After a national search, New Brighton, Minnesota hired the Hoisington Koegler Team to prepare a Parks, Recreation and Trails Strategic Plan for the city. HKGi led the strategic planning effort in partnership with the city and with the assistance of recreation experts. The planning process included significant public, stakeholder and city officials' input. Engaging input techniques included a public opinion survey (20% response rate), interviews, focus group sessions with youth, seniors, recreation stakeholders, arts advocates, other cities' recreation peers and golfers. Broader public input opportunities included a Town Forum meeting, neighborhood meetings, interactive web postings and informational displays at the Family Service Center.
The Strategic Plan developed a vision and mission for the Department and put "play" into the City vision statement. The plan emphasizes promotion of active living strategies, raising awareness of recreation facilities and programs and displaying the benefits of parks and recreation across the spectrum of department communications and actions.