Document Type
Professional Plan Capstone
Original Publication Date
2026
Client
Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation
Location
Chesterfield County, Virginia
Date of Submission
May 2026
Keywords
Urban and regional planning, park classification system, parks and recreation, park planning, level of service, cluster analysis, GIS, public space planning, Chesterfield County Virginia, quantitative research, quantifying parkland
Abstract
This plan evaluates and redefines the park classification system for Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation to improve how parks are understood, managed, and planned over time. It responds to limitations in the County's existing acreage-per-capita level of service (LOS) standard, which does not accurately account for park function, provision of amenities, or equitable distribution in relation to population density. Using a comprehensive park inventory and SPSS two-step fixed cluster analysis, the study developed and evaluated three alternative classification models consisting of four, five, and six park categories. Findings indicate that park function is strongly defined by amenity composition than acreage, with playground presence being determined as the most influential variable in distinguishing park types. Several groupings, including athletic complexes, conservation areas, multifunctional parks, family-oriented parks, and single purpose/minimal amenity parks consistently grouped together across all models, suggesting stable, function-based classifications. The plan recommends three typology options that balance usability, flexibility, and planning precision at different levels, and offers decision pathways to assist the clients in selecting and refining the final typology. The proposed framework shifts the County's park system away from generalized acreage standards toward a classification approach grounded in park function to better sustain community needs, supporting more informed planning, reinvestment, and resource allocation decisions.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects