Midwest City launches parks and trails study

By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon

The Midwest City Council recently approved a contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., for up to $294,800 to develop a comprehensive Parks and Trails Master Plan.

City officials say the plan will help prioritize improvements across the city’s parks and trail system and ensure that community input guides investment decisions.

Josh Ryan, Communications and Recreation Director, emphasized the need for a professional, data-driven plan.

“We have a lot planned, and we need their help to get this stuff analyzed and get started on these projects and have something tangible that we can look at and say the community helped us to come forward with this, and this is what the community wants,” he said.

Garrett Scott of Kimley-Horn spoke to the council about the scope of the project.

“We would look at each individual park and assess park to park… There will be extensive outreach, lots of data, and a priority list with some backing behind it as to why these projects are first,” Scott said.

The plan will include system-wide assessments, evaluation of trails and neighborhood parks, and extensive public engagement, both online and in-person.

Ward 2 councilman Pat Byrne believes the city is taking the correct approach towards improving its parks.

“We know that we need to do something about our parks, and we need it to be done professionally, not ward based, but need based and I’m really looking forward to it,” Byrne said.

Council members stressed the importance of reaching residents who are less active in civic life.
“Can you maybe look at different ways to tap [residents] and include them in these conversations, and maybe even utilizing the media?” said Ward 5 councilmember Sara Bana.

Scott said extensive outreach is a key piece of the project. They plan to reach out to residents through a variety of avenues including in-person events, online, neighborhood associations and others.

The council voted unanimously to approve the contract, with a commitment to keep the project moving forward and ensure the community has a strong voice in shaping the future of Midwest City’s parks and trails.