Sumner County Parks Master Plan

CSDG partnered with the Parks Department of Sumner County, Tennessee—one of the fastest-growing counties just north of Nashville—to develop a comprehensive, County-wide Parks Master Plan. The goal was to create a long-term roadmap for parks, recreation, and open space that reflected the community’s needs and growth trajectory.

Our team began with an extensive resource and data collection effort, compiling a complete inventory of the County’s existing facilities, programs, and natural areas. We then led a robust public engagement process, hosting community meetings, distributing surveys, and conducting stakeholder interviews to ensure residents shaped the plan. CSDG facilitated the creation of a Parks Advisory Board, bringing together local voices to provide ongoing guidance and build community ownership of the plan.

In addition to visioning and engagement, the team conducted a detailed financial analysis, identifying both short-term and long-term funding opportunities to support implementation. We also developed conceptual designs for priority improvements, including trails, parking facilities, and recreational amenities, to illustrate the plan’s potential in tangible form.

The final product was a 120-page Master Plan document that not only served as a practical guide for decision-makers but also as a clear, compelling vision for the County’s recreational future. In recognition of its excellence in both technical planning and public collaboration, the project earned a 2022 Statewide Merit Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects in the Planning category.