[Massplanners] OSRP Costs?

Thu Oct 7 12:52:41 EDT 2021

Hi all,

We have seen price ranges between $20 and $40K, with the variability due to the scope. The more typical cost recently has been about $25K for a complete plan that meets the requirements of the state guidance (not including the ADA Self-Assessment). Things to consider when pricing:

  *   Do I already have a complete plan that is being updated or are we starting fresh? If we have a plan, are there electronic files (e.g., MSWord, etc.) that we can start with? If the answer to these questions is “yes,” then you can save a lot of effort (and related costs). If not, you might want to square this away “in house” before hiring someone.
  *   How’s my inventory of existing open space properties? Section 5 of the plan can be VERY time consuming if your data are not in good shape. The good news is, once it’s done, it’s a great resource and easily updated. Take a moment to read what the state requires for the inventory and compare it with what you have. This can have a significant impact on effort/cost.
  *   Will the scope include the ADA self-assessment? Will we be asking the consultant to do this and do we have a general sense of how many properties need to be assessed?
  *   At the end of the process, there are some loose ends that might be handled locally. For example, helping to address comments from the state or going to various boards for letters of support. This could be an opportunity to shave off some cost.
  *   What are the expectations around community engagement? A community-wide survey, virtual forums, on-line open house, and appearance at a variety of events/meetings is typical. If this does not sound like enough engagement for your community, then you’ll need to budget accordingly.
  *   What sort of support services should I have during engagement (e.g., translation, meeting interpretation, etc.)? This can be super important and could add costs if not already built into your “community meeting infrastructure.”

Good luck!!
Nate

Nathan Kelly, AICP | Principal
(he/him/his)
Horsley Witten Group, Inc.
55 Dorrance Street, Suite 200 | Providence, RI 02903
Office: 401-272-1717

[hwg-logo-round text]<http://www.horsleywitten.com/>

From: MassPlanners On Behalf Of Laura Brennan via MassPlanners
Sent: Thursday, October 7, 2021 11:50 AM
To: massplanners at masscptc.org
Subject: Re: [Massplanners] OSRP Costs?

This cost sounds in line with what Berkshire Regional Planning Commission estimates for OSRPs in our region currently. Depending on the size of the community and the complexity of recreational asset needs, it may be more or less.

Community Compact Best Practices program is also a good funding source for these plans, especially if CPA is not available or would not permit this use in a given town.

Laura

[cid:image003.jpg at 01D7BB7A.35E3BA40]<http://www.berkshireplanning.org/>

Laura Brennan, Economic Development Program Manager
1 Fenn St., Suite 201 | Pittsfield, MA 01201
O: 413.442.1521 x14
lbrennan at berkshireplanning.org<mailto:lbrennan at berkshireplanning.org>
www.berkshireplanning.org<http://www.berkshireplanning.org/>

From: MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org<mailto:massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org>> On Behalf Of Joseph Laydon via MassPlanners
Sent: Thursday, October 7, 2021 11:41 AM
To: Maren Toohill <MToohill at littletonma.org<mailto:MToohill at littletonma.org>>; massplanners at masscptc.org<mailto:massplanners at masscptc.org>
Subject: Re: [Massplanners] OSRP Costs?

Hi Maren and fellow planners,

When I was in Grafton, we retained CMRPC to update our open space plan.  The cost of our contract was $17,975.  We funded this with CPA funds.

It was good to work with CMRPC because as we found out through the process, we found we needed additional assistance with mapping (we found we did not have accurate information on town owned parcels) and we used technical assistance hours to off-set the added work that was needed.  I’d say to that would have added a few thousand for the extra mapping and analysis work.

Hope that helps.

Joe

_________________________________
Joseph Laydon
Town of Littleton
Assistant Town Administrator
37 Shattuck Street
Littleton, MA 01460
jlaydon at littletonma.org<mailto:jlaydon at littletonma.org>
978-540-2460

From: MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org<mailto:massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org>> On Behalf Of Maren Toohill via MassPlanners
Sent: Thursday, October 7, 2021 11:17 AM
To: massplanners at masscptc.org<mailto:massplanners at masscptc.org>
Subject: [Massplanners] OSRP Costs?

**THIS EMAIL WAS SENT BY AN EXTERNAL SENDER**
Hi All –
Looking for information on the cost to update your Open Space and Recreation Plan? Any pitfalls or successes?
Thanks for sharing,
Maren

Maren A. Toohill, AICP
Town Planner
978/540-2425
MToohill at littletonma.org<mailto:MToohill at littletonma.org>
Town of Littleton

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