A parks and recreation master plan is being developed for the New Buffalo area. The New Buffalo Area Recreational Authority is a partnership between the City of New Buffalo, New Buffalo Area Schools, and New Buffalo Township. The authority is now in the process of conducting a public survey on recreation needs in the community as part of the development of a five year Parks and Recreation Plan. Planners say the intent is to create an inventory of existing facilities and resources, identify community recreation and open space needs, and set a plan of action for a five-year timeframe. While the plan focuses on the overall recreational needs in the area, it will also contain specific plans for both New Buffalo Township and the City of New Buffalo. New Buffalo City Manager Darwin Watson says by the city and township working together on plans, the effort is “cheaper than if we were to develop them on our own creating additional value for residents of both the city and township.” The New Buffalo Area Recreational Authority has posted a survey online it’s asking residents to take as it begins the process of drafting the master plan.
