Parks and Recreation Advisory Boards are groups typically established by local governments to provide guidance and recommendations on matters related to parks and recreation. They are established by passing ordinances to define the purpose, authority, and structure of the board. Bylaws provide detailed operational procedures, meeting schedules, and specific duties. These boards act in an advisory capacity only and are commonly responsible for:
- Making recommendations on policies, programs, and projects related to parks and recreation
- Participating in long-term planning, identifying future needs and opportunities, and assisting in the creation and updating of parks and recreation master plans
- Facilitating public input and engagement to ensure community voices are included in the decision-making process
- Evaluating existing recreational programs and services, recommending improvements or new initiatives
- Providing input on budget proposals and advocating for appropriate funding and resources to support initiatives
- Advising on maintenance and operational needs of programs and facilities
A good example of such a board is the City of Saline, Michigan’s Parks Commission. The City of Saline is comparable to the City of Plymouth, as according to the 2020 census, its population is 8,948 and the size is 4.41 square miles. If interested click on this LINK to get to the Saline’s Parks Commission website, and this LINK takes you to their meeting minutes which I recommend you review.