Speaking to Farmville citizens and leadership, representatives of Land Planning & Design Associates (LPDA) unveiled the more than a year’s worth of hard work in detailing what would be needed to maintain and improve the recreation opportunities that are already in the town, and propose a recreation facility that could not only service residents who represent a wide variety of demographics, but also be a draw for tourists and visitors.

As a whole, findings from the presentation and master plan showed that some existing facilities need to be repaired, that staffing may need to be increased for the town recreation department, having a regular concert series may need to be developed, that the area needs a consolidated recreation center that can bring a wider demographic of the community together, that more of the area’s trails should be connected, and installing additional neighborhood parks and creating more options for aquatic activities such as public pools.

One aspect of the presentation that stood out to me was a point made by LPDA representative Tristan Cleveland, who spoke about the importance of area recreation organizations and organizations that serve the public making connections in order to welcome more of our residents into these programs.

Farmville does collaboration well, but it was good to hear a challenge to do more to connect with others and create programs that can further give young people, the elderly, those with disabilities and others accessible ways to play in our growing community.

The meeting, and the efforts from the town’s residents, leaders and LPDA to grow the recreation opportunities in Farmville was exciting and we look forward to better and better developments through this effort.

EMILY HOLLINGSWORTH is a staff reporter for The Farmville Herald and Farmville Newsmedia LLC. Her email address is Emily.Hollingsworth@ FarmvilleHerald.com.