Parks Plan
Approved in June 2024, the Burnsville Parks Plan serves as a strategic guide for the future of the city’s parks system. Shaped by community input over ten months, the plan helps City Council and staff prioritize park improvements, ensuring that investments in parks, trails, and open spaces align with resident needs and preserve the quality of these spaces for years to come.
View the 2024 Parks Plan (pdf)
Recreation Services
Recreation services provide spaces and programs to connect, stay active, explore interests and enjoy nature. This study was launched to understand how well our current offerings serve Burnsville residents and where we can grow.
Project Scope
This study will help evaluate and guide:
- The types of programs and activities offered
- Access to and condition of park facilities
- Staff capacity and resource planning
- Community priorities for future services
Community Input
We’re seeking feedback from residents on their experiences and preferences—what’s working, what’s missing, and what’s most important to you.
Take the survey and share your input.
Wayfinding in Our Parks
As part of the broader Parks Plan, this study was launched to evaluate how people find their way through our park system. Good wayfinding helps residents and visitors feel confident, safe and connected while exploring our parks.
Our goal is to make it easier for everyone to explore and enjoy our parks.
Project Scope
The study focuses on:
- Identifying gaps in current signage and navigation tools
- Recommending improvements for signs, maps, and park information
- Enhancing accessibility, consistency, and overall user experience
Community Input
Share how you navigate our park and where you think improvements are needed. Your feedback will help guide strategies that make finding trails, restrooms, play areas and park features more intuitive.
Parks Visioning Plan
The Parks Vision Plan began after a 2024 City Council session highlighted the need for a long-term plan before making major investments in our park system. This plan helps guide improvements and align park updates with community needs.
View the Parks Visioning Plan (PDF)
Project Scope
Phase 1 focuses on 26 neighborhood and community parks that are both well-loved and in need of updates in the next five years. The plan helps prioritize projects, guide maintenance and clearly communicate future goals.
Community Input
We built the plan using feedback from the 2024 Parks Plan process, surveys, open houses, and events like Park-A-Palooza. We also looked at recreation trends and accessibility best practices.
Park Designs
Each park has:
- A base design for short-term improvements (5–10 years)
- A visionary design for long-term goals (10+ years, as funding allows)
Designs focus on safety, accessibility, trail connections and amenity maintenance.