Park Commission and Recreation Board Talk About Master Plan
Vol. III, No. 235 - Adoption of the Plan Moves Closer
This past Wednesday, the Troy Board of Park Commissioners and the Troy Recreation Board met for a joint session to discuss the future of Troy’s parks and recreation system. The focus of the meeting was the City of Troy’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan — a long-term guide outlining how to manage, maintain, and improve the city’s 26 parks and recreation facilities. This was the boards’ final review before formal adoption of the plan, giving members a chance to discuss priorities, infrastructure, staffing, and public feedback.
The Master Plan was developed with help from American Structurepoint and Legacy Sports Group, who led the community outreach process. Consultants met with sports groups, attended local events, and conducted an online survey that gathered 882 responses. Data from the survey showed that Troy residents use their parks often, with more than half reporting a visit within the week before taking the survey. Residents expressed appreciation for the cleanliness and safety of the parks but also identified needs such as newer playgrounds, better accessibility for people with disabilities, and more reliable restroom facilities.
Consultants also compared Troy’s parks system to national standards from the National Recreation and Parks Association. Their analysis found Troy has one park for every 1,041 residents — a strong ratio compared to the national median of 2,071 residents per park in similar-size communities. This shows that Troy has invested heavily in parkland, but it also means existing facilities require significant upkeep. The parks department currently employs only 13 full-time staff, about 57 percent of the staffing level of comparable cities. The plan recommends that Troy prioritize maintaining and updating existing parks over acquiring new land.
Much discussion centered on Duke Park, Troy’s largest and most active sports facility. The consultants presented three options for improvement. Option 1A, a full redesign and expansion, was identified as the preferred path forward. Estimated costs range between $6.7 million and $15.1 million depending on design and phasing. The proposal would expand the park to the north and south, add up to seven new baseball and softball fields, and several new rectangular fields for soccer and other sports.
Board members discussed whether to phase the work to manage costs and construction impact. They also considered how to handle traffic during major tournaments. Several members said that tournament congestion on Riverside Drive already creates problems for nearby neighborhoods. The boards agreed that a traffic study and secondary access road should be part of any major redesign. By the end of the conversation, members voted to recommend that city staff issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Option 1A, using a phased construction approach.
Maintenance of existing facilities was another key topic. At Miami Shores Golf Club, the irrigation system — now nearly 50 years old — leaks frequently and struggles to keep turf conditions consistent during dry periods. The plan estimates a $2.5 million cost to replace the system. The boards agreed to prioritize that project due to its direct effect on course quality and water efficiency.
The Troy Aquatic Park also needs major repairs. The Recreation Board voted to seek bids for a $1.7 million maintenance project focused on the facility’s mechanical systems, including heat pumps and filters. The work does not include expansion. The Master Plan notes that the aquatic park may eventually need a $4.2 million expansion to handle crowding during the summer season, but both boards agreed that current repairs should come first.
The Joe Reardon Skate Park was also on the agenda. It remains one of Troy’s busiest parks and home to an active community group, Troy City Skatepark United (TCSU). TCSU has developed its own plan to renovate the park using private fundraising. The Master Plan encourages the city to formalize a partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding or similar agreement. Both boards voted to support the project by committing to provide basic infrastructure like lighting, seating, and restrooms. Their decision aims to show city support and help the group attract donations.
To strengthen system sustainability, the plan suggests repurposing or selling underused parkland. Six parks were identified for possible review because of overlapping service areas. The boards understood the reasoning but took no action to close or sell any parks. Members agreed that affected neighborhoods must be consulted before any decisions are made.
By the end of the meeting, the boards approved several actions. They supported releasing an RFP for the Duke Park redesign, but, the boards decided not to approve the Master Plan that evening. Instead, they asked for minor corrections and the inclusion of final comments from the discussion.
A vote on adoption will take place at the February 3 meeting. Members also agreed not to pursue a standalone splash pad for now by not making it a high priority. Consultants and staff explained that with a projected cost of $2 million and high maintenance needs, it would be better at this time to direct resources toward repairing and upgrading existing facilities first. This is disappointing given the public’s desire to have such a facility, given that the public stated their desire to have this amenity in the city’s 2024 Comprehensive Plan. Fundamentally, the discussion around the splash pad seemed to indicate that there are too many maintenance needs that haven’t been addressed in the past to add more to the plate.
The joint meeting reflected a practical approach to park planning. Board members balanced ambition with responsibility, focusing on keeping Troy’s recreation system strong, efficient, and accessible for years to come.
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