Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 10/09/2014

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Thrive Outcomes Thrive's regional vision includes five desired outcomes: stewardship, prosperity, equity, livability, and sustainability. While each outcome is described below, it is important to note that the five outcomes reinforce and support one another to produce greater benefits than any single outcome alone. The outcomes provide policy direction for this 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan. Stewardship Stewardship advances the Council's longstanding mission of orderly and economical development by responsibly managing the region's natural and financial resources, and making strategic investments in our region's future. The region enjoys a bounty of natural resources including three major rivers, over 900 lakes, extensive wetlands, native prairie, woodland habitats, and an abundant groundwater system. The rich natural assets are a part of our regional identity, enhancing our quality of life and supporting a strong economy. However, challenges to the quality and extent of natural resources abound. Prosperity Prosperity is fostered by investments in infrastructure and amenities that make our region competitive in attracting and retaining successful businesses, a talented workforce, and strong economic opportunities. Regional economic competitiveness results from our strategic, long -term public and private decisions that build on and grow our region's economic strengths relative to other regions. Advancing prosperity includes: • Fostering conditions for shared economic vitality by balancing major investments across the region, • Protecting natural resources that are the foundation of prosperity, • Planning for and investing in infrastructure, amenities, and quality of life needed for economic competitiveness, and • Encouraging redevelopment and infill development. Equity Equity means connecting all residents to opportunity and creates viable housing, transportation, and recreation options for people of all races, ethnicities, incomes, and abilities so that all communities share the opportunities and challenges of growth and change. Promoting equity includes: • Using the Council's influence and investments to build a more equitable region • Creating real choices in where we live, how we travel, and where we recreate for all residents, across race, ethnicity, economic means, and ability • Investing in a mix of housing affordability along the region's transit corridors, and • Engaging a full cross - section of the community in decision - making.