Lacey mulls adding ‘equity lens’ on Parks, Culture & Recreation Comprehensive Plan Update

Lacey’s Commission on Equity reviewed the updates on the Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation (LPCR) Comprehensive Plan Tuesday, October 24, to add an “equity lens” in line with the city’s upcoming Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategic plan.

Lacey Parks, Culture and Recreation Director Jen Burbidge said the LCPR is being updated every six years to evaluate Lacey’s park systems and to address the public’s current needs.

“These plans need to overlap,” said Burbidge. “We need to include insights and language from the DEI strategic plan to the LPCR Comprehensive Plan.”

The Commission on Equity focused on adding equity, culture, and social needs to the existing strategic goals of the LPCR Comprehensive Plans. 

Updates that the commission made are italicized, aimed at strengthening the city’s goal of being a welcoming and inclusive community:

• “Develop a high-quality, equitable, diversified parks, culture, and recreation system where physical, financial, and social barriers to use are eliminated, and that includes unique facilities, events, and recreation and cultural programs that encourage social interaction, cultivate community spirit, strengthen the livability of Lacey, and meet community needs.”
• “Prioritize Parks, Culture and Recreation projects and facilities, identify corresponding current and future funding sources, leverage investments and partnerships, and maintain Lacey’s eligibility for grant funding.”
• “Utilize sustainable systems and practices that ensure the environmental, economic, social, and cultural needs and desires of future generations will not be compromised.”

Other strategic goals remained as they were. The commission also discussed the new and more concise version of the proposed vision of the LPCR Comprehensive plan, which reads:

“Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation creates exceptional events, experiences, and environments that delight, educate and inspire the human spirit, connecting people and building a strong, healthy community.”

The Commission on Equity initially reviewed the public’s input in the LPCR Comprehensive Plan during their April 25 meeting.

The continuous updates in the LPCR Comprehensive Plan help the city to be eligible and competitive for grant funding.