Hanover County approves 2035 Master Plan to expand parks access

HANOVER COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Hanover County officials have approved a master plan that outlines the trajectory for the parks system over the next decade, including the development of several parks in the county.

The Board of Supervisors on Friday, Dec. 12, unanimously adopted its Parks and Recreation department's 2035 Master Plan aimed at modernizing facilities, expanding park access and fostering partnerships and regional collaboration.

Parks and Recreation director Aaron Reidmiller presented the master plan, which builds on the multi-year effort Envision Hanover, on Friday night. Reidmiller said the initiative was adopted in 2010 and has since been updated to reflect population growth, demographic changes, new facilities and programs and shifting trends.

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Per the plan, Hanover County currently provides 6.1 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents, below the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) benchmark of 10 acres per 1,000 residents. Based on the county's population of 115,309, the shortfall represents a deficit of more than 443 acres.

The NRPA benchmark also suggests an investment range of $90 to $120 per resident. Hanover invests about $48.50 per resident annually in parks and recreation operations.

Communities of similar size to Hanover typically have four to six recreation centers, the plan said. Hanover currently has one: the Montpelier Recreation Center and Library.

Park expansion efforts outlined in the plan include the development of three to six neighborhood parks in densely populated areas, one to three community parks per community needs, a 100-acre regional park and an indoor Eastern Recreation Center.

The neighborhood parks will range from 1 to 20 acres, while community parks will span 20 to 99 acres. The developments will rely heavily on land acquisition and funding opportunities over the next 10 years, per Reidmiller.

Prior to the board's approval, Hanover Parks and Recreation held seven public input sessions for each of the magisterial districts. The department also conducted online surveys and received an abundance of community feedback.

Based on the gathered data, the top desired facilities at the parks are recreation centers, walking or biking trails, aquatic facilities, picnic areas and playgrounds. Community members are also most interested in archery, walking and hiking and fitness classes.