San Joaquin County is taking a major step toward the future of its parks, open spaces, and recreational facilities with the development of a comprehensive Ten-Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
Earlier this winter, the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors approved a contract with Design Workshop, a nationally recognized planning and design firm, to lead the effort. The plan will guide long-term investments and priorities across the county’s Parks and Recreation system, including Micke Grove Zoo, over the next decade .
County officials describe the master plan as a once-in-a-decade opportunity to create a shared vision that aligns recreational growth with equity, access, and community engagement. According to Parks Administrator Ashika Lal, the plan will serve as a strategic roadmap to help ensure that parks and recreation services continue to meet the evolving needs of residents throughout San Joaquin County .
The Ten-Year Master Plan is expected to address a wide range of interconnected issues, including recreational programming, environmental stewardship, maintenance needs, and long-term sustainability. It will also establish clear priorities for facility improvements, future park development, and potential parkland acquisitions, ensuring transparency in how resources are allocated .
Design Workshop brings more than five decades of experience in park system planning, with a portfolio that includes county-level projects across the western United States. In California alone, the firm has contributed to park master plans in Placer, Mariposa, Santa Barbara, and Nevada counties. For the San Joaquin County effort, Design Workshop will be supported by a team of specialized partners, including Zoo Solutions for zoo operations expertise, Citygate Associates for public facilities funding strategies, and Bureau Veritas for facilities condition assessments .
Anna Laybourn, Principal-In-Charge at Design Workshop, emphasized the long-term importance of the initiative, noting that the plan will help the county responsibly manage resources, expand recreational offerings, and adapt to changing demands while prioritizing stewardship for future generations .
Community engagement is expected to play a key role as the planning process moves forward. Residents will have opportunities to share input and help shape the future of parks and recreation in San Joaquin County.
For more information about the Ten-Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan, residents can contact San Joaquin County Parks and Recreation at (209) 953-8800 or by email at [email protected] .