Spring 2003
PLANS: Brentwood Unveils New Master Plan for Parks
 The
City of Brentwood, a once small agricultural town, experienced a
population explosion during the 1990s, nearly tripling in size from
7,500 to over 23,000. Rapid housing development, loss of open space
and dwindling agricultural land prompted the City to identify ways
to insure a high quality of life for its residents. One crucial
element immediately identified was insuring that first-rate parks
and recreation facilities were incorporated throughout the community.
In 1994, the City prepared a basic park and recreation master plan
that established goals for future park development. In 1999, in
the midst of the population boom, the City established the Park
and Recreation Department. The newly formed department soon realized
that the original master plan did not provide an adequate foundation
for future expansion of the City.
The City brought RRM Design Group on board to develop a new and
more comprehensive master plan for parks, trails and recreation
facilities. Recognizing that the Parks and Recreation Department
was new and in need of direction, RRM was directed to design a philosophical
foundation for the department rather than recommend a list of amenities
and programs.
Prepared in tandem with the General Plan update, the City provided
significant opportunity for public input in the master plan’s
development. Residents participated through a telephone survey and
numerous public workshops and presentations over a two-year period.
Public participation ultimately provided park templates and standards
for the City that reflects the desires of the community.
 A
unique implementation of the master plan is a requirement for the
Park and Recreation Department to prepare an annual “The State
of the Parks” report. This report will explain what has been
accomplished throughout the year for the parks within Brentwood
and will serve as a tool for both accountability and public relations.
For more information, please contact Carrie Anne Carter, PR Coordinator
for RRM Design Group at (805) 543-1794.
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