Parks & Recreation Master Plan

The City's Five Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan was adopted on July 20, 2026.

In 2025, the City of Traverse City began updating its Parks and Recreation Master Plan. This plan will help guide the City as it develops and improves its parks and recreation system over the next five years.

A Parks and Recreation Master Plan is a strategic document that guides the development and maintenance of a community’s recreational spaces. It identifies existing facilities, assesses future needs, and outlines goals and actions for improving parks, natural areas, and recreational amenities. Having an approved plan is also a prerequisite for receiving critical state and federal funding—such as grants from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

The City’s current plan is set to expire at the end of 2025. In order to remain eligible for grant opportunities, an approved five-year plan must be submitted to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources by February 1, 2026.

2026/2031 Parks and Recreation Master Plan