City Council should be commended for its commitment to cultivating a system of parks and recreation options that residents deserve. Council members understand the positive impact of a walk through an open space, a round of golf or exercise at a fitness center.

While Greenville can boast the excellent facilities already available, the council's decision to rework the master plan will ensure the city's focus remains fixed on improving the parks and recreation system and bolstering residents' quality of life.

When Sports Illustrated honored Greenville as North Carolina's Sportstown USA in 2004, it was a deserved recognition. The city's Recreation and Parks Department offers more than 500 programs and has 1,300 acres of land available for public use. Under the leadership of former director H. Boyd Lee Jr., who retired in 2006 after nearly 40 years at the helm, the department expanded from a meager seven employees to more than 50, serving the needs of this growing community.

Greenville residents are fortunate to not only have such facilities and open spaces, but that the opportunities available reflect a broad spectrum of interests. From the fairways of Bradford Creek Golf Course to the ramps of the Extreme Park at Jaycee Park, from the exercise equipment of the recently renovated Aquatics and Fitness Center to the many arts and athletics programs offered through the city, Greenville residents have it all.

However, as the city grows it should remain vigilant in ensuring that its parks are of the highest quality and that its recreation programs continue to serve a large and diverse community. Doing so requires sound planning and an eye fixed on the horizon, so the city is not caught flat-footed on crucial needs like land acquisition.

Toward that end, the city intends to update the master plan governing the present and future parks and recreation options for residents. On Monday, the council voted unanimously to hire a Charlotte consulting firm to assist in the process, which will be the master plan's first update since 2000.

Gary Fenton, the department's director, intends to provide citizens every opportunity to participate by holding public meetings and conducting surveys to see how current facilities are used and determining how the department can more effectively meet the public's expectations. In doing so, the city should create a plan that looks 20 years into the future.

Though the city is fortunate to offer residents a bounty of recreation options, its desire to plan for the future is commendable. Citizens would do well to support this effort and become enthusiastic partners in the process.