This is a service / maintenance or supply contract in Stillwater, Minnesota. Contact the soliciting agency for additional information.

Purpose The City of Stillwater is seeking proposals from qualified consulting firms to provide services to develop a Parks Master Plan. The Plan Must: 1. Establish a 20-year vision for the Stillwater Parks system, to meet current and future community needs that promote healthy living. 2. Align with the City of Stillwater's 2040 Comprehensive Plan 3. Assess existing Parks system, to ensure features and amenities (current and future) align with community needs, meet essential standards, and promote visioning through the perspective of a "third space". 4. Review the City's 36 parks to ensure City facilities maximize goals including: creative placemaking, ensure equitable access, and promote diverse experiences that are welcoming to all. 5. Evaluate connections, and usages, with neighboring entities, including Stillwater Area Public Schools, and other trail systems. 6. Review 5-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to ensure infrastructure related needs are aligned with current and anticipated demographic, economic, and recreational trends and preferences. 7. Promote sustainably minded approach for future implementation and enjoyment of parks. 8. Ensure community and stakeholder engagement is a part of the process. Scope of Services The following is a general expectation of tasks required by the consultant. 1. Assess parks, trails and green space; A park inventory will be provided by City staff, but items that shall be evaluated by consultant will include: a. Quality and Condition of Existing assets. b. Ensure City's CIP aligns with initial assessment and make recommended adjustments. Parks buildings/shelters may be reviewed at a high level, but the priority is field space, assets, and accessibility. c. Assess connectedness and accessibility for local (walkshed, bicyclists, and residents generally) as well as regional access d. Review existing built infrastructure and make recommendations for improved accessibility and access measured against National Recreation and Park Association Standards. e. Determine gaps in the parks system and provide opportunities to fill the location that do not have a park within a 15-minute walking distance. f. A review of digital and print materials communicating Park and Trail availability, access, amenities, navigation, and discoverability. g. Review of 2020 demographics providing summary statistics and future anticipations related to families and populations. 2. Engagement. The consultant is expected to participate in community engagement: a. Meet with City officials. i. Staff - Regularly. ii. Parks Commission - Two to three times. b. City Council At least once to present final DRAFT (may be a Council Work Session. c. Plan a community engagement process that will include two open houses and online survey. Open houses should identify future needs in the community and identify unneeded or underutilized assets pen houses. 3. Funding Mechanisms a. Work with staff to understand how current funds are utilized (operational, CIP, etc.). b. Identify potential funding sources, to include current and special revenue sources. c. Work with staff to forecast long-term expenditures. 4. Prepare and deliver Parks Master Plan for adoption by city Council - The Master Plan shall: a. Summarize findings for needs and desired updates, while recognizing challenges and opportunities. i. Projects for each park including priority level ii. Establish a high-level priority of each park considering community feedback. iii. Cost estimate for each project. b. Establish a clear vision, goals, and objectives. These guidelines shall include i. Sustainability (related to implementation, ongoing maintenance, and usage of amenities). ii. Accessible design. iii. Current and future demographics of Stillwater and its visitors. iv. Local, regional, and national trends in recreation. v. Signage/wayfinding/historic resources. 5. Implementation Guidelines a. Prioritize implementation while considering: i. Replacement, consolidation, repurposing, and removal of amenities. ii. Promoting sustainability. iii. Reflect the needs and desires of the community, to promote an inclusive parks system. iv. Ensure equity is considered as a part of decision making. v. Identify how recommendations align with current funding, and identify additional special revenue. Proposal review June 2, 2025 - June 10, 2025. Contract award expected in June 2025. The Master Plan associated with this proposal will commence on or about July 1, 2025. The timeline that is projected for the preparation and completion of the Parks Master Plan is nine months from the City Council award date. Question Deadline 05/21/2025 at 2:00 PM CT Any questions regarding this RFP should be directed via email to ssanders@stillwatermn.gov This solicitation does not commit the City of Stillwater to award a contract, to pay any cost incurred with the preparation of a proposal, or to procure or contract for services or supplies. The City of Stillwater reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals received in response to this request, to negotiate with any qualified source, or cancel in whole or part of this proposal process if it is in the best interest of the City of Stillwater. Following contract negotiations, prospective consultants may be required to submit revisions to their proposals. All proposers should note that any contract in accordance to this proposal is dependent upon the recommendation of the City of Stillwater staff and the approval of the City Council. The method of Contractor Selection has not been Determined at this time.