected by the community.

The PROS Master Plan was developed to address these conditions and establish a comprehensive 10-year framework for the sustainable development, maintenance, operation, and delivery of parks and community services between 2026 and 2035. The Plan examines the City's existing park system, recreation programs, facilities, open spaces, financial practices, partnerships, staffing and operations, while also identifying opportunities and priorities for the...