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QUALITY OF PLACE

Parks & Recreation

Parks and Rec Master Plan Updated

After nearly a year of work that
included several rounds of public input
meetings and an online survey, the city
of Van Buren City Council unanimously
voted to adopt its updated Parks and
Recreation master plan in June 2025.
“The Parks & Recreation Commission
held months of meetings gathering
public input to craft the plan,” Mayor Joe
Hurst said. “We found through this effort
that parks are an important segment of
quality of life for our citizens.”
Public input was also given through
an online survey that was available on
the city’s website and social media
account. In addition, the survey was sent
out in water bills throughout the city to
get as much participation as possible.
The survey received 1,317 responses.
Survey responses indicated that families
participate in a variety of sports and The recently opened Skate Park at Louis Peer Memorial Park draws skaters from all over the
activities, with hiking as the top choice. River Valley region. Artist rendering courtesy of Van Buren Parks & Recreation Department.
Nearly half of the respondents claimed a first, second and third choice as to were close contenders for respondents’
exercise/sports and outdoor time as which parks should be prioritized for reasons for visiting the park. When asked
their primary motive for visiting a park. improvements, and the results were: Dr. which needs were most important,
The Van Buren Parks and Recreation Louis Peer Memorial Park first, Legacy residents voted to develop a community
Commission members were also asked to Valley Park second, Van Zandt Park third, center with gym, fitness equipment,
prioritize which park should receive the and Field of Dreams Sports Complex and indoor courts, and building a new
greatest investment of money. Members and Freedom Park tied for fourth. swimming pool, diving, and aquatics
were given three dots, designating
Swimming pools and playgrounds facility.

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