Hannah Meritt, 5, comes down a slide at Bergfeld Park in May 2021. (Tyler Morning Telegraph File)

Tyler Parks and Recreation is giving residents extra time to share their thoughts on the future of the city’s green spaces.

“We want their feedback and their input. That tells us what they want to see in the next five to 10 years,” said Leanne Robinette, Director of Parks and Recreation. “It is a roadmap for the future of where we spend our funding and why.”

The deadline for an online survey on the Tyler Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan has been extended to Tuesday, Dec. 31, offering the community a final chance to weigh in on the vision for parks, trails and recreational opportunities.

The Open Space Master Plan, adopted in 2019, was originally designed to guide development and improvements from 2020 to 2030. The plan is getting a five-year update because the city is way ahead of schedule.

Instead of the original 2020-2030 timeline, the plan will shift to focus on 2025–2035.

The survey collects community input on playgrounds, trails, athletic fields and other amenities to enhance city parks, recreation areas and open spaces. This feedback helps the team prioritize projects for the next 10 years.

When the survey was conducted in 2019, pickleball wasn’t even on the radar. It’s not mentioned anywhere in the plan, despite its massive growth in popularity worldwide. This is a clear sign that it’s time to revisit the plan, talk to residents and gather fresh input, Robinette said.

“It’s important for us to make sure that we are following the roadmap our citizens want, along with also what the parks department needs to maintain,” Robinette said. “That’s how we prioritize funding, based on what our citizens want to see, and what they feel we’re missing.”

While many residents prefer to share feedback through calls, emails or Facebook comments, the master plan drives decision-making. That’s why it’s crucial for residents to complete the Master Plan survey. Their input helps capture data and justify future projects and timelines.

“With their feedback, we will be able to ensure our parks reflect the diverse needs and priorities of residents now and for future generations,” Robinette said.

Several projects are on the horizon, including an assessment of Lindsay Park for renovations, upgrades to Golden Road Park, and development of Stewart Park as the trailhead for the Legacy Trail extension. This year, Winters Park should be finished.

The next big focus will be on the sports fields. While it’s not as flashy as installing a new playground or splash pad, it’s crucial to ensure the fields are well-maintained, safe and up to the standards for the community.

Residents are encouraged to complete the City of Tyler Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Survey 2025 at bit.ly/COTParksMasterPlanSurvey. All participants will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win an Echo Dot.

“We want to work with our community to know what future they envision for our parks, that’s why it’s important to us to extend the survey and allow more people time to provide input,” Robinette said. “We want as much feedback as we can get from our citizens.”

For more information about the survey and the Tyler Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan, visit TylerParksandRec.com or call 903-531-1370.