The Department of Parks and Recreation’s Strategic Plan provides a shared vision that inspires and motivates to fulfill the Department’s mission. It establishes our direction, sets priorities and prepares us for the future.
(PDF, 3MB)
View a PDF version of the Arlington County Department of Parks & Recreation Strategic Plan FY 2026-2030(PDF, 3MB)
Objective 1. Ensure equitable access for recreation, play and enjoying nature by adding and improving public spaces. (PSMP-SD1)
[S1] Add at least 30 acres of new public space over the next 10 years. (1.1)
[S2] Utilize level of service as a planning tool to manage public space assets efficiently. (1.2)
[S3] Ensure access to spaces that are intentionally designed to support casual, impromptu use and connection with nature. (1.3)
[S4] Explore opportunities to expand or add recreational facilities and improve efficiency. (1.4)
[S5] Make better use of existing public spaces through system-wide planning and investments in facilities. (1.5)
[S6] Provide more support services and amenities for public space users. (1.6)
[S7] Strive for universal access. (1.7)
[S8] Ensure and enhance access to the Potomac River, Four Mile Run and their tributaries, while improving the tree, canopy, native vegetation and other natural resources along waterways. (1.8)
[S9] Strive for a more attractive and sustainable public space system. (1.9)
[S10] Enhance spaces with temporary uses and "pop-up" programming. (1.10)
Objective 2: Improve the network of trails to, within and between public spaces to increase access and enhance connectivity. (PSMP-SD2)
[S1] Expand Arlington's network of connected multi-use trails. (2.1)
[S2] Improve existing trails that currently do not meet design standards or user demands. (2.2)
[S3] Ensure trails function for a range of users. (2.3)
[S4] Provide or make better connections to hiking trails. (2.4)
[S5] Develop and implement a consistent signage and wayfinding system. (2.5)
[S6] Better coordinate planning for and management of trails. (2.6)
Objective 3: Plan and adjust public spaces for the needs of a growing and changing population, balancing natural resource protection, recreation needs and equity.
[S1] Begin near-term implementation of park master plans, including Metro Market Square, Gateway Park, Quincy Park, Three Urban Parks, Drew Park, and the Arlington Boathouse.
[S2] Explore opportunities to expand capacity for athletic fields and courts.
[S3] Explore new opportunities for space sharing with other public and private entities as a way to extend recreation capacity.
[S4] Look for opportunities to preserve and expand natural resource areas through the CIP process.
[S5] Identify and apply the best approaches to advance equity-focused park system improvements using data-driven tools.
Objective 4: Plan, design, build and maintain a sustainable system of public spaces for enjoyment of nature and recreation.
[S1] Incorporate best management practices for sustainability.
[S2] Integrate the allocation of appropriate maintenance budget during planning and design of new projects.
[S3] Improve process for input from staff and community throughout planning, designing and building new assets and/or amenities.
[S4] Incorporate recommendations for the FNRP.
[S5] Create innovative green experiences and spaces throughout the County.
[S6] Apply biophilic principles in DPR policies and practices.
Objective 5: Ensure public spaces and facilities are operated and maintained efficiently and to defined standards.
[S1] Explore integrating privately owned public spaces within existing buildings to expand community access.
[S2] Maintain an inventory, strategy and cost estimates for renovating or replacing park and recreation assets.
Objective 1: Deliver excellent programs and services that respond to community needs.
[S1] Identify trends and respond to demand to provide a wide variety of programming for people of all ages, abilities and interests.
[S2] Review and ensure annual programs and services plan are responsive to community priorities and supports accreditation standards.
[S3] Evaluate effectiveness of partnerships/collaborations with other agencies, organizations, or individuals and ensure alignment with County Board priorities.
[S4] Utilize equity frameworks and data-informed decision-making to ensure successful program planning, coordination and evaluation.
[S5] Ensure program procedures include guidelines on safe interactions.
Objective 2: Address recreation needs of a growing population.
[S1] Provide expanded aquatics and fitness opportunities.
[S2] Develop and provide community recreation opportunities at all centers.
[S3] Apply athletic field allocation guidelines and analyze field and courts utilization.
[S4] Evaluate and find ways to maximize uses of space.
[S5] Enhance customer service processes to keep pace with growing demand.
Objective 3: Ensure program offerings continue to respond to changing user needs. (PSMP-SD5)
[S1] Regularly evaluate program demand and adjust offerings. (5.1)
[S2] Implement best practices in program life cycles to maintain a culture of quality program delivery. (5.2)
[S3] Periodically evaluate each program's participation, finances and outcomes. (5.3)
[S4] Periodically evaluate which programs are using indoor and outdoor spaces to identify needs for additional space and opportunities to reallocate space. (5.4)
[S5] Continue to strengthen the County's commitment to improving public health and wellness through public space programming. (5.5)
[S6] Use programming to activate parks and public spaces. (5.6)
Objective 4: Increase community awareness of parks and recreation resources.
[S1] Create systems with capacity to successfully and equitably market departmental programs, services and vision to reach different populations or new user groups.
[S2] Produce accurate, timely, transparent and easy to understand internal and external communications ensuring accessibility through clear language and translation into the primary languages spoken in the community.
[S3] Expand and improve external and internal communication methods and innovative technology applications.
[S4] Partner with community organizations, local non-profits, and other County departments to spread awareness of DPR programs.
Objective 1: Conserve, enhance, expand and acquire natural and historical resources.
[S1] Protect, expand, and connect high-value natural lands through acquisition, restoration, conversion, and/or conservation.
[S2] Conduct regular inventories and census of natural resources and historic resources to understand trends and needs for conservation.
[S3] Utilize feedback from natural resource and historic staff in park planning, development, and maintenance.
[S4] Continue transition from reactive to proactive maintenance of publicly owned natural assets.
Objective 2: Conserve and improve tree canopy.
[S1] Integrate tree canopy maintenance resources into park development projects and upgrades.
[S2] Expand tree canopy in collaboration with other landowners informed by urban tree canopy assessment and on-the-ground plot data.
[S3] Strengthen and implement policies to conserve tree canopy.
[S4] Integrate tree maintenance policies and processes County-wide.
[S5] Increase collaborations, outreach, education, and programs to expand tree canopy on private land.
Objective 3: Advance historical and natural resources education and interpretation.
[S1] Promote nature centers as great places to visit, learn, and team-build through programs, pricing and marketing.
[S2] Ensure nature and historical center management and facility maintenance complements and aligns with department-wide processes and benchmarks.
[S3] Provide a greater variety of environmental and historical programs and experiences in a greater variety of spaces to reach more diverse audience.
Objective 4: Continue to develop and maintain internal and external partnerships to improve natural resource management.
[S1] Continue to develop and maintain outreach programs to promote internal and external stakeholder stewardship of natural resources, volunteer, and partnership opportunities.
[S2] Formalize public and private partnerships that support sustainable park and recreation spaces and experiences.
[S3] Continue to foster existing and new partnerships with volunteers, civic groups, and businesses and continually improve processes and programs to leverage their contributions to support natural resource management goals.
Objective 5: Strengthen sustainability policies. (PSMP-SD6.2)
[S1] Maintain and continually refine department’s natural resources management and environmental stewardship policy.
[S2] Integrate a native plant requirement for public and private sites to expand use and retention of local and regionally native plants. (FNRP 3.1.6)
[S3] Implement and continually improve best management practices (BMPs) and standard operating procedures (SOP’s) that promote environmental responsibility (FNRP 4.6.3) and ‘reduce negative impacts to constituents, natural areas, and wildlife.’ (FNRP 4.6.2)
[S4] Ensure that staff are consistently trained and equipped to implement sustainable, environmentally responsible operations.
[S5] Educate the public about DPR’s sustainable policies and practices, particularly those that can be applied by members of the public on properties that they manage.
Objective 1: Prioritize equity in our planning of programs and public spaces.
[S1] Advance access and foster belonging for underserved communities through data-driven outreach and inclusive engagement of underrepresented groups.
[S2] Regularly update programming with equity-based approaches to reflect shifts in community demographics using current, reliable data.
[S3] Foster an environment where DPR staff are empowered/encouraged to conduct outreach efforts.
[S5] Conduct fee reduction outreach and create an easy, efficient fee reduction process for expanded access to programs and services.
[S6] Provide free programming opportunities for the community.
[S7] Foster and provide accessible facilities and experiences.
[S8] Conduct data-driven assessment of non-participants to expand access to programs that better meet their needs.
Objective 2: Improve public engagement
[S1] Implement County’s six-step public engagement guide for mindful and intentional civic engagement.
[S2] Engage residents in volunteer leadership and planning roles while providing education on participation.
Objective 3: Provide opportunities to build community through special events, volunteer opportunities and spaces designed to bring people together.
[S1] Plan special events around community-building objectives such as shared traditions, cultural heritage, embracing diversity, intergenerational connections and community teamwork.
[S2] Provide volunteer opportunities that strengthen community by empowering residents to collaborate, serve and lead.
[S3] Design spaces with the intent of inviting community members to cultivate sense of community.
Objective 4: Enhance fitness, wellness and healthy lifestyle programming and facilities.
[S1] Offer opportunities in physically active recreation and enjoyment of parks and trails to actively promote healthy lifestyles.
[S2] Use policy, programming, marketing and other mechanisms to foster active lifestyles and create sustainable environments for healthy living.
[S3] Offer activities that promote mental well-being and balance, including community arts, nature experiences, and flexible drop-in opportunities.
[S5] Promote wellness by integrating natural and biophilic design into public spaces.
Objective 1: Enhance the fiscal sustainability of Arlington's public spaces. (PSMP-SD 4)
[S1] Work with Arlington Public Schools to maximize availability and stewardship of public spaces. (4.1)
[S2] Work with the National Park Service, NOVA Parks and other federal, state and regional bodies to elevate public awareness and access to their facilities and land in Arlington and ensure consistent experiences. (4.2)
[S3] Support the establishment of non-profit groups or umbrella foundations dedicated to public space advocacy, fundraising and implementation of public spaces and programs. (4.3)
[S4] Support and strengthen the County's volunteer programs for public spaces. (4.4)
[S5] Secure funding to support development and maintenance of public spaces and ensure those public funds are efficiently and wisely spent. (4.5)
[S6] Identify and pursue non-County funding sources to supplement County funds to support capital improvements and programs. (4.6)
Objective 2: Work within annually adopted budget and comply with policies and procedures.
[S1] Ensure operating, and Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) budgets are developed strategically in accordance with industry best practices while ensuring prudent financial responsibility, efficient allocation of resources, and fiscal transparency.
[S2] Promote fiscal accountability by making decisions that balance short-term needs with long-term sustainability to achieve economic stability and intergenerational equity in alignment with the needs and desires of the community it serves.
[S3] Ensure adequate funding for parks maintenance capital projects and field maintenance.
[S4] Maintain and improve the productivity of staff through the development of training materials and opportunities for staff handling the operating budget, CIP, financial reports, and other routine tasks/transactions (i.e. travel, purchasing, fee reductions etc.).
[S5] Create budget communication standards for managers/supervisors.
Objective 3: Maintain and share inventories of programs, services, places and spaces.
[S1] Identify asset inventories to maintain and develop routine replacement cycles, including replacement costs and renovation funding.
[S2] Identify program and service inventories to respond to industry trends and evolving needs within our community.
[S3] Develop systems for routine updates to maintain accuracy of financial and budgetary data.
[S4] Continue to research and identify innovative technology systems to address asset management, fiscal accountability, budget development, and improve overall operational efficiency.
Objective 1: Provide training and professional development opportunities reflecting workforce and operational needs.
[S1] Expand staff exposure to the organizational through cross-training, developmental and acting assignments to strengthen workforce capacity.
[S2] Provide trainings that support positive interactions that build/sustains/nurtures relationship among staff and with customers.
[S3] Identify and implement approaches that cultivate an equity mindset to drive operational excellence.
[S4] Continue to support equitable access to external training for staff to maintain knowledge of emerging trends in their areas of expertise.
[S5] Provide trainings that empowers teams to apply the employee engagement framework to support in their daily interactions and operations.
Objective 2: Provide staff-leadership engagement opportunities and celebrate contributions that drive organizational success.
[S1] Create opportunities for leaders across the department to purposefully engage with staff.
[S2] Create engaging work-related activities that continue to build staff connections that foster collaboration.
[S3] Raise awareness of the merit award process to broaden the pool of nominations.
[S4] Create regular opportunities to celebrate staff achievements.
Objective 3: Develop practices that encourage a safe and healthy work environment.
[S1] Continue to support work arrangements that balance operational needs with employee well-being.
[S2] Encourage staff to integrate wellness into their work environment and actively engage in organizational initiatives that promote health and wellness.
[S3] Continue to build internal and external partnerships (e.g., EOC, DPSCEM, PDD, regional safety experts) for improved safety assessment and response coordination.
[S4] Continue to conduct regular safety audits in programs and facilities across DPR to maintain compliance and address gaps.
[S5] Integrate proactive safety planning into new events and programs, ensuring safety considerations are embedded early in development.
[S6] Continuously monitor and adapt to safety trends, industry developments, and emerging issues to enhance organizational resilience.
Objective 4: Promote and utilize best recruitment, hiring and retention practices.
[S1] Expand recruitment into untapped and specialized talent sources to boost candidate diversity.
[S2] Strengthen and market our workplace culture through engaging job announcements and targeted outreach to diverse talent.
[S3] Optimize onboarding process to create a seamless, welcoming experience from hire through team integration.
[S4] Implement stay interviews to proactively understand employee satisfaction and inform retention strategies.
[S5] Create supervisor resources and career modules to support temporary staff transitioning into permanent roles.
Objective 5: Foster a workplace culture of growth, equity, and engagement.
[S1] Identify key responsibilities and develop processes to support proper documentation and information-sharing for smooth employee transitions and knowledge transfer.
[S2] Continuously evaluate teamwork environment and identify strategies to strengthen employee engagement (meaningfulness, psychological safety, availability) and foster a more positive, growth-oriented work environment.
[S3] Ensure that equity principles (fairness, inclusion, and accessibility) are embedded in workplace culture and decision-making.
[S4] Encourage the use of coaching and mentorship to enhance team culture, improve employee development, and drive organizational success.
[S5] Promote excellent internal and external customer service (CARES).
[S6] Utilize tools and resources that help the organization plan, adapt, learn, and grow through change.