Recreation Goals, Ojectives, Policies

Goal: Puruse to enhance the quality, availability and access of parks, trails and recreational opportunities for the community's well-being and to continue to make Pulaski County a desirable recreational destination.

Objective 1: Maintain existing parks and facilities

  • Policy 1.1: Establish a capital improvement program to prioritize funding for existing facility needs. (Parks and Recreation Master Plan)
  • Policy 1.2: Maintain, develop, and modify facilities to increase accessibility for people with all abilities. (Parks and Recreation Master Plan)
  • Policy 1.3: Create opportunities for local businesses to sponsor existing facilities and recreational equipment annually. (Parks and Recreation Master Plan)
  • Policy 1.4: The County will pursue partnerships with State Parks to enhance recreational opportunities associated with the parks.

Objective 2: Expand parks and facilities

  • Policy 2.1: Prioritze new facilities in parts of the County that currently have a limited presence of parks and recreation. (Parks and Recreation Master Plan)
  • Policy 2.2: Connect the New River Trail eastward to Pulaski. (Virginia Outdoors Plan)
  • Policy 2.3: Connect Draper Mountain hiking and mountain bike trails to the New River Trail State Park. (Virginia Outdoors Plan)
  • Policy 2.4: Connect nearby neighborhoods and employment centers to parks via trails and sidewalks. (Parks and Recreation Master Plan)
  • Policy 2.5: Establish affordable user fees for new or improved facilities to offset government costs, as needed. (Parks and Recreation Master Plan)
  • Policy 2.6: Diversify facility inventory by investing in non-traditional sports, such as but not limited to: water access, shooting, expanding the trail network, creating spaces for community events, and year-round programs for all citizens. (Parks and Recreation Master Plan)
  • Policy 2.7: Increase native bass population and maintain fishing environments. (Parks and Recreation Master Plan)
  • Policy 2.8: Improve existing boat access and increase the number of access points to the New River and Claytor Lake.

Objective 3: Keep the public informed and actively engaged

  • Policy 3.1: Increase outreach regarding events, facilities, and programs through social media platforms and department website. (Parks and Recreation Master Plan)
  • Policy 3.2: Create opportunities for the public to regularly share their ideas about potential programs, venues, and personal experiences.
  • Policy 3.3: Partner with parks and recreation departments throughout the region to host leagues, events, and tournaments that are beyond the capacity of one department. (Parks and Recreation Master Plan)
  • Policy 3.4: Develop appropriate department policies that properly address customer service. (Parks and Recreation Master Plan)

Objective 4: Promote outdoor recreation opportunities as visitor destinations.

  • Policy 4.1: Partner with the local tourism office and State Park managers to increase annual visitation to County parks, Claytor Lake, and New River Trail State Park. (Parks and Recreation Master Plan)
  • Policy 4.2: Create partnerships with local businesses through sponsorships of events, tournaments, recreational venues, and other community events. (Parks and Recreation Master Plan)
  • Policy 4.3: Earn a reputation as a parks and recreational destination - develop suggested itineraries for visitors interested in spending the day or multiple days in and/or around the County. (Parks and Recreation Master Plan)

Objective 5: Offer programs for all ages and abilities.

  • Policy 5.1: Create new programs for older adults - increase social opportunities and improve public health. (Parks and Recreation Master Plan)
  • Policy 5.2: Increase programs for youth, especially those older than 14 - encourage continued personal development and growth. (Parks and Recreation Master Plan)
  • Policy 5.3: Explore new programs such as on/ in-water activities, shooting sports, pickleball, disc-golf, dance, martial arts, general exercise, etc. (Parks and Recreation Master Plan)
  • Policy 5.4: Create new programs that focus on personal wellness, nutrition, and financial wellbeing. (Parks and Recreation Master Plan)
  • Policy 5.5: Encourage an active arts program in Pulaski County for all ages.
  • Policy 5.6: Create new programs for home maintenance, plumbing, and outdoor lawn care. (Parks and Recreation Master Plan)

Objective 6: Keep the public informed and actively engaged

  • Policy 6.1: Maintain an organization structure that balances program offerings and maintenance of facilities. (Parks and Recreation Master Plan)
  • Policy 6.2: Create opportunities within the department for continued professional development and regular skills training (interacting with the public, using social media, small engine repair, plumbing, etc.). (Parks and Recreation Master Plan)
  • Policy 6.3: Develop strategies to attract and retain volunteers to support existing programs and expand opportunities throughout the community. (Parks and Recreation Master Plan)

Objective 7: Multiple uses of facilities, such as schools, should be encouraged as an efficient use of public resources for parks and recreation programs.

  • Policy 7.1: Use local school facilities to supplement, not to replace County recreational facilities.

Tourism Goals, Ojectives, Policies

Goal: Make Pulaski County an attractive tourism destination. Promote and enhance Pulaski County’s natural assets, traditions, culture and outdoors. Strengthen community character and provide high quality experiences.

Objective 1.1: Protect natural assets, recreational areas and scenic vistas.

  • Policy 1.1.1: Identify natural areas and ensure adjacent uses are compatible.
  • Policy 1.1.2: Develop support for tourism businesses and assets around key recreational areas to enhance their visitor appeal.
  • Policy 1.1.3: Identify tourism corridors and develop land use strategies to protect them.

Objective 1.2: Promote heritage tourism through educational tools, recreational areas, cultural tourism destinations, and economic development tools.

  • Policy 1.2.1: Catalog arts, culture and heritage sites in Pulaski County and andexplore the requirements to place historic sites on the National Register of Historic Places.
  • Policy 1.2.2: Develop promotional materials about areas to highlight heritage tourism.

Objective 1.3: Grow tourism through partnerships, marketing and infrastructure improvements.

  • Policy 1.3.1: Encourage regional alternative transporation projects that will enhance quality of life, regional recreational opportunities, and local tourism resources.
  • Strategy 1.3.1.1: Support efforts to connect the New River Trail State Park to Randolph Park.
  • Strategy 1.3.1.2: Support efforts to connect the County’s trail networks to the Valley to Valley Trail Initiative, linking communities throughout Southwest Virginia.
  • Policy 1.3.2: Promote and support the expansion of the New River Water Trail tourism initiative to develop and enhance recreation and tourism services along the New River and Claytor Lake through marketing efforts, signage, and enhanced river and lake access.
  • Policy 1.3.3: Continue to work with State agencies and tourism organizations to promote Claytor Lake, the New River, the New River Trail State Park, and the Jefferson National Forest as tourist destinations.
  • Policy 1.3.4 Promote County’s activities and events to businesses and work with businesses to capitalize on new market opportunities.
  • Policy 1.3.5 Sponsor detailed study on sources of tourism tax receipt and identify ways to promote these tax revenue sources.
  • Policy 1.3.6 Collect and maintain data about tourism activities to understand trends, support decision making, make sound investments, and to consider and adjust to new opportunities.
  • Policy 1.3.7 Explore the possibility of forming a tourism advisory board with representatives from local businesses, tourist destinations, tourism service providers, as well as representatives from the County government and other agencies.
  • Policy 1.3.8 Strengthen and promote Pulaski County brand by encouraging the wide spread use of the brand in the County’s activities, and product and service offerings, while adhering to brand guidelines. Identify clearinghouse to enforce compliance to branding guidelines.
  • Policy 1.3.9 Incorporate the County branding in signage.