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| The plan |
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The following is the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s Vision Plan and recommended strategies. Please read through the following and let us know, at centennial.horizons@state.or.us, if you agree with our vision, or if you have other ideas for our park system.
Principle 1: Save Oregon’s Special Places
Oregon contains a rich mosaic of natural, historic, and scenic places that must be conserved and expanded for future generations.
Principle 2: Connect People to Meaningful Outdoor Experiences
Oregon statutes mandate that Oregonians and visitors have opportunities for outdoor recreation for physical, spiritual, cultural and scientific benefits. OPRD does this in two ways: supplying outdoor recreation resources that are the responsibility of the state, and leading others to work cooperatively to meet total recreation needs in Oregon.
Principle 3: Take the Long View – Make Parks Last Forever
OPRD practices sustainable management that balances the needs of today’s outdoor enthusiasts with the need to pass on a healthy resource system to future generations.
Principle 4: Strengthen Oregonian’s Connection with their Land
OPRD is a platform for reaching out to Oregon’s citizens, recreation and resource providers and visitors to enhance everyone’s understanding and enjoyment of the outdoors. Interpretation is a primary avenue for this outreach as well as other programs that can inspire people to use and appreciate parks, heritage, trails and waterways.
Principle 5: Build the State Park System with Purpose and Vision
Oregon’s system of parks is emblematic of Oregonian’s outdoor heritage. OPRD properties can serve as gateways to a destination or can be destinations within themselves. Linking OPRD properties to those of others will offer seamless and borderless outdoor opportunities on a regional and local level.
Principle 6: Attract and Inspire Partners
OPRD will work with other recreation/heritage providers, land managers, educators, health providers, communities, advocates, philanthropists, volunteers, and others to offer the best recreational, environmental and cultural experiences possible in Oregon.
Principle 7: Prioritize Based on the Vision
Focus time, energy, talent and funding on those activities that will take OPRD forward in an effective, efficient, and deliberate way. Be creative, collaborative and flexible in finding solutions for how we do business.
Principle 8: Oregon’s Parks will be Tended by People who Love Their Work
An excellent state park system is operated by staff and volunteers who are trained, motivated, challenged and satisfied in all they do. They are committed to professional excellence and to providing memorable experiences for their visitors.
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| Plan's strategies |
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The following document contains our ideas for how to successfully bring our principles to life.
Centennial Horizon Principles and Strategies
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| Why a new plan? |
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Parks are about people’s opportunity to get outside and connect to nature. During the 19th century industrial revolution, parks were built to improve physical health and wellness. Fredrick Law Olmstead created Central Park in New York City with this in mind. The significance of that park on people’s well-being today is beyond measure. While the times are very different, the values remain the same in Oregon’s parks today.
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) provides outdoor recreation to all Oregonians and visitors, and takes the lead and advises all government agencies, organizations, and recreation advocates on how to cooperatively meet Oregon’s recreation needs. Since 1922, OPRD has provided outdoor recreation for "people’s physical, spiritual, cultural and scientific benefits." In that time, Oregon has grown from 30 acres of state parks to 100,000 acres. Most recently, Ballot Measure 66, passed by Oregon voters in 1998, is enabling us to:
- Take proper care of existing parks and natural areas and address a $120 million maintenance backlog.
- Expand Oregon State Parks to meet our growing population needs.
- Offer funding assistance and technical expertise to local park and recreation systems.
With the Centennial Horizon, OPRD is proactively planning for the next 100 years, both as the state recreation leader and as a protector of Oregon’s special places. Oregonians have an outdoor lifestyle and they love parks! These values are critical to Oregon’s standard of living and we want your pride in parks to grow and be passed on to your children. We’ve taken these values and created the Centennial Horizon to act as a guide in developing recreational, cultural, natural and scenic resources. The plan is designed to evolve and change as Oregonians demand change. Open discussions about our values and future direction will be held regularly.
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