Although the integrity of the Olmsted plan is still evident in the Pope Park of today, many elements integral to the original design have disappeared. Updates for modern uses have violated some of the basic design elements. Intrusions by roads, increased volume of vehicular traffic and a lack of formal parking spaces has degraded the health of the lawn.

The Hartford Parks Master Plan, prepared in 1992 by the City of Hartford, addressed the need "for wise stewardship of all parks" and made recommendations for improvements in thirty-two city parks. In 2000, Friends of Pope Park started working with the Pope Hartford Designated Fund and the Knox Parks Foundation to realize the recommendations made in the Hartford Parks Master Plan. The Friends recognized the need for a Pope Park Master Plan which would provide a vision from which to orient all restoration and enhancement efforts.

The Pope Park Master Plan was developed by Carol R. Johnson and Associates and is the result of work by Friends of Pope Park, public meetings, user surveys and historic research. It reflects a thorough examination of the existing conditions and historic elements. Current uses and desired uses are described, and potential park improvement areas are noted. The Master Plan Report describes the costs of the plan, the potential funding sources and the ability to construct the project over a 3 or 10 year time period.