Agenda Date: 09/09/2025
Subject:
Title
Presentation and discussion of South Suburban Parks and Recreation District's Hudson Gardens Vision Plan
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by:
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Mike Gent, Deputy City Manager |
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Presentations: |
Nicole Stehlik, South Suburban Parks and Recreation District, Director of Recreation |
PURPOSE:
With South Suburban Parks and Recreation District (SSPRD) assuming operational responsibilities for Hudson Gardens in 2023, it became critical to evaluate the Gardens’ current condition, community aspirations, and future opportunities. This Comprehensive Vision, Strategic, and Facility Plan (Vision Plan) represents a collaborative effort to align Hudson Gardens’ operations, infrastructure, and offerings with the community’s vision and SSPRD’s Master Plan and Strategic goals, ensuring long-term sustainability and relevance.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Vibrant Community with Rich Culture, Sustainable Community with Natural Beauty
DISCUSSION:
Hudson Gardens has experienced decades of growth, the evolution of amenities and programs, and heightened use and community expectation. This visioning process provides an opportunity to pause and assess the impact to the facilities and grounds, listen to the desires of the community, and strategize for the future. At the heart of this Vision Plan is extensive community input gathered through surveys, interviews, public meetings, and interactive events.
BACKGROUND:
The feedback from visitors, volunteers, and neighbors is clear: Hudson Gardens is deeply valued as both a peaceful retreat and an active community gathering space. The community desires a balanced approach, honoring tradition and natural beauty while thoughtfully enhancing events, amenities, and experiences. A shared vision for the future of Hudson Gardens emerged from extensive community input, volunteer and staff observations, and expert analysis through the planning process. It is not a vision of dramatic change, but of sustainable, incremental improvements that are responsive to the desires of the community, honor the history of the site, and respect the peace and natural beauty that Hudson Gardens affords.
Prior Actions or Discussions
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FISCAL IMPACTS:
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STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
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ALTERNATIVES:
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