Recently the Marshall City Council authorized staff to acquire proposals for a recreation feasibility study. This study would ask two questions-what does the future of recreation look like in terms of indoor recreation facility needs and what if any collaboration should the city pursue with the Marshall Area YMCA and others. The reasons for the city to pursue such study are many:

The City of Marshall in January approved a resolution requesting sales tax authorization for an aquatic center and an indoor recreation facility. Since that time, current proposed legislation does not include an indoor recreation facility due the sentiment that additional information would be needed to garner legislature and public support.

Recently, the city received a request from the Marshall Area YMCA to study financial viability and future recreation needs as a community and YMCA. In Minnesota and nationwide, YMCAs and the communities in which they are located have explored or have existing arrangements with cities.

Many comparable communities have developed master park plans which includes analyzing future recreation needs as part of their plans. A master park plan is a road map for planning and completing park improvements and guiding capital investments to ensure the park system serves the needs of the community today and in the future. While this latest request to study future recreation trends and needs will not be a complete master park plan, it can provide future direction and be incorporated into a master park planning process in the future.

Recreation participation is influenced by changing demographics, available resources, and affordability. In recent years and especially since the pandemic, we have seen the popularity of sports or activities change to non-traditional sports such as pickleball, futsal and soccer.

Also participation is gaining in individual activities such as disc golf and increased use of trails for walking and biking.

Fitness technology such as in-home/on-line programs and other tracking programs are on the rise and will continue to grow in the coming years. As a result, traditional gyms and health clubs are expected to be challenged with their current operations.

In October of 2021, the City of Marshall conducted a survey of more than 300 respondents regarding the support for future park and recreation projects and facilities. Respondents were also asked for their likelihood to support the city and the Marshall Area YMCA sharing programs and costs with programs and facilities. Greater than fifty percent (50%) of respondents supported partnerships in the area of senior citizen programs and additional indoor recreation opportunities. In addition, the survey received 74% support for a large indoor play area.

The American Society of Civil Engineers stated in a 2021 report that “parks support economic prosperity, prevent damage from stormwater and build healthy communities, but that despite increased popularity, State parks and local parks face a $5.6 billion and $60 billion deferred maintenance backlog, respectively.” This has meant the capital improvement plans not only need to be focused on streets and public facilities but include parks and recreation. In planning for future expenditures, we need to ensure that the dollars spent on park and recreation facilities and programs will have lasting impact.

Communities thrive when they promote policies and develop infrastructure that encourage sport and recreation. Better community and individual health, higher property values, lower unemployment, and higher graduation rates.

Sports facilities, recreation centers can bring people from the surrounding area and help with overall recruitment of future residents. One recent example of this push with the goal to increase student enrollment, is Southwest Minnesota State University’s (SMSU) bonding request to the state House and Senate capital investment committee to help fund the design of a new wellness and human performance center. Over time, recreation in various forms can drive revenue increases that have a tremendous impact on a community’s economy.

Recreation is constantly evolving with new technologies, trends, cultures, and activities bring changing facility and program needs.

An important responsibility for the City of Marshall is to stay in touch with the latest trends in recreation and work collaboratively with our users, residents, and other affected public recreation providers to make the best decisions for the community and its future.

— Sharon Hanson is the city administrator for the city of Marshall