Strategic planning for parks and recreation (P & R) in municipalities occurs worldwide, but evaluation of the process and content of such planning is scarce. This study evaluated those factors that lead to success in P & R planning in a case study area, the Province of Ontario in Canada. Research revealed the factors required for successful implementation of P & R plans, including 23 factors in planning process; 26 in plan content, 10 in human/implementation, and 13 obstacles to implementation.

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... The research concluded that some of the planning deficiencies found were due to the absence of a coherent provincial policy toward plan development and content. In addition, the research found weakness in the capability of many P & R agencies, and especially those of smaller municipalities to undertake and implement strategic planning. The 71 identified planning factors that play a role in improving plan implementation should be applicable wherever strategic planning for P & R is undertaken.